First Exam Flashcards
(158 cards)
form covalent bonds with carbon
- other carbons
- oxygen
- hydrogen
- nitrogen
- sulfur
special arrangements of atoms within a biomolecule
functional group
support life as we know it
acid and bases
- have hydrophobic properties that help form the cell membrane
- is a selectively permeable barrier between what is inside and outside the cell
hydrocarbons
important component of cell membranes
stearic acid H3C(CH2)16COOH
a biologically important hydrocarbon containing 4 rings
cholesterol
- forms the hard exoskeleton of arthropods
- composed entirely of N- acetylglucosamine units
N-acetylglucosamine/ chitin
when 4 different atoms are bonded to a single carbon, there are 2 different spatial configurations possible
stereoisomers
four broad biomolecular classes
carbohydrates, nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids
will not assume their biologically functional conformations in the absence of water
proteins
will not come together to form a cell membrane when no water is present
lipids
cannot be made soluble in a non-aqueous solvent and hence will not enter glycolysis
glucose
water properties
- functions as the universal solvent in biological systems
- compromises 75-85% of a cell’s weight
- makes up extracellular environment
three properties of water which are critical to supporting life
- cohesiveness
- temperature- stabilization
- capacity to function as a solvent
cohesiveness
- water molecules form hydrogen bonds that join themselves to one another
- one H can form one H bond with one oxygen, one oxygen can form TWO H bonds with TWO h atoms
- water molecules form 3.5 H bonds in an instant
water’s cohesive properties
- high boiling point: water can absorb high levels of heat without damaging the cell
- high specific heat: enables water to heat and cool slowly
- high heat of evaporation: amount of heat energy needed to change water from a liquid to a gaseous state
water solvent properties
the most critical property that contributes to its supporting life
- water creates a strong attraction, enough to break ionic bonds
- function as a shield that reduces the formation of ionic compounds
- maintain ionic substances in a solubilized state
spheres of hydration
substances that are ionic at a neutral pH
carboxyl, phosphate, and amino groups
cannot solubilize in water
hydrophobic molecules
[H+]=10^-4 has a pH value of
4
a ____ pH value corresponds with a _____ [H+] and hence a _____ acidity
higher; lower; lower
substances that DONATE protons
acids
have less capacity to donate protons
weak acids