introductions to biological molecules Flashcards
What is covalent bonding?
Atoms share a pair of electrons in their outer shells which allow both atom’s outer shells to be filled and become more stable and it forms a molecule.
What is ionic bonding?
Ions with opposite charges attract to each other, the electrostatic force of attraction is the ionic bond.
What is hydrogen bonding?
Molecules are polar as their electrons are not evenly distributed so their charge is unevenly distributed. The negative region of one polarised molecule is attracted towards the positive region of another polarised molecule forming a weak electrostatic bond - hydrogen bond.
List them from the strongest to the weakest in terms of their bonding strength.
Covalent, ionic, hydrogen.
How are polymers formed?
Polymers are formed by joining monomers together through a process of polymerisation.
Give 2 examples of industrialized and natural polymers.
Industrial- polythene, polyester.
Natural- polysaccharides, polypeptide
What is a condensation reaction ?
When forming polymers by polymerisation, each time when a new sub-unit is attached, a molecule of water is formed.
Give 2 examples of a condensation reaction.
amino acids —-) polypeptide
monosaccharide glucose —-) polysaccharide starch.
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
When polymers are broken down through the addition of water, it breaks the bonds that link the sub-units.
Give 2 examples of a hydrolysis reaction.
polypeptide —-) amino acids
starch —-) glucose
Further examples of condensation and hydrolysis reaction.
nucleotides (—-) nucleic acids
monosaccharides (—-) polysaccharides (carbohydrates)
fatty acids + glycerol (—-) lipids
amino acids (—-) polypeptides (proteins)
What is metabolism?
All the chemical processes that take place in the living organism.
