Unit 2- Nature’s Chemistry Flashcards
(28 cards)
Aldehyde
An organic compound with a carbonyl functional group (C=O) at the end of the molecule.
Alkanals
A homologous series of aldehydes based on the corresponding alkanes by changing one of the terminal carbon atoms into a carbonyl group.
Alkanones
A homologous series of keystones based on the corresponding alkanes by changing one of the middle chain carbon atoms into a carbonyl group.
Amide links
A group of atoms formed by condensation polymerisation of amino acids during the formation of proteins. The amide link can be identified as -CO-NH and occurs where each pair of amino acids has joined together.
Condensation
Reaction in which two molecules combine to form a larger molecule at the same time eliminating a small molecule such as water.
Denaturing
Physical alteration of the molecular shape of a protein (or other molecule) as a result of temperature or pH changes.
Electronegativity
A measure of the ability of an atom to attract a bonded pair of electrons- the more electronegative, the stronger the attraction.
Enzymes
Protein molecules which act as catalysts in biological processes.
Essential amino acids
Amino acids which must be present in a humans diet as they cannot be synthesised by the body.
Free radicals
Atoms or molecules containing unpaired electrons
Free radical scavengers
Molecules which can react with free radicals to form stable molecules and prevent chain reactions.
Heterolytic fission
Bond breaking in a polar covalent bond, where both of the shared electrons go to only one of the two atoms producing ions.
Homolytic fission
Bond breaking in a polar covalent bond, where the two shared electrons separate equally, not going to each atom.
Hydrogenation
The addition of hydrogen to a carbon to carbon multiple bond
Hydrolysis
The breakdown of a molecule by the chemical action of water.
Ketone
An organic compound with a carbonyl functional group (C=O) within the carbon chain
Oxidisation
A loss of electrons by a reactant in any reaction, or in organic chemistry, an increase in the oxygen to hydrogen ratio in a molecule
Peptide links
An amide link which is found in a living organism (in proteins)
Polyunsaturated
Molecule which has more then one carbon to carbon unsaturated bond.
Proteins
Biological polymers of small molecules called amino acids.
Redox reaction
A reaction in which one reactant gains electrons and another reactant loses electrons.
Reduction
The gain of electrons by a species, or, in organic chemistry, a reaction which results in a decrease in the oxygen to hydrogen ration in a molecule .
Saponification
The process by which soaps are made from fats and oils in a hydrolysis reaction.
Terpenes
One of the primary constituants of essential oils.
Unsaturated hydrocarbons formed by joining together units of 2-methylbuta-1,3-diene.
