Introduction to Biochemistry
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41 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 atom | The basic unit of matter. |
| protons | subatomic particle with positive charge found in the nucleus of an atom |
| neutrons | subatomic particle with no charge (neutral) found in the nucleus of an atom |
| electrons | subatomic particle with negative charge found in energy levels outside the nucleus |
| valence electrons | electrons found in the outermost energy level that are involved with bonding |
| element | pure substance, consisting of only 1 type of atom (like sodium) |
| compound | substance formed from the chemical combination of two or more elements in definite proportions |
| isotope | atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons |
| ion | charged atom formed when atom either loses electron(s) (and becomes + charged) or gains electron(s) becoming negatively charged |
| ionic bonds | involve a transfer of electrons and produces ions. Happens only between metals and nonmetals |
| covalent bonds | electrons are shared between atoms. Occurs between two nonmetals or in diatomic molecules. |
| chemical reaction | process by which atoms or groups of atoms in substances are reorganized into different substances |
| chemical equation | chemical formulas and symbols describe the substances in the reaction and arrows indicate the process of change |
| reactants | starting substances in a chemical reaction found on the left side of the (arrow) equation |
| products | substances formed during the reaction and found on the right side of the (arrow) chemical equation |
| activation energy | the minimum amount of energy needed for reactants to form products in a chemical reaction |
| enzyme | a special type of protein called a catalyst because it speeds up a chemical reactions in cells by lowering the activation energy |
| substrate | the item that the enzyme catalyzes |
| active site | the spot on the substrate where the enzyme "fits" or bonds; enzymes are specific and act like a lock in a key fitting into the active site on the substrate |
| polarity | the uneven distribution of electrons between atoms in a covalent bond; water is polar- the hydrogen end is slightly positive and the oxygen end is slightly negative |
| cohesion | molecules of water are attracted to each other due to the polarity of the water molecule/example: surface tension of water |
| adhesion | when water molecules are attracted to molecules of other substances/example: water on the sides of a graduated cylinder or capillary action |
| mixtures | two or more elements or compounds that are physically mixed together, but not chmically combined and they can be separated physically |
| solution | homogeneous mixture/ the same throughout examples koolaid, saltwater |
| solute | substance being dissolved like salt in salt water usually the smaller amount |
| solvent | substance that dissolves usually the larger amount like water in saltwater in fact water is called the universal solvent because it can dissolve so many things |
| acid | substance that releases hydrogen ions in solution/they measure below 7 on pH scale/ the lower the pH, the stronger the acid |
| base | substance that releases hydroxide ions in solution/ pH above 7 higher the number the stronger the base |
| pH scale | indicates the concentration of H+ ions in a solution 7 is neutral, above 7 is basic, below is acidic |
| carbohydrates | composition: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen function:main source of (immediate) energy and used for structural purposes |
| carbohydrates | sugars (saccharides) and starches also known as monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides |
| lipids | examples: steroids, fats, oils, and waxes composition mostly carbon and hydrogen function: to store energy and waterproof coverings |
| nucleic acids | examples: DNA & RNA function: to store and transmit genetic information |
| proteins | examples: enzymes function: somes control the rate of reactions and regulate cell processes; some used to form bones and muscles; others transport substances into or out of cells or help fight disease |
| building blocks (monomers) of proteins | amino acids |
| building blocks of nucleic acids | nucleotides |
| building blocks of carbohydrates | monosaccharides (simple sugars) glucose |
| Substance with pH of 6 would be a | acid |
| substance with a pH of 7.5 would be | slightly basic |
| the atomic number tells you.... | the number of protons an atom has and if the atom isn't charged (not an ion) also the number of electrons |
| How do you find the number of neutrons in an atom? | mass number - atomic number |
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