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Unit 2: The Chemistry of Life: Water, Macromolecules, Enzymes Vocab Flashcards

Test prepe for water molescules, macromolecules, pH, and enzymes.

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522472043Water PropertiesHigh heat capacity; polar; molecules of water cling together; a great solvent; liquid at room temp; frozen water is less dense then liquid water.
522472044Polar MoleculeA molecule in which one side of the molecule is slightly negative and the opposite side is slightly positive.
522472045CohesionAttraction between molecules of the same substance.
522472046AdhesionAttraction between molecules of different substance.
522472047Capillary ActionA process powered by adhesion that causes water molecules to move upward through a narrow tube such as the stem of a plant.
522472048Surface TensionThe tightness across the surface of water that is caused by the polar molecules pulling on one another.
522472049Hydrogen BondsBond created by the weak attraction of a slightly positive hydrogen atom to a slightly negative portion of another molecule. (holds strands of DNA double helix together)
522472050Enzyme SpecificityThe ability of an enzyme to catalyze the reaction of only a single type of molecule or group of closely related molecules.
522472051CatalystA substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction.
522472052Active SiteThe specific portion of an enzyme that attaches to the substrate by means of weak chemical bonds.
522472053SubstrateThe substance acted upon by an enzyme.
522472054OptimumMost favorable condition or greatest degree or amount possible under given circumstances.
522472055ProteinsMade of C,H, O and N (nitrogen), basic building block are amino acids (20). Purpose = enzymes control rates of reactions, builds bones & muscles, tissue, hair, nails, transports substances, fights disease, provides energy Example: Actin/myosin- help muscles contract
522472056CarbohydratesMade of C, H, O (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen), basic building block or monomer is glucose. Purpose = main source of energy. Examples: polysaccharides: many chains of sugar starch-hundreds of polysaccharides joined glycogen-starch like substance produced in animals and stored in the liver cellulose-found only in plants, give plants support
522472057DenatureA change in the shape of a protein (such as an enzyme) that can be caused by changes in temperature or pH (among other things).
522472058SynthesisThe process of producing a chemical compound (usually by the union of simpler chemical compounds).
522472059LipidsMade of C, H and 0 (mostly C and H), building block are triglycerides (glycerol and 3 fatty acids). Purpose = provides energy, helps in metabolic processes, provides insulation, makes up cell membranes. Examples: waxes, oils, steroids...
522472060Nucleic AcidsMade of C, H, O, N, P & S (phosphorous/sulfur), basic building block are nucleotides (sugar,phosphate and nitrogen base). Purpose = stores genetic information, blueprint for making proteins. Examples: DNA and RNA
522472061Amino AcidsBuilding blocks of protein.
522472062GlucoseA monosaccharide sugar that has several forms.
522472063GlycerolOrganic compound, combines with fatty acids to make lipids.
522472064Fatty AcidsSimple forms of fat that supply energy fuel for most of the body's cells.
522472065NucleotidesBasic units of DNA molecule, composed of a sugar, a phosphate, and one of 4 DNA bases.
522472066pHA value that indicated the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0-14, based on the proportion of H+ ions.
522472067AcidHaving a pH lower than 7.
522472068NeutralHaving a ph of 7.
522472069Base (alkaline)Having a pH greater than 7.
522472070Organic CompoundsCompounds that contain carbon.
522472071Inorganic CompoundsCompounds that do not contain carbon.
522472072MonomerA simple compound whose molecules can join together to form polymers.
522472073PolymerA long molecule consisting of many similar or identical monomers linked together.
522472074MacromoleculesLarge molecules that are formed by joining smaller organic molecules together. (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids)

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