Biochemistry Chapter 1: The Chemistry of Life

The study of how chemical reactions occur within living organisms, focusing on the interactions of atoms and molecules to support life processes.

Chemical reactions that occur within a living organism to sustain life. These reactions involve the building up or breaking down of molecules.

The process of forming new chemical bonds between atoms.

A molecule that acts as an energy carrier within cells. It stores energy in its chemical bonds and releases it when needed.

Chemical reactions that create larger molecules from smaller ones, usually requiring energy input.

Chemical reactions that break down large molecules into smaller ones, usually releasing energy.

The chemical processes that take place to create or break down molecules within the cell.

The study of the structure and function of cells, the fundamental unit of life.

The number of protons in an atom's nucleus. It determines the element.

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

Elements that exist naturally as molecules containing more than two atoms. Examples include phosphorus and sulfur.

Atoms of a particular element that have a specific mass number, denoting the number of protons and neutrons in their nucleus.

A fundamental building block of matter, composed of a dense, positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons.

Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom.

Positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom.

An atom with a net positive charge due to losing one or more electrons.

An atom with a net negative charge due to gaining one or more electrons.

The outermost electron shell of an atom, which participates in chemical bonding.

A chemical bond formed by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

A three-dimensional arrangement of ions held together by ionic bonds.

The number of electrons an atom needs to gain, lose, or share to achieve a stable electron configuration.

A substance formed by the ionic bonding of a metal and a non-metal.

The process of an atom gaining or losing electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.

Molecules that contain carbon atoms are called organic compounds.

A molecule that lacks carbon atoms is considered inorganic.

Carbon can bond with up to 4 other atoms.

The ability of carbon to bond with other carbon atoms allows for the formation of different structures, like straight chains, branched chains and rings.

Hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and carbon are the most common atoms involved in biological systems.

Organic compounds that contain a specific group of atoms called functional groups have specific characteristics due to their unique properties.

Isomers are molecules with the same chemical formula but different structures.

The four main types of macromolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.

Simple organic molecules composed solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms.

A hydrocarbon with the molecular formula CH4, having a tetrahedral structure. It's the simplest alkane and the main component of natural gas.

A hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C2H6, containing two carbon atoms linked by a single bond, and each carbon atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms.

A hydrocarbon with the molecular formula C6H6, containing six carbon atoms arranged in a closed ring with alternating single and double bonds. It's a cyclic organic compound.

The shape of a molecule determined by the arrangement of its atoms in space.

A chemical bond where atoms share a pair of electrons.

The ability of a molecule to dissolve in a solvent, typically water.

The movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration.

A functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group. It has the general formula COOH. It is acidic and can donate a proton (H+) to form a carboxylate ion.

A functional group consisting of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms. It has the general formula NH2. It is basic and can accept a Proton (H+) to form an ammonium ion.

The unique chemical group attached to the alpha carbon atom of an amino acid. It determines the chemical properties of each amino acid.

The carbon atom in an amino acid that is bonded to the amino group, carboxyl group, and the R-group.

A molecule that serves as a building block for proteins. Each amino acid contains an amino group, a carboxyl group, an R-group, and a central carbon atom.

A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

A powerful anti-inflammatory agent used to treat leprosy, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, certain conditions associated with AIDS, and other diseases.

A type of immune response that causes inflammation and can be damaging if excessive.