Biology Chapter 2 Flashcards

Nucleic Acids

• Nucleic acids consist of RNA and DNA, essential for genetic information storage and transfer.

pH and Hydrogen Ion Concentration

• The difference in hydrogen ion concentration between solutions of pH 4 and pH 5 is tenfold.
• pH measures the amount of hydrogen ions in a solution, crucial for understanding acidity and alkalinity.

Electron Shells

• The first electron shell can hold a maximum of 2 electrons.
• The second electron shell can hold up to 8 electrons.
• The third electron shell also holds a maximum of 8 electrons.

Cations

• Sodium ions and calcium ions are examples of cations, positively charged due to the loss of electrons.

Thyroid Gland Function

• The thyroid gland uses iodine in synthesis reactions, critical for metabolism regulation.

Water Molecule Polarity

• Water is a polar molecule, with slight charges due to unequal sharing of electrons between oxygen and hydrogen.

Chemical Reactions

• A decomposition reaction is symbolized by the equation AB → A + B.
• Hydrolysis is involved when table sugar breaks down into glucose and fructose.

Organic and Inorganic Compounds

• Classify compounds based on their compositions and properties as organic or inorganic.

Subatomic Particles

• Electrons are the subatomic particles that participate in chemical bond formation.
• Isotopes of an element vary in the number of neutrons, leading to different atomic weights.

Protein Structure and Function

• Proteins are classified based on their chemical structure and functions in the body, including enzymes and structural components.

Organic Compounds

• Lipids are hydrophobic; triglycerides consist of three fatty acids bonded to glycerol, while phospholipids have two fatty acids and a phosphate group.
• Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, connected by peptide bonds.

Ionizing Radiation

• Exposure to ionizing radiation, like cosmic and gamma radiation, can harm cells and potentially cause cancer.

Nucleotide Composition

• Nucleotides, the building blocks of nucleic acids, consist of a nitrogenous base, a 5-carbon sugar, and a phosphate group.

Chemical Bonding

• Covalent bonds involve the sharing of a pair of electrons between two atoms; atoms will adjust electron shells to achieve stability.

Glycogen Storage

• Glycogen is primarily stored in the liver and skeletal muscles, serving as a form of energy storage.

Miscellaneous Facts

• A water solution with equal numbers of hydrogen and hydroxide ions is considered neutral.
• Sodium chloride is categorized as an inorganic compound, contrasting with organic compounds like carbohydrates and lipids.
• The atomic weight of an element with 8 protons, 8 electrons, and 8 neutrons is 16.