Hydrogen Bonds and Water Properties Quiz

Hydrogen Bonds

• A hydrogen bond is a weak interaction occurring between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom and another electronegative atom.
• In water, hydrogen bonds form between the hydrogen atoms of one water molecule and the oxygen atom of another, contributing to its unique properties.

Amino Acids

• An amino acid has a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH), a hydrogen atom, and an R group (side chain).
• The R group varies among amino acids and determines their specific characteristics and functions.

R Group Options for Amino Acids

• The three options for the R group can include:
  • Aliphatic (non-polar) groups
  • Aromatic (ring structure) groups
  • Polar or charged groups that can participate in chemical reactions and interactions.

Properties of Water

• Water has a high specific heat capacity, allowing it to absorb significant amounts of heat without a large temperature change.
• Its polarity leads to strong hydrogen bonding, making water a solvent for many biological substances.
• Water exhibits a high surface tension due to cohesive forces among molecules.

Functions of Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates provide immediate energy sources for cells through glucose.
• They serve as structural components in organisms, such as cellulose in plant cell walls.
• Carbohydrates are involved in cell recognition processes and signaling through glycoproteins and glycolipids.

Functions of Proteins

• Proteins act as enzymes, catalyzing biochemical reactions essential for life.
• They provide structural support and shape to cells and tissues, exemplified by collagen and keratin.
• Proteins play key roles in transport and storage of molecules, such as hemoglobin transporting oxygen in blood.

Hydrogen Bonds in DNA

• Hydrogen bonds hold together the complementary nitrogenous bases in the DNA double helix, specifically between adenine-thymine and guanine-cytosine pairs.