Microbiology Chapter 2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What are electrons?

Uncharged particles

Negatively charged subatomic particles (correct)

Positively charged particles

Atoms

What does the nucleus contain?

Neutrons and protons

What are neutrons?

Uncharged particles

What are protons?

Positively charged particles Signup and view all the answers

What is matter?

Anything that takes up space and has mass Signup and view all the answers

What are atoms?

The smallest chemical units of matter Signup and view all the answers

What are the three models that illustrate the structure of atoms?

Atomic structure, isotopes, electron configurations Signup and view all the answers

What is an element?

Composed of a single type of atom Signup and view all the answers

What does atomic number equal?

The number of protons in the nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What is atomic weight?

Sum of masses of protons, neutrons, and electrons Signup and view all the answers

What parts of the atom interact to determine the atom's chemical behavior?

Electrons Signup and view all the answers

What are valence electrons?

Electrons in the outermost shell that interact with other atoms Signup and view all the answers

What are isotopes?

Elements that differ in number of neutrons in their nuclei Signup and view all the answers

What are unstable isotopes?

Elements that release energy during radioactive decay Signup and view all the answers

What are chemical bonds?

When atoms combine by sharing or transferring valence electrons Signup and view all the answers

What is a molecule?

Two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds Signup and view all the answers

What is a compound?

A molecule composed of more than one element Signup and view all the answers

What is a covalent bond?

Sharing a pair of electrons by two atoms Signup and view all the answers

What is electronegativity?

Attraction of an atom for electrons Signup and view all the answers

What are the three principal types of chemical bonds?

Nonpolar covalent bonds, polar covalent bonds, ionic bonds Signup and view all the answers

What are hydrogen bonds?

Weak forces that combine with polar covalent bonds Signup and view all the answers

What are nonpolar covalent bonds?

Atoms with similar electronegativities that share electrons equally Signup and view all the answers

What are organic compounds?

Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen atoms Signup and view all the answers

What are polar covalent bonds?

Bonds that have unequal sharing of electrons Signup and view all the answers

What are ionic bonds?

Bonds that occur when two atoms of vastly different electronegativities come together Signup and view all the answers

What are salts?

Crystalline ionic compounds Signup and view all the answers

What two components form ionic bonds?

Cations and anions Signup and view all the answers

What are the three categories of chemical reactions?

Synthesis, decomposition, exchange Signup and view all the answers

How do hydrogen bonds help stabilize the 3-D structure of large molecules?

By forming weak attractions between molecules Signup and view all the answers

What are chemical reactions?

The making or breaking of chemical bonds Signup and view all the answers

What are the two components of a chemical reaction?

Reactants and products Signup and view all the answers

What is metabolism?

All the synthesis reactions in an organism Signup and view all the answers

What are synthesis reactions?

Involve the formation of larger, more complex molecules Signup and view all the answers

What are decomposition reactions?

Break bonds within larger molecules to form smaller atoms or molecules Signup and view all the answers

What is catabolism?

All the decomposition reactions in an organism Signup and view all the answers

What are exchange reactions?

Involve breaking and forming covalent bonds Signup and view all the answers

What helps to stabilize the 3-D structure of large molecules?

Hydrogen bonds Signup and view all the answers

What are characteristics of water?

Cohesive, solvent, remains liquid across a wide range of temperatures, absorbs energy without changing temperature, participates in many chemical reactions Signup and view all the answers

What are electrolytes?

Cations and anions of salt Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of electrolytes?

Create electrical differences, transfer electrons, important components of enzymes Signup and view all the answers

What is an acid?

Dissociates into one or more H+ and one or more anions Signup and view all the answers

What is a base?

Binds with H+ when dissolved in water Signup and view all the answers

What does the pH scale measure?

Concentration of H+ in solution Signup and view all the answers

What are buffers?

Prevent drastic changes in internal pH Signup and view all the answers

What two things must be in balance for metabolism?

Acids and bases Signup and view all the answers

What are functional groups?

Atoms that appear in certain common arrangements Signup and view all the answers

What are macromolecules?

Lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids Signup and view all the answers

What are monomers?

Building blocks of macromolecules Signup and view all the answers

What are organic macromolecules?

Contain carbon and hydrogen Signup and view all the answers

What does hydrophobic mean?

Insoluble in water Signup and view all the answers

What are the four groups of lipids?

Fats, phospholipids, waxes, steroids Signup and view all the answers

What are waxes?

Contain one long-chain fatty acid covalently linked to long-chain alcohol Signup and view all the answers

What are carbohydrates?

Organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of carbohydrates?

Energy storage, structural components, cell wall formation, convert to amino acids Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of carbohydrates?

Monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides Signup and view all the answers

What are proteins?

Macromolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of proteins?

Structure, enzymatic catalysis, regulation, transportation, defense Signup and view all the answers

What are amino acids?

The monomers that make up proteins Signup and view all the answers

How many amino acids are used to build proteins by most organisms?

21 Signup and view all the answers

What are side groups?

Affect how amino acids interact with one another Signup and view all the answers

What is a peptide bond?

A covalent bond formed between amino acids Signup and view all the answers

What are DNA and RNA?

Genetic material of organisms Signup and view all the answers

What does RNA do?

Helps form polypeptides Signup and view all the answers

What are nucleotides?

Monomers that make up nucleic acids Signup and view all the answers

What are the three parts of nucleotides?

Phosphate, pentose sugar, nitrogenous base Signup and view all the answers

What are the five cyclic nitrogenous bases?

Adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, uracil Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of pentose sugar?

Deoxyribose or ribose Signup and view all the answers

How do nucleic acids hybridize?

H bonds form between C and G and T and A in DNA Signup and view all the answers

What is DNA's structure?

Double stranded in most cells and viruses Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of nucleic acids?

Control synthesis of RNA and proteins Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Subatomic Particles and Atoms

Electrons: Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus.
Nucleus: Comprises neutrons (neutral particles) and protons (positively charged particles).
Atoms: The smallest units of matter, forming the basic building blocks of elements.
Matter: Any substance that has mass and occupies space.

Atomic Structure

Atomic Number: Represents the number of protons in the nucleus, defining the element.
Atomic Weight: The combined mass of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom.
Isotopes: Variants of elements that differ in their neutron count, affecting stability.

Chemical Bonds

Chemical Bonds: Formed when atoms share or transfer valence electrons, leading to molecule formation.
Covalent Bonds: Occur when two atoms share pairs of electrons.
Ionic Bonds: Form when atoms with significant differences in electronegativity transfer electrons to each other.
Hydrogen Bonds: Weak attractions between a partially positive hydrogen atom and a partial negative charge in another atom.

Types of Reactions

Metabolism: Encompasses all chemical reactions within an organism, involving synthesis and breakdown processes.
Types of Reactions:
- Synthesis: Formation of complex molecules from simpler ones.
- Decomposition: Breakdown of larger molecules into smaller units.
- Exchange: Involves both breaking and forming bonds.

Characteristics of Water

Water exhibits cohesion and acts as an effective solvent.
Remains liquid over a wide range of temperatures and can absorb energy without significant temperature change.
Participates in numerous chemical reactions in biological systems.

Electrolytes and pH

Electrolytes: Ionic compounds like salts that dissociate into cations and anions, maintaining electrical balance in cells.
Acids and Bases: Acids release H+ in solution, whereas bases bind with H+; both are crucial for metabolic balance.
Buffers: Substances that prevent drastic pH changes, ensuring stability in biological systems.

Macromolecules

Four main categories: lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids.
Monomers: Basic building blocks of macromolecules, such as amino acids in proteins.
Lipids: Include fats, phospholipids, waxes, and steroids with specific functions in energy storage and membrane structure.

Proteins

Made up of amino acids, which are composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur.
Perform vital functions, including enzymatic activity, structural support, and transport.

Nucleic Acids

Composed of nucleotides, which include a phosphate, a pentose sugar, and nitrogenous bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, uracil).
DNA serves as genetic material, existing predominantly as double-stranded molecules, while RNA plays a crucial role in protein synthesis.

Functional Groups and Interaction

Functional Groups: Specific groups of atoms within molecules that determine their chemical properties and reactions.
Hydrophobic: Describes substances that do not dissolve in water, important for structure and functionality of biological membranes.

Use these concise notes for a clear and organized overview of essential microbiological concepts regarding atomic structure, chemical bonds, metabolic processes, and biomolecular functions.

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Description

Explore key concepts in Microbiology with these flashcards from Chapter 2. Each card provides essential definitions of fundamental terms such as electrons, protons, and atoms. Perfect for students looking to strengthen their understanding of atomic structures and subatomic particles.