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Microbiology: Biochemistry Basics

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Termini in questo insieme (33)

  • What is an atom?
    An atom is the smallest unit of an element, consisting of a nucleus with protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.
  • What are the charges of subatomic particles?
    Protons are positively charged, neutrons are neutral, and electrons are negatively charged.
  • What defines an element's atomic number?
    The atomic number equals the number of protons in an atom and uniquely identifies the element.
  • What is an ion?
    An ion is a charged atom with an unequal number of protons and electrons.
  • Difference between cation and anion?
    Cations are positively charged ions (lost electrons), anions are negatively charged ions (gained electrons).
  • What are isotopes?
    Isotopes are atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
  • Define molecule and compound.
    A molecule is two or more atoms bonded together; a compound is a molecule made of different elements.
  • What is a molecular formula?
    A molecular formula shows the types and numbers of atoms in a molecule.
  • Difference between organic and inorganic molecules?
    Organic molecules contain carbon and hydrogen; inorganic molecules may lack hydrogen.
  • What are functional groups?
    Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that determine chemical properties and reactions.
  • Name key biologically important functional groups.
    Alcohol (R-OH), Amine (R-NH2), Carboxyl (R-COOH), Ester (R-COO-R'), Methyl (R-CH3), Phosphate (R-PO4^2-), Sulfhydryl (R-SH).
  • What is an acid and a base in aqueous solutions?
    Acids add hydrogen ions (H+) to solution; bases add hydroxide ions (OH-).
  • What is a salt in chemistry?
    Salts form when acids and bases react, combining anions from acids and cations from bases.
  • What does the pH scale measure?
    The pH scale measures the acidity or basicity of a solution based on hydrogen ion concentration.
  • What is a buffer?
    A buffer stabilizes pH by absorbing or releasing hydrogen ions to maintain a constant pH.
  • What are valence electrons?
    Valence electrons are electrons in the outermost shell that participate in chemical bonding.
  • Difference between ionic and covalent bonds?
    Ionic bonds form by transfer of electrons creating charged ions; covalent bonds form by sharing electron pairs.
  • What is a polar covalent bond?
    A polar covalent bond involves unequal sharing of electrons, creating partial positive and negative charges.
  • What are hydrogen bonds?
    Hydrogen bonds are weak electrostatic attractions between polar molecules or within large molecules.
  • Define hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and amphipathic molecules.
    Hydrophilic molecules dissolve in water; hydrophobic molecules repel water; amphipathic molecules have both properties.
  • What is a synthesis reaction?
    A synthesis reaction builds larger molecules from smaller reactants, often releasing water (dehydration synthesis).
  • What is a decomposition reaction?
    A decomposition reaction breaks down molecules into smaller components, often adding water (hydrolysis).
  • What is activation energy?
    Activation energy is the minimum energy required to start a chemical reaction.
  • Difference between endergonic and exergonic reactions?
    Endergonic reactions require more energy than they release; exergonic reactions release more energy than they require.
  • What are the four main classes of biomolecules?
    Carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.
  • What are the building blocks of carbohydrates?
    Simple sugars called monosaccharides.
  • What type of bond links monosaccharides?
    Glycosidic bonds formed by dehydration synthesis.
  • Difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?
    Saturated fats have no double bonds and are solid at room temperature; unsaturated fats have double bonds and are liquid.
  • What are nucleotides composed of?
    A five-carbon sugar, one or more phosphate groups, and a nitrogenous base.
  • What is the difference between DNA and RNA nucleotides?
    DNA contains deoxyribose sugar and thymine; RNA contains ribose sugar and uracil.
  • What are proteins made of?
    Proteins are polymers of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
  • Name the four levels of protein structure.
    Primary (amino acid sequence), secondary (alpha-helices and beta-sheets), tertiary (3D folding), quaternary (multiple polypeptide chains).
  • What role do chaperone proteins play?
    Chaperones assist in proper protein folding to achieve functional structure.