Introduction to Biochemistry latest updated

atom The basic unit of matter. protons subatomic particle with positive charge found in the nucleus of an atom neutrons subatomic particle with no charge (neutral) found in the nucleus of an atom electrons subatomic particle with negative charge found in energy levels outside the nucleus valence electrons electrons found in the outermost energy level that are involved with bonding element pure substance, consisting of only 1 type of atom (like sodium) compound substance formed from the chemical combination of two or more elements in definite proportions isotope atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons ion charged atom formed when atom either loses electron(s) (and becomes + charged) or gains electron(s) becoming negatively charged ionic bonds involve a transfer of electrons and produces ions. Happens only between metals and nonmetals covalent bonds electrons are shared between atoms. Occurs between two nonmetals or in diatomic molecules. chemical reaction process by which atoms or groups of atoms in substances are reorganized into different substances chemical equation chemical formulas and symbols describe the substances in the reaction and arrows indicate the process of change reactants starting substances in a chemical reaction found on the left side of the (arrow) equation products substances formed during the reaction and found on the right side of the (arrow) chemical equation activation energy the minimum amount of energy needed for reactants to form products in a chemical reaction enzyme a special type of protein called a catalyst because it speeds up a chemical reactions in cells by lowering the activation energy substrate the item that the enzyme catalyzes active site the spot on the substrate where the enzyme "fits" or bonds; enzymes are specific and act like a lock in a key fitting into the active site on the substrate polarity the uneven distribution of electrons between atoms in a covalent bond; water is polar- the hydrogen end is slightly positive and the oxygen end is slightly negative cohesion molecules of water are attracted to each other due to the polarity of the water molecule/example: surface tension of water adhesion when water molecules are attracted to molecules of other substances/example: water on the sides of a graduated cylinder or capillary action mixtures two or more elements or compounds that are physically mixed together, but not chmically combined and they can be separated physically solution homogeneous mixture/ the same throughout examples koolaid, saltwater solute substance being dissolved like salt in salt water usually the smaller amount solvent substance that dissolves usually the larger amount like water in saltwater in fact water is called the universal solvent because it can dissolve so many things acid substance that releases hydrogen ions in solution/they measure below 7 on pH scale/ the lower the pH, the stronger the acid base substance that releases hydroxide ions in solution/ pH above 7 higher the number the stronger the base pH scale indicates the concentration of H+ ions in a solution 7 is neutral, above 7 is basic, below is acidic carbohydrates composition: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen function:main source of (immediate) energy and used for structural purposes carbohydrates sugars (saccharides) and starches also known as monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides lipids examples: steroids, fats, oils, and waxes composition mostly carbon and hydrogen function: to store energy and waterproof coverings nucleic acids examples: DNA & RNA function: to store and transmit genetic information proteins examples: enzymes function: somes control the rate of reactions and regulate cell processes; some used to form bones and muscles; others transport substances into or out of cells or help fight disease building blocks (monomers) of proteins amino acids building blocks of nucleic acids nucleotides building blocks of carbohydrates monosaccharides (simple sugars) glucose Substance with pH of 6 would be a acid substance with a pH of 7.5 would be slightly basic the atomic number tells you.... the number of protons an atom has and if the atom isn't charged (not an ion) also the number of electrons How do you find the number of neutrons in an atom? mass number - atomic number