Protons
determine the element (atomic number)
Neutrons
determine the isotope
Protons + neutrons in nucleus = _______
atomic mass
Electrons
Free Radicals
(unpaired electrons): want to bind to something, can attack proteins etc
Molecules
2 or more atoms sharing electrons
Covalent Bonds
Ionic Bonds
- Opposite charges attract
Hydrogen Bonds
- Water surface tension
Van der Waals forces
Weak and nonspecific
Aqueous
water based
Solution
solute dissolved in solvent (ex. sweet tea: solute (sugar) + solvent (tea))
Solubility
ease of dissolving (how readily we can dissolve the solute into the solvent)
Hydrophilic
likes to dissolve in water, high solubility
Hydrophobic
doesn’t like to dissolve in water, low solubility (ex. oil in water)
pH
Measure of the concentration of free H+
-very narrow window in which we need to function properly
Acid
Contributes to H+ solution –> can add H to the solution, lower pH
Buffer
moderates changes in pH
ex. in blood plasma, pH is stabilized by bicarbonate (HCO3-)
Carbohydrates
Polysaccharides
important because they give structural components, big players in cellular recognition *FUEL SOURCE
Lipids
Saturated VS Unsaturated Fats
Saturated: no double-bonds, equally bound between C and H, NO more room for H
Unsaturated: had room to bind more H, double-bonds between C
Triglycerides
Lipid-Related Molecules