In this unit, we learned about the chemistry of life. The first thing we learned about was atoms. The three subatomic parts are neutrons,protons, and electrons. Neutrons and protons make up the nucleus at the center of the atom, and the electrons revolve around it. Material made out of one type of atom is called an element. Two or more elements come together to form a compound. Atoms also form bonds. Ionic bonds are formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another. Double ionic bonds are formed when two electrons are shared. Covalent bonds are formed when atoms are shared between two atoms.
Water works well due to it polarity or unequal distribution of electrons. Its oxygen has a negative charge, but the two hydrogen have a positive charge. Water also is very cohesive, meaning it has a strong attraction with molecules of the same substance. It is also very adhesive, meaning it also has a strong attraction with molecules of different substances. Because of these properties, water makes a great solvent. A solution is a mixture of equal components. A solute is what is being dissolved and a solvent is what the solute is dissolved in. Suspensions have an unequal distribution of the substances. Different substances can also have different levels of acid or bases. The pH scale is used to measure that. The more H+ ions, the more acidic something is. The less H+ ions, the more basic something is. 7 on the pH scale is neutral. Anything lower than 7, from 0 to 6 is acidic. Anything higher than seven, 8-14 is basic.
Four main macro molecules make organic compounds- carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Carbohydrates are sugars. They are made up of rings of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Producers use it to store energy and consumers use it as a source. Monosaccharides are one ring of sugar, disaccharides are two, and polysaccharides are three rings or more. Lipids are long chains of carbon and hydrogen and most are nonpolar. They are used for energy storage, make up cell membranes,and make hormones. There are two types- saturated fats and unsaturated fats. Proteins are used for structure. Nucleic acids are used mainly for carrying out and passing out genetic information. Enzymes are catalysts that help reaction go faster by lowering activation energy. They work best in certain pH and temperature or else they become denatures/deformed.
The themes were mainly the four macro molecules, their structure and function. Enzymes were pretty important as well. I think this unit went pretty well, the only confusing part was the different structures and functions of the macromolecules because there were so many. I think I would like to learn more about nucleic acids. We focused A LOT on carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and enzymes which mostly have to do with energy and structure of organisms. However, we talked very little about nucleic acids. How exactly do they write the genetic code? How do they carry it out? How can the information for a whole organism be written by a few nucleic acids? What is the structure of DNA?
Water works well due to it polarity or unequal distribution of electrons. Its oxygen has a negative charge, but the two hydrogen have a positive charge. Water also is very cohesive, meaning it has a strong attraction with molecules of the same substance. It is also very adhesive, meaning it also has a strong attraction with molecules of different substances. Because of these properties, water makes a great solvent. A solution is a mixture of equal components. A solute is what is being dissolved and a solvent is what the solute is dissolved in. Suspensions have an unequal distribution of the substances. Different substances can also have different levels of acid or bases. The pH scale is used to measure that. The more H+ ions, the more acidic something is. The less H+ ions, the more basic something is. 7 on the pH scale is neutral. Anything lower than 7, from 0 to 6 is acidic. Anything higher than seven, 8-14 is basic.
Four main macro molecules make organic compounds- carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Carbohydrates are sugars. They are made up of rings of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Producers use it to store energy and consumers use it as a source. Monosaccharides are one ring of sugar, disaccharides are two, and polysaccharides are three rings or more. Lipids are long chains of carbon and hydrogen and most are nonpolar. They are used for energy storage, make up cell membranes,and make hormones. There are two types- saturated fats and unsaturated fats. Proteins are used for structure. Nucleic acids are used mainly for carrying out and passing out genetic information. Enzymes are catalysts that help reaction go faster by lowering activation energy. They work best in certain pH and temperature or else they become denatures/deformed.
The themes were mainly the four macro molecules, their structure and function. Enzymes were pretty important as well. I think this unit went pretty well, the only confusing part was the different structures and functions of the macromolecules because there were so many. I think I would like to learn more about nucleic acids. We focused A LOT on carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and enzymes which mostly have to do with energy and structure of organisms. However, we talked very little about nucleic acids. How exactly do they write the genetic code? How do they carry it out? How can the information for a whole organism be written by a few nucleic acids? What is the structure of DNA?
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