Home / AP Biology : 1.3 Introduction to Biological Macromolecules.- Study Notes

AP Biology : 1.3 Introduction to Biological Macromolecules.- Study Notes

D. Compounds

➢ Compound occurs as result of 2 or more individual elements combining in a fixed ratio

  •  Different properties of individual elements
  •  Formed by chemical reaction

➢ Bonds that hold compounds together

  •  Ionic bonds
             ■ $\text{nonmetal+metal}$
             ■ One or more electrons is transferred from one atom to another
             ■ One atom loses electrons (becomes positively charged) while the other gains electrons (becomes negatively charged)
             ■ Results from attraction of two oppositely charged ions
             ■ Cation has a positive charge
             ■ Anion has a negative charge
             ■ Cation and anion form to create ionic bond
  •  Covalent bonds
              ■ $\text{nonmetal+nonmetal}$
              ■ Molecule consists of 2 or more atoms held together by covalent bonds
              ■ Formed when electrons are shared between atoms
              ■ In nonpolar covalent bond, electrons are shared equally
              ■ In polar covalent bond, electrons are shared unequally
              ■ In a single covalent bond, one pair of electrons is shared
                              ● Double covalent when 2 pairs are shared, etc.
             ■ Structural formula used to represent atoms and bonding
                           ● Ex. $\text{H-H}$
             ■ Molecular formula abbreviates structural formula
                          ● Ex. ${H_2}$
    Electronegativity is an atom’s attraction for the atoms in a covalent bond
        • The more electronegative an atom, the more strongly it pulls shared electrons toward itself
  • Hydrogen bonds
              ■ Hydrogen atom covalently bonds to one electronegative ato is also attracted to another electronegative atom
              ■ In living cells, hydrogen bonds are usually oxygen or other nitrogen atoms
    ○ Van der Waals Interactions
             ■ Weakest
             ■ If electrons are distributed asymmetrically in molecules or atoms, they can result in “hot spots” of positive or negative charge
             ■ Attractions between molecules that are close together as a result of these charges
                     ● How geckos climb
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