Elements of Life – AP Biology Flashcard
What are the primary elements of life?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur.
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What are the primary elements of life?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur.
Role of Carbon in biological molecules?
Carbon forms the backbone of organic molecules like carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Why is carbon versatile?
Carbon can form four covalent bonds, allowing it to create complex molecular structures.
Function of Hydrogen in organisms?
Hydrogen is essential in water, energy production, and is part of many organic compounds.
Hydrogen's role in energy production?
Hydrogen helps form ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of the cell.
Role of Oxygen in cellular respiration?
Oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, driving ATP production.
Why is oxygen important in organisms?
Oxygen is vital for aerobic respiration, and is part of water and many biomolecules.
Nitrogen's role in proteins?
Nitrogen is a key component of amino acids, which form proteins essential for cell function.
What does nitrogen form in the genetic material?
Nitrogen is found in nucleotides, which form DNA and RNA, the carriers of genetic information.
Phosphorus' role in energy transfer?
Phosphorus is part of ATP, which stores and releases energy for cellular processes.
Importance of Phosphorus in DNA/RNA?
Phosphorus forms part of the backbone of DNA and RNA, linking nucleotides together.
Sulfur's role in proteins?
Sulfur is present in certain amino acids like cysteine, forming disulfide bonds that stabilize proteins.
How does sulfur contribute to detoxification?
Sulfur helps in detoxifying harmful substances in the body.
What is the role of oxygen in metabolism?
Oxygen participates in oxidative reactions that break down nutrients and release energy.
How is nitrogen involved in ecosystems?
Nitrogen plays a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle, converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.
Phosphorus' role in cell membranes?
Phosphorus is part of phospholipids, which form the cell membrane bilayer.
Sulfur's role in vitamins and coenzymes?
Sulfur is a component of vitamins like biotin and thiamine, which are involved in metabolism.
Why is phosphorus important for bones?
Phosphorus, in the form of calcium phosphate, helps in the formation of bones and teeth.
Carbon's role in energy storage?
Carbon-containing molecules like carbohydrates and fats store energy for cellular processes.
How does hydrogen affect molecule solubility?
Hydrogen forms hydrogen bonds, increasing the solubility of molecules in water.
What is nitrogen fixation?
Nitrogen fixation is the process where nitrogen gas is converted into a form usable by plants and organisms.
Why is sulfur essential in plants?
Sulfur is needed for amino acids, vitamins, and coenzymes in plants, aiding in metabolism and growth.
Role of phosphorus in gene transcription?
Phosphorus is necessary for the process of gene transcription, allowing genetic information to be read.
What are nucleotides?
Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA and RNA, containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sugar molecules.
Why are amino acids important?
Amino acids, which contain nitrogen and sulfur, are the building blocks of proteins that support cell structure and function.