When they

1. Acquire, use energy
2. Made of 1+ cells
3. Process Information
4. Capable of Replication
5. Product of Evolution

• Water-based environment
• Hydrothermal vents
• Catalyzed by minerals
• Synthesis of complex molecules stimulated by heat, concentration

1. Oxygen is highly electronegative, draws electrons toward itself - slight negative charge on O, slight positive charge on both H.

1. Polarity creates weak, important hydrogen bonds b/n water molecules.
2. Water = excellent solvent

the concentration of H+ in solution

pH = -log[H+]

A solution in which H+>OH-

An proton DONOR

A solution in which OH->H+

A proton ACCEPTOR

• Resist changes in pH
• Ability to accept or donate H+
• don't ionize completely or dissociate

• Amino
• Part of amino acids - build proteins
• Act as a base, attract H+ --> NH₃⁺
• 
  

• 2 Kinds: [image]
• Aldehydes contribute to some sugars
• Aldehydes react w/ HR₂ compounds to produce larger molecules

[image]

• Family: carboxylic Acids
• Tends to act as acid - tends to lose H+ proton

• Hydroxyl
• Make alcohols
• HIGHLY POLAR - make compounds more soluble thru Hydrogen bonding with Water

• Contribute to Nucleic Acids, Lipids
• When several are linked, breaking O-P bonds bn them release a lot of energy

• Sulfhydryl
• Family: thiols
• In proteins, can form disulfide (S-S) bonds, contribute to protein structure.

• super long protein
• microscopic spring
• pulls muscle fiber back in shape

• polymer of amino acids
• linked by covalent bond called Peptide Bond
• Dehydration reaction bn carboxyl of one and amino of other

1. Primary - can observe peptide bonds and functional groups
2. Secondary - alpha helices, beta pleated sheets
3. Tertiary - hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interactions, S-S bonding, ionic bonding between different sections within a strand (easily disturbed)
4. Quaternary - overall shape, can see units/subunits