The difference(s) between covalent and hydrogen bonds

Full Answer Section

• • They are not formed by sharing electrons but by electrostatic attraction.  
  • Hydrogen bonds are crucial for the properties of water, the shape of proteins and DNA, and many other biological functions. They are the forces that hold water molecules together.  

I. Up-Close: Molecules of Life:

1. Molecules of Life and Their Subunits:

   • a. Energy-storing molecule, typically water soluble - Carbohydrates
   • b. Subunits are called monosaccharides - Carbohydrates
   • c. Used to speed chemical reactions - Proteins  
   • d. Subunits are joined to each other with peptide bonds - Proteins  
   • e. Most prevalent molecule in cell membranes - Phospholipids (a type of lipid)
   • f. Some of them function as hormones - Lipids (specifically steroids) and Proteins  
   • g. Used for storing, transmitting, and executing genetic information - Nucleic acids  
   • h. Subunits are nucleotides - Nucleic acids

2. Lipids Exception:

   • a. Nucleic acids

   • Nucleic acids are not lipids. Fatty acids, triglycerides, steroids, and phospholipids are all examples of lipids.

Sample Answer

1. Covalent vs. Hydrogen Bonds:

• Covalent Bonds:
  • These are strong chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.  
  • They create stable molecules, as the shared electrons fill the outer electron shells of the atoms involved.  
  • Covalent bonds are responsible for holding atoms together within a single molecule (e.g., the bonds within a water molecule, H₂O).  
• Hydrogen Bonds:
  • These are weak intermolecular forces that occur when a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom (like oxygen or nitrogen) is attracted to another electronegative atom.