03- Chemistry and Biochemistry I Flashcards
Explain what is meant by an ‘ion’?
An ion is a charged atom. An atom that has either gained or lost an electron.
Give the chemical symbol for Potassium.
K
Name the THREE subatomic particles and give their weight and
charge.
Proton: Positive charge and weight 1
Neutron: No charge and weight 1
Electron: Negative charge and weight nothing
Explain what is meant by an ‘isotope’. Give ONE example.
Chemical elements that are the same element but with a different number of neutrons.
So they have different atomic masses.
Example: Carbon 12 and carbon 14
Describe the association between Iodine and Fluorine.
They’re in the same group in the periodic table.
They’re both in grp 7.
Important because they’ve got similar chemical reactivity but fluorine is much more powerful than iodine.
So fluorine in excess in our daily life can cause iodine out of the way and can compromise thyroid function.
How many electrons are required to fill the second electron shell?
8
Describe what happens in ionic bonding.
Where 1 atom/element give an electron to another atom creating a positive and negative charged ions that are attracted to each other.
Name the FOUR most electronegative elements.
Fluorine, Chlorine, Nitrogen & Oxygen.
Give an example of a polar molecule.
The most common one that makes up 70% of the human body is water.
Explain what is meant by the ‘universal solvent’.
Water’s unique ability to disolve anything with polar bonds or with ionic compounds so things with positive & negative ions.
Explain what is meant by “universal solvent”
Water’s unique ability to disolve anything with polar bounds or ionique compounds.
So with a positive or negative charge.
Give TWO functions of electrolytes in the human body.
- Nervous and muscular system
- Acid base balance
- Water balance within the body
Explain the role of ‘buffer systems’. Name the main one.
They are there to help to maintain pH, and the main one is the bicarbonate buffer system found in the blood stream.
What could create ‘acidity’ in the body?
What is a free radical? Explain how antioxidants work.
What is meant by a ‘biological catalyst’?
When water is the medium that breaks down the molecule, it is
known as what type of reaction?
What do the terms ‘oxidation’ and ‘reduction’ mean?
Name TWO functional groups found in all amino acids.
What biological molecule would you find an ester bond in?
Give a definition of ‘Biochemistry’.
Name TWO monosaccharides.
Explain what is meant by an isomer?
What is the name of the type of bond between two
monosaccharides?
