A&P - Chapter 3 (Part 3) Flashcards
Organic molecules
Contain at least one carbon atom and at least one carbon-carbon covalent bonds and/or carbon-hydrogen covalent bond in each molecule
Inorganic molecules
Have few carbon atoms and do not have carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds
What are 2 examples of inorganic molecules?
- Water
2. Some acids, bases and salts
What molecule is the most abundant and important compound in the human body? Why?
Water
- has unique properties that make it important to all bodily functions
What are the 4 properties of water?
- Polarity
- Solvent
- High specific heat
- High heat of vaporization
Polarity
Allows water to act as an effective solvent in the body
- it ionizes substances in solution
Solvent
Allows transportation of essential materials throughout the body
High specific heat
Water can lose or gain large amounts of heat with little change in its own temperature
- how much heat goes in to make it 1 deg warmer
What does high specific heat enable?
It enables the body to maintain a relatively constant temperature
High heat of vaporization
Water requires the absorption of significant amounts of heat to change it from a liquid to a gas
- allows the body to dissipate excess heat
Why do you drink lots of fluids when you have a fever?
You want to pee and it will change the temperature in your body
- you are releasing heat so your body will cool down
Dehydration synthesis
Water is removed from small molecules so they can be strung together to form a larger molecule
Hydrolysis
Water is added to the subunits of a large molecule to break it apart into smaller molecules
What 2 molecules are closely related to cellular respiration?
- Oxygen
2. Carbon dioxide
What is oxygen required for?
To complete decomposition reactions necessary for the release of energy in the body
What does carbon dioxide do? (2)
- Produces a waste product
2. Helps maintain the appropriate acid-base balance in the body
Electrolyte
A molecule that dissociates or breaks apart, in water to form individual ions
- an ionic compound
What solvent do ionic compounds normally dissolve in? What does it result in
- Water
2. Results in a dissociation and forms free ions that are electrically charged
What do water molecules form when they are dissociated?
Equal amounts of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions
Acid
Substance the shifts the H+/OH- balance in favour of the H+
- has more H+
Base
Substance that shifts the H+/OH- balance against H+
- has less H+
What is another word for base?
Alkaline
pH
Is a mathematical expression/unit of measurement used to express the H+ concentration of a solution
What is the range of pH for an acid?
1-6
What is the range of pH for a base?
8-14
What is the range of pH for a neutral?
7
What is the most basic part in your body?
Pancreas
What is the most acidic part in your body?
Stomach
Buffers
Are chemical systems that absorb excess acids and bases and thus maintain relatively stable pH (homeostasis)
Neutralization
Occurs when strong acid and strong bases are mixed and form salts and waters
- eg) HCl + NaOH –> H2O + NaCl
What do strong acids do when they are put in water?
They completely dissociate
What do weak acids do when they are put into water?
They do not completely dissociate
- partially ionize
