Basic Chem Flashcards
Define chemistry
Science of the structure and interactions of matter
Define mass
Amount of matter in any living organism or nonliving thing
How many elements in periodic table
118
Common elements in human body
(H) hydrogen, (C) carbon, (O) oxygen, (N) nitrogen, (K) potassium, (Na) sodium, (Fe) iron, (Ca) calcium
How many elements in human body
26
What are the major elements and percentage present in human body
Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen. 96%
What are the lesser elements and percentage found in human body
(Ca) calcium, (P) phosphorus, (K) potassium or kalium, (S) sulfur, (Na) sodium or natrium, (Cl) chorine, (Mg) magnesium, (Fe) iron or ferrium. 3.6%
How many trace elements are in the human body
14
What element is needed for thyroid hormones
(I) iodine
What element is needed for RBC’s to make hemoglobin
(Fe) iron
An atom consists of what basic parts
Nucleus and 1 or more electrons
What is the negatively charged “cloud” surrounding a nucleus
Electron shell
Atomic number
The number of protons in the nucleus
Mass number
Total number of protons plus neutrons in an atom
If an atom either gives up or gains electrons developing an electrical charge causing unequal balance
Ion
Positive charged ions
Cation
Negative charged ions
Anions
2 or more atoms share electrons resulting in combination of atoms of the same element
Molecule
Molecule containing atoms of 2 or more different elements
Compound
Unstable ion or molecule that can be destructive with unpaired electron on outer shell
Free radical
Positively charged ions and negatively charged ions attracted to each other
Ionic bond
2 or more atoms that bond in a way to produce a chemically stable arrangement of 8 electrons on outer shell
Octet rule
Ionic bonds are mainly found in what
Teeth and bones
An ionic compound that breaks apart into cations and anions when dissolved
Electrolyte
What are the functions of an electrolyte
Control water movement, maintaining acid-base balance, produce nerve impulse
What bond shares electrons
Covalent
Which bonds break down or dissolve in water
Ionic
What is the most common chemical bond in body
Covalent
Covalent bond that results in sharing 1 electron
Single covalent bond
Atoms share electrons equally
Nonpolar covalent bond
Atoms that share electrons unequally
Polar covalent bond
Important example of Polar covalent bond in living systems
Water - oxygen and hydrogen
Polar covalent bond formed with hydrogen atoms
Hydrogen bond
What are hydrogen bonds the result of
Attraction of oppositely charged molecules rather than sharing of electrons
What is the difference between ionic, covalent and hydrogen bonds
Hydrogen bonds are weakest, they establish important links between water molecules, proteins and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Define chemical reaction
Occurs when new bonds form and/or bonds break between atoms
What do chemical reactions result in
Body structures are built and body functions are carried out, processes that involve transfer of energy
2 main forms of energy
Potential energy - energy stored by matter
Kinetic energy - energy of matter in motion
What forms of energy are deprived from potential energy
Chemical energy - from foods you eat
Mechanical energy - used to walk/talk
Heat energy - maintain body temperature
Define synthesis reaction
2 or more atoms, ions, or molecules combine to form new and larger molecules “to put together”
Define decomposition reactions
Molecule is split apart, referred to as catabolism
Define exchange reactions
Reactions in the body exchange or “switch partners” consist of both synthesis and decomposition reactions
Define reversible reactions
Can go in either direction under different conditions, indicated by 2 half arrows pointing opposite directions
Define metabolism
The sum of all chemical reactions in the body
What are the two main classes of compounds
Inorganic and organic
What is the difference between inorganic and organic compounds
Inorganic lacks carbon, organ always contains carbon
Examples of inorganic compounds
Water, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, acids, bases, salts
Examples of organic compounds
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Why is water important
Makes up 55-60% of body mass
Excellent solvent, participates in chemical reactions, absorbs and releases heat slowly, lubricates
What is the PH scale
Acidity and alkalinity of molecules on a scale of 0-14
pH scale of water
7
What does it mean when solution is more acidic (pH below 7)
Solution that has more H+ than OH-
What does it mean when a solution is more alkaline (pH above 7)
Solution has more OH- than H+
What is the change on the pH scale representing a 10-fold change in number of H+
pH of 6 is 10 times more acidic than a pH of 7; pH of 9 is 100 times more alkaline than a pH of 7
Define buffer systems
Bodies way to maintain pH
What is the pH of blood
7.35 - 7.45
How does homeostasis apply to pH
pH of fluids inside and outside of cells remain almost constant via buffer system
What is an example of a buffer system
Carbonic acid - bicarbonate
What two systems are constant in body to maintain balance
Synthesis and decomposition
The forces that are crucial to the folding of large proteins and contribute to surface tension
Hydrogen bonds
What makes amino acids
Proteins
What happens when pH is not maintained
The breaking of hydrogen bonds and denaturation of proteins
Define acid
Molecules that donate H+ or accepts OH-
Define base
Donates OH- or accepts H+
