Basic Chemistry Flashcards
1
Q
Acids
A
A substance that liberates hydrogen ions when in an aqueous solution; proton donor; compare with base.
2
Q
Active Sites
A
Region on the surface of a globular protein (such as an enzyme) where it fits and interacts chemically with other molecules
3
Q
Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP)
A
A modified nucleotide with two phosphates instead of one.
4
Q
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
A
Energy source used by all cells
5
Q
Alpha-helix
A
Secondary structure of protein folding in which the amino acid chain coils into a shape like a spring.
6
Q
Amino acids
A
An organic compound containing nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; the building block of protein.
7
Q
Atomic mass
A
The sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom; also known as mass number.
8
Q
Atomic weight
A
Average of the mass numbers of all the isotopes of an element.
9
Q
Atomic symbol
A
A one- or two-letter symbol indicating a particular element.
10
Q
Bases
A
A substance that accepts hydrogen ions; proton acceptor
11
Q
Beta-pleated sheet
A
Secondary structure of protein folding in which side-by-side amino acid chains fold into a ribbonlike structure similar to an accordion.
12
Q
Buffer
A
A substance or substances that help to stabilize the pH of a solution.
13
Q
Carbohydrates
A
Organic compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
14
Q
Chemical energy
A
Energy form stored in chemical bonds
15
Q
Chemical reactions
A
Process in which molecules are formed, changed, or broken down
16
Q
Cholesterol
A
Found in cell membranes. Most important steroid.
17
Q
Compound
A
Substance composed of two or more different elements, the atoms of which are chemically united.
18
Q
Covalent bonds
A
A bond involving the sharing of electrons between atoms.
19
Q
Decomposition reactions
A
Molecule is broken down
20
Q
Dehydration synthesis
A
process by which a larger molecule is synthesized from smaller ones by removal of a water molecule at each site of bond formation
21
Q
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
A
nucleic acid found in all living cells: carries the organism’s hereditary information
22
Q
Disaccharides
A
Two simple sugars joined by dehydration synthesis
23
Q
Electrical energy
A
energy form resulting from the movement of charged particles
24
Q
Electrolytes
A
a substance that breaks down into ions when in solution and is capable of conducting an electric current.
25
Electron shells
the region of space around an atomic nucleus where electrons are found, also called energy level.
26
Electrons
negatively charged subatomic particle; orbits the atomic nucleus
27
Elements
Fundamental units of matter
28
Energy
the ability to do work
29
Enzyme
Binds to substrates at an active site to catalyze reactions
30
Exchange reactions
a chemical reaction in which bonds are both made and broken; atoms become combined with different atoms
31
Fatty acids
a building block of fats - saturated and unsaturated
32
Fibrous (structural) proteins
Binds structures together
33
Globular proteins
Active sites fit and interact chemically with other molecules
34
Glucose
the principal sugar in the blood; a monosaccharide
35
Glycerol
a sugar alcohol; one of the building blocks of fats
36
Hydrogen bonds
weak bond in which a slightly positive hydrogen is attracted to the negative portion of a polar molecule
37
Hydrolysis
the process in which water is used to split a substance into smaller particles
38
Inorganic compounds
a compound that lacks carbon; for example, water
39
Ionic bonds
bond formed by the complete transfer of electron(s) from one atom to another (or others). The resulting charged atoms, or ions, are oppositely charged and attract each other
40
Ions
an atom with a positive or negative electric charge.
41
Isotopes
different atomic form of the same element. Isotopes vary only in the number of neutrons they contain
42
Kinetic energy
energy of motion
43
Lipids
organic compound formed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; examples are neutral fats and cholesterol.
44
Matter
anything that occupies space and has mass
45
Mechanical energy
energy form directly involved in putting matter into motion
46
Molecules
particle consisting of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds
47
Monomers
single repeating unit that combines to form a polymer
48
Monosaccharides
Simple sugar, contains 3 to 7 carbon atoms
49
Neutral fats
dietary fats; also called triglycerides
50
Neutralization reaction
a chemical reaction that occurs between an acid and a base
51
Neutrons
uncharged subatomic particle; found in the atomic nucleus
52
Nucleic acids
class of organic molecules composed of nucleotides
53
Nucleotides
building block of nucleic acids
54
Orbital model
atomic model that describes the regions around the atomic nucleus where electrons are likely to be located
55
Organic compounds
a compound containing carbon; examples include proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
56
Periodic table
a chart listing known elements and their properties.
57
pH
the symbol for hydrogen ion concentration; a measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution
58
Phospholipids
A lipid containing a phosphate group. Main component of cellular membranes
59
Planetary model
simplified atomic model that describes fixed round orbits around the atomic nucleus as likely locations where electrons can be found.
60
Polymers
a long, chainlike molecule consisting of many similar or repeated units.
61
Polysaccharides
Long, branching chains of linked simple sugars
62
Potential energy
stored energy; energy at rest
63
Proteins
Built from amino acids
64
Protons
subatomic particle that bears a positive charge; located in the atomic nucleus
65
Radiant energy
energy of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes heat, light, ultraviolet waves, infrared waves, and other forms.
66
Radioisotopes
isotope that exhibits radioactive behavior
67
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
the nucleic acid that contains ribose; acts in protein synthesis
68
Salt
ionic compound that dissociates into charged particles (other than hydrogen or hydroxyl ions) when dissolved in water.
69
Saturated fats or fatty acids
fatty acid chains with only single carbon bonds
70
Steroids
Organic compound with a structure containing 4 rings of carbon atoms
71
Synthesis reactions
chemical reaction in which larger molecules are formed from simpler ones
72
Triglycerides
compounds composed of fatty acids and glycerol; fats and oils; also called neutral fats.
73
Unsaturated fats or fatty acids
fatty acids that contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms
74
Valence shell
the outermost energy level of an atom that contains electrons; the electrons in the valence shell determine the bonding behavior of the atom.
75
What elements make up 96% of the body?
Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen
76
What is the relationship between elements and atoms?
Elements are made up of atoms
77
Name the subatomic particles found in an atom and where they are located.
Proton - located in the nucleus
Neutron - located in the nucleus
Electron - located outside the nucleus
78
What is the difference between atomic number and atomic mass?
Atomic number - number of protons in the atom
Atomic mass - sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus
79
What subatomic particle determines the element?
Protons
80
Give an example of isotope. The number of what subatomic particle varies between isotopes of the same element?
Carbon-14. Neutrons vary.
81
Identify the reactants and products in a chemical expression.
Reactants are atoms on the left of the equation. The product is the molecule on the right.
82
Is energy added to or released when a bond is formed?
Energy is released
83
Is energy added or released when a bond is broken?
Energy is added
84
Which subatomic particle is involved in forming chemical bonds?
Electrons
85
How many electrons can be found in the first, second, and third electron shell?
Shell 1 = 2
Shell 2 = 8
Shell 3 = 18
86
When is atom stable?
When its outermost orbital is complete
87
What is the difference between chemically inert atom and a chemically reactive atom?
Chemically inert atom is not reactive
88
What is the rule of 8s? What is the exception?
Atoms are considered stable when their outermost orbital has 8 electrons
The exception is orbital 1, which can only hold 2
89
List and describe the 3 types of chemical bonds.
Ionic - electrons are completely transferred
Covalent - electrons are shared
Hydrogen - provides attraction between molecules
90
In which type of chemical bond are electrons lost by one atom and given to another atom?
Ionic
91
What is the difference between nonpolar and polar covalent bonds?
Nonpolar - electrons are shared equally
Polar - electrons are share unequally
92
Where can you find hydrogen bonds in the body?
DNA and proteins
93
List and describe the 3 main categories of chemical reactions.
Synthesis - Atoms or molecules combine
Decomposition - Molecule is broken down
Exchange - Switch is made between molecule parts and different molecules are made
94
What is the difference between catabolic and anabolic reactions?
Catabolic - decomposition reaction
Anabolic - synthesis reaction
95
Name and describe the 4 factors that influence the rate of a chemical change.
Increased temperature
Increased concentration of reacting particles
Decreased particle size
Presence of catalysts
96
What is the difference between inorganic and organic molecules?
Inorganic - substances whose structure is not Carbon based
Organic - structure is Carbon based (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids)
97
Name and describe some properties of water.
High heat capacity - water absorbs and reduces a large amount of heat before it changes temperature
Polarity/solvent - universal solvent
Chemical reactivity - important reactant in some chemical reactions
Cushioning - primary constituent of cerebrospinal fluid to protect brain and spinal cord
98
Why are salts that have dissolved in solution called electrolytes?
They can conduct an electrical current in solution
99
What is the difference between an acid and a base?
Acid - proton donor
Base - proton acceptor
100
Given a pH value, identify it as a neutral, acidic, or basic.
Neutral - 7
Acidic - below 7
Basic - above 7
101
Name the 4 categories of organic molecules.
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
102
Name the common functional groups found in organic molecules.
Carbonyl (C=O)
Hydroxyl (OH)
Sulfhydryl (SH)
Amino (NH2)
Carboxyl (COOH)
Phosphate (H2PO4)
103
What is the difference between a monomer and a polymer?
Monomer - a molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to form a polymer
Polymer - chainlike molecules made up of many monomers
104
What is the difference between dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis?
Dehydration synthesis - water is removed from the process
Hydrolysis - water is used to break chemical bond
105
Differential between a monosaccharide, disaccharide, and polysaccharide.
Monosaccharide - simple sugar
Disaccharide - two simple sugars joined by dehydration synthesis
Polysaccharide - long, branching chains of linked simple sugars
106
What common polysaccharide is found in humans? In plants?
Humans - glycogen
Plants - starch
107
Name a few monosaccharides.
Ribose, deoxyribose, glucose, fructose, galactose
108
Name a few disaccharides. What monosaccharides make up each disaccharide?
Sucrose (glucose - fructose)
Maltose (glucose - glucose)
Lactose (glucose - galactose)
109
How does the structure of a carbohydrate differ from a lipid?
Carbohydrate - 2 H and 1 O
Lipid - carbon and hydrogen outnumber oxygen
110
What substances are classified as lipids?
Triglycerides, Phospholipids, Steroids
111
Describe the structure of a neutral fat.
Three fatty acids and one glycerol molecule
112
What is the difference between a saturated and unsaturated fat?
Saturated - all bonds between C atoms are single bonds.
Unsaturated - some bonds between C atoms are double bonded
113
What is the difference between a neutral fat and a phospholipid? What is the function of neutral fats? Of Phospholipid?
Neutral fat - three fatty acids, source of stored energy
Phospholipid - two fatty acids, main component of cellular membranes
114
What is the most important steroid?
Cholesterol
115
What are the building blocks of of proteins?
Amino acids
116
Describe the general structure of an amino acid.
Central carbon (C)
Amine group (NH2)
Carboxyl group (COOH)
"R" group
117
Describe the 4 levels of protein structure.
Primary - unique sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain
Secondary - Beta-pleated sheet and alpha helix
Tertiary - 3D shape of the polypeptide or protein
Quaternary - two or more polypeptide chains
118
What is the difference between a structural protein and a functional protein?
Structural - fibrous proteins bind structures together
Functional - globular proteins - active sites fit and interact chemically with other molecules
119
What happens when a protein is denatured?
Change in the 3D shape of a protein due to a breakage of hydrogen bonds due to excessive heat or acids
120
What is the function of an enzyme? Is an enzyme a carbohydrate, lipid, protein or nucleic acid?
Accelerate chemical reactions. Protein.
121
Describe the structure of nucleotide.
Phosphate group
5 carbon sugar - ribose, deoxyribose
Nitrogen containing base - adenine, thymine, uracil, guanine, cytosine
122
What bases are found in DNA? In RNA?
DNA: C-G, A-T
RNA: A-U, G-C
123
What sugar is found in DNA? In RNA?
124
Describe the structure of DNA and RNA.
DNA - Phosphate group, Deoxyribose sugar, ATCG, double helix
RNA - Phosphate group, Ribose sugar, AUGC, single polypeptide chain
125
What is the function of ATP?
Provides chemical energy used by all cells
126
Describe the structure of ATP.
Adenine base, ribose sugar, and 3 phosphate groups
