Ch2 Chemistry of Life Flashcards
The chemistry of life
What is an element?
Simplest form of matter to have unique chemical properties
Atomic number of element is defined by…
of protons in its nucleus
What is atomic mass?
Both protons + neutrons
What does AMU stand for?
Atomic mass unit
What type of charge do protons have?
Positive charge= 1 amu
What type of charge does do neutrons have?
no charge, mass= 1amu
What type of charge do electrons have?
Negative charge, negligible mass
What is an isotope?
Atom with different number of neutrons
What is a radioisotope?
Unstable isotope that gives off radiation
Ex) carbon 14 decays to carbon 12
What does high energy radiation create and is it harmful?
Free radicals — harmful
What are ions?
Charged particles with unequal number of protons and electrons
What type of charge do ions have?
Electric
What is ionization?
Transferring electrons from one atom to another — as a result, both are charged
What is anion and what type of charge does it have?
Atom that gains electrons — negative charge
What is a cation and what type of charge does it have?
Atom that loses electrons — positive charge
Ions are ____ to each other, form ____ bond
Ions are ATTRACTED to each other, form IONIC bond
What are electrolytes?
Salts that ionize in water
What are electrolytes capable of conducting?
Electric current
What are 3 reasons why electrolytes are important?
- Chemical reactivity
- Electrical effects on nerve and muscle tissue
- Osmotic effects
Muscle cramps, brittle bones, coma, and cardiac arrest are examples of…
Electrolyte imbalance
What are free radicals?
Chemical particles with odd number of electrons
What are free radicals produced by?
Normal metabolic reactions, radiation, and chemicals
Free radicals can cause…
Tissue damage, cancer, aging
What do antioxidants do?
Neutralizes free radicals
What are molecules?
Chemical particles composed of 2 or more atoms united by a chemical bond
Ex) H2, 02, N2, glucose
What are compounds?
Molecules composed of 2 or more different elements
Ex) h20, urea, glucose
All compounds are ____ but not all _____ are compounds
All compounds are MOLECULES but not all MOLECULES are compounds
What are chemical bonds?
Forces that hold molecules together
What are 4 types of chemical bonds?
- Van deer Waals forces
- Ionic bonds
- Covalent bonds
- Hydrogen bonds
Ionic bonds are an attraction of ___ to ____
Ionic bonds are an attraction of ANION to CATION
What is a single covalent bond?
One pair of electrons shared
What is a double covalent bond?
Two pairs of electrons shared
What is a non-polar covalent bond?
Electrons share equally
What is a polar covalent bond?
Electrons shared unequally
Between what molecules do you mostly see hyrdrogen bonds?
Water molecule
What are Van dear Waals forces?
Weak, brief attractions between neutral atoms
Van der Waals forces are X percent as strong as covalent bonds..
1%
What are isomers?
Molecules with identical molecular formulae but different arrangement of their atoms
What are mixtures?
Substances that are physically blended but not chemically combined
Most mixtures in our bodies are…
Chemicals dissolved or suspended in water
What 5 things make water unique and able to support life?
- Adhesion
- Cohesion
- Chemical reactivity
- Thermal stability
- Solvency
What is solvency?
Ability to dissolve other chemicals
What is a “universal solvent”?
Water
Virtually all metabolic reactions depend on solvency of…
WATER
What is hydrophllic?
“Water- loving” dissolves well in water
Ex) salt & water
What is hydrophobic?
“Water-hating” - doesn’t dissolve well in water
Ex) oil
What is adhesion?
Tendency of one substance to cling onto another ; body membranes
Ex) pleurae)
What is cohesion?
Tendency of like-molecules to cling to each other
Ex) surface tension
What is chemical reactivity?
Ability to participate in chemical reactions
Water ___ other chemicals (acids & salts)
Water IONIZES other chemicals (acids& salt)
What 2 type of reactions is water involved in?
Hydrolysis and dehydration
What does thermal stability do?
Help stabilize internal temperature of body
___ ____ is an effective coolant
Thermal stability is an effective coolant
Weight of solute in given volume of solution is called…
Ex) IV saline = 8.5g/L NaCl
Weight per volume