Chapter 2: Basic Chemistry Flashcards
What are the important organic compounds in the body?
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Solvent
A liquid of gas in which smaller amounts of other substances can be dissolved or suspended.
Solution
Mixture where particles are small.
What is PH?
The concentration of Hydrogen ions in a solution. (Bases have more Hydroxide acids have more hydrogen)
What is the PH of blood?
7.35 to 7.45
What is an Enzyme?
Functional proteins that act as biological catalysts. A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without becoming part of the product or being changed itself.
What does an enzyme do?
Regulates essentially every chemical reaction that goes on within the body. Enzymes bind to and hold the reacting molecules in the proper position for chemical interaction. Once reaction has occurred, the enzyme releases the product.
What is the largest type of biological molecule in the body?
Nucleic acids
What is the importance of ATP in the body?
Provides a form of chemical energy that all body cells can use. Without ATP, molecules cannot be made or broken down, cells cannot maintain their boundaries, and all life processes grind to a halt. ATP molecules capture and store glucose as small packets of energy.
What is ATP?
Adenosine triphosphate. A modified nucleotide. Provides a for of chemical energy that all body cells can use. It is the currency of the body. Without ATP molecules cannot be made of broken down, cells cannot maintain their boundaries, and all life processes grind to a halt.
What is matter?
Anything that occupies space and has mass (weight).
What is energy?
The ability to do work, or to put matter into motion. Has no mass, does not take up space. Can only be measured by its effects on matter.
Kinetic energy
When energy is actually doing work.
Potential energy
When energy is inactive or stored.
Chemical energy
Stored in the bonds of chemical substances. When bond is broke, energy is released.
Electrical energy
Result of the movement of charged particles
Nerve impulses
Electrical energy that the body uses to send messages to other parts of the body.
Mechanical energy
Energy directly involved in moving matter.
Radiant energy
travels in waves, that is, it is energy of the electromagnetic spectrum. Ex. X-rays, or infrared radiation.
Which four elements make up most of body weight?
Carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen.
What are the three basic subatomic particles?
Protons (positive charge), neutrons (neutral charge), electrons (negative charge).
What is atomic mass?
The sum of the masses of all the protons and neutrons contained in its nucleus.
Isotopes
Structural variations in atoms with varying numbers of neutrons.
Radioisotopes
Isotopes that tend to decompose to become more stable. These are heavier than other isotopes.
Molecules
When two or more atoms combine chemically.
Compound
When two or more molecules of different atoms bind together. Compounds are still molecules, they are just a specific type of molecule.
Chemical Reactions
When atoms combine with, or disassociate from other atoms.
What is an electron shell?
The orbits that electrons take around the nucleus.
What is the max number that is currently found?
Seven
What is a valence shell?
Electrons in the Atoms outermost electron shell. These are the only ones that are important when considering boding behavior of atoms.
How many electrons must a valence shell contain to be stable?
Eight
Ionic bond
Form when electrons are completely transferred from one atom to another.
Ions
Are charged particles that result when an atom either gains or loses electrons during bonding.
Anions
Negatively charged ions.
Cations
Positively charged ions.
Covalent bonds
Formed when electrons are shared by two atoms.
Hydrogen Bonds
Extremely weak bonds formed when a hydrogen atom bound to one electron hungry nitrogen or oxygen atom is attracted by another electron hungry atom, and the hydrogen atom forms a bridge between them.
Synthesis Reaction
When two or more atoms or molecules combine to for a larger more complex molecule. Energy absorbing reactions.
Decomposition Reaction
Occur when a molecule is broken down into smaller molecules, atoms, or ions.
Exchange Reactions
Involves both synthesis and decomposition reactions. Bonds are both made and broken.
Hydrolysis reactions
when water molecules are added to the bonds of larger molecules.
Salts
ionic compounds containing cations other than hydrogen, and anions other than the hydroxyl ion.
Electrolytes
Substances that conduct an electrical current in solution. All salts are electrolytes.
