Chapter 2- Chemical Level of Organization Flashcards
How are the electrons of carbon distributed between the first and second electron shells?
2 in the first shell, 4 in each shell after
What are the 4 major elements in the human body?
oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen
What are the 8 lesser elements in the human body?
calcium, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), sodium, chlorine (Cl), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe; ferrum = iron)
Ionic bond
An ionic bond is the force of attraction that holds together oppositely charged ions. Gives/gaines electrons
cation vs anion
A cation is a positively charged ion; an anion is a negatively charged ion.
covalent bond
In a covalent bond, two atoms share one, two, or three pairs of electrons in the outer shell.
concentration in reactions
The more particles of matter present in a confined space, the greater the chance that they will collide (think of people crowding into a subway car at rush hour). The concentration of particles increases when more are added to a given space or when the pressure on the space increases, which forces the particles closer together so that they collide more often.
temperature in reactions
As temperature rises, particles of matter move about more rapidly. Thus, the higher the temperature of matter, the more forcefully particles will collide, and the greater the chance that a collision will produce a reaction.
Prostaglandins
A membrane-associated lipid; released in small quantities and acts as a local hormone.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
A single-stranded nucleic acid made up of nucleotides, each consisting of a nitrogenous base (adenine, cytosine, guanine, or uracil), ribose, and a phosphate group.
A triglyceride that is a solid at room temperature.
fat
Metabolism
All the biochemical reactions that occur within an organism, including the synthetic (anabolic) reactions and decomposition (catabolic) reactions.
Nucleic acids
An organic compound that is a long polymer of nucleotides, with each nucleotide containing a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four possible nitrogenous bases (adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine or uracil).
Catalysts
Chemical compounds that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed for a reaction to occur.
Lipoproteins
One of several types of particles containing lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) and proteins that make it water soluble for transport in the blood.
Free radical
An atom or group of atoms with an unpaired electron in the outermost shell. It is unstable, highly reactive, and destroys nearby molecules.
Saturated fat
A fatty acid that contains only single bonds (no double bonds) between its carbon atoms; all carbon atoms are bonded to the maximum number of hydrogen atoms; prevalent in triglycerides of animal products such as meat, milk, milk products, and eggs.
Antioxidants
A substance that inactivates oxygen derived free radicals. Examples are selenium, zinc, beta carotene, and vitamins C and E.
nucleus
A spherical or oval organelle of a cell that contains the hereditary factors of the cell, called genes. A cluster of unmyelinated nerve cell bodies in the central nervous system. The central part of an atom made up of protons and neutrons.
Triglycerides
A lipid formed from one molecule of glycerol and three molecules of fatty acids that may be either solid (fats) or liquid (oils) at room temperature; the body’s most highly concentrated source of chemical potential energy. Found mainly within adipocytes. Also called a neutral fat.
Catabolism
Chemical reactions that break down complex organic compounds into simple ones, with the net release of energy.
PH scale
A measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H_) in a solution. Extends from 0 to 14, with a value of 7 expressing neutrality, values lower than 7 expressing increasing acidity, and values higher than 7 expressing increasing alkalinity.
Proteins
An organic compound consisting of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur and phosphorus; synthesized on ribosomes and made up of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
Monounsaturated fats
A fatty acid that contains one double covalent bond between its carbon atoms; it is not completely saturated with hydrogen atoms. Plentiful in triglycerides of olive and peanut oils.
