Chapter 2- Chemistry comes alive Flashcards
Molecule
the combination of two or more atoms of the same element (oxygen)
Compound
the combination of two or more atoms of different elements
Mixtures
any substance containing two or more compounds physically intermixed
Solutions
homogeneous mixtures can exist as solid, liquid, or gas composed of very small particles that do not settle out
Solvent
A dissolving medium, water is the body’s primary solvent
Solute
dissolved in solvent
Example- saline solutions (water and NaCl)
2 ways to describe concentration
- Percent solution- amount of solute is expressed as a percentage of the total solution volume
- Molarity- the number of moles of a substance per liter of solution
A mole of any element or compound is equal to
Its molecular weight
Colloids
heterogeneous mixtures (not evenly distributed) composed of large solute particles that do not settle out. Can undergo sol-gel transformation
Heterogeneous mixtures
Mixtures that are not evenly distributed
sol-gel transformation
mixture can change from a fluid state to a more solid state (and back again)
Ex- cytosol of cells changes consistency depending on certain cell activities (cellular division, change in shape)
Suspensions
heterogeneous mixture composed of large solute particles that do settle out
Ex- blood contains a fluid portion (plasma) with various cell types (RBC, WBC, and platelets) suspended in it
Chemical bonds occur when
substances are held together by attraction to each other or sharing or exchanging electrons
Types of chemical bonds (3)
- Ionic
- Covalent
- Hydrogen
Ionic bonds
transfer of electrons such that ions are formed, forms salts. Results in anions and cations
Anions
accept electrons, became negatively charged
Cations
donate electrons, become more positively charged
Covalent bonds
sharing of electrons in a common orbital between atoms, results in nonpolar and polar molecules
Nonpolar molecules
atoms in the covalent bond share electrons equally and are electrically balanced (carbon dioxide)
Polar molecules
atoms in a covalent bond do not share electrons equally, with one atom being an “electron hog”. Ex- oxygen strongly attracts electrons in water
Hydrogen bonds
occur when a hydrogen atom that is already covalently bonded to another atom is attracted by another electron hungry atom. Too weak to form molecules but can be structurally important
Example- oxygen in water pulls hydrogen from another water molecule- this forms surface tension
How are hydrogen bonds important for proteins?
water forms a shield between charged proteins so they won’t interact unnecessarily
Chemical reactions occur when
chemical bonds are formed, broken, or rearranged
Types of reactions (2)
- Synthesis
2. Decomposition
Synthesis reactions
formation of bonds between atoms or molecules to form larger, more complex structures. They are endergonic. Ex: anabolic reactions in the body
Endergonic
contains more energy after formation
Decomposition reactions
bonds are broken to create smaller molecules or individual atoms. They are mostly exergonic. Ex- catabolic reactions in the body
Exergonic
release energy when the bond is broken
Examples of inorganic compounds in the body (3)
- Water
- Salts
- Acids and bases
Importance of water in homeostasis (5)
- Universal solvent
- Heat capacity is high
- Protection
- Heat of vaporization is high
- Reactive in chemical reactions
What substances does water transport?
Water carries nutrients, respiratory gases, and waste as solutes
Why is water’s high heat capacity important?
Water can absorb and release large amounts of heat with little change to its own temperature
Importance- prevents overheating from exercise, sun exposure, etc.