Chapter 2 - Chemistry of Life Flashcards
acid
a substance capable of reacting with a base to form a salt; reacts with some metals to liberate hydrogen
acidosis
abnormally low blood pH (too acidic)
alkaline
something with a pH above 7
alkalosis
abnormally high blood pH (too alkaline)
amino acid
the basic units that form to make proteins
aqueous solution
a mixture of molecules (solutes) that use water as the solvent
atherosclerosis
a life-threatening blockage of the arteries; this blockage is caused by plaque
atom
smallest unit of matter
atomic number
the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
ATP
acronym for “adenosine triphosphate”, the primary carrier of energy in cells
base
a substance capable of reacting with an acid to form a salt; often bitter-tasting
biochemistry
the study of the chemical substances and processes occurring in live organisms
blood lipoprotein
a reference to the fact that fats can only travel in the blood if they are attached to a protein molecule; these fat-protein combinations are called lipoproteins
buffers
chemicals in the blood that maintain pH
catalyst
a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change
chemical bonding
a reference to the fact that the number of electrons in the outer energy level of an atom determines how it behaves chemically and how it may unite with other atoms
cholesterol
a lipid molecule that works with phospholipids to build cell membranes; the body also uses cholesterol as a starting point in making steroid hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and cortisone (cortisol)
collagen
a structural protein that has a fiber shape; this allows it to hold most of the body’s tissues together
compounds
mixed substances whose molecules have more than one element in them
covalent bond
a bond that forms between atoms that share electrons; this is in contrast to the ionic bond where the electron is given away
dehydration synthesis
the process of joining two molecules (or compounds) together, following the removal of water
disaccharide
a double sugar molecule; after they are eaten, the body breaks them apart, or digests them, to form monosaccharides that can be used as cellular fuel; sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (milk sugar) are two examples
DNA
acronym for deoxyribonucleic acid; a two-stranded molecule that exists in the form of a double helix; stores all the genetic material of a cell; it also contains instructions for the synthesis of other molecules, like proteins
electrolyte
a compound that forms ions when dissolved in water; in the body they regulate the osmotic pressure in cells and help maintain the function of muscle and nerve cells. If electrolyte levels are too low or too high, cell and organ functions will decline, which could lead to life-threatening conditions.
elements
pure substances composed of only one type of atom
energy level
also called shells; energy levels are stacks of orbitals; the farther the orbitals are from the nucleus, the higher the energy; there can be multiple levels; the first energy level has 1 orbital, the second has 4
enzymes
a substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction