Chapter 2 — Chemistry of Life Flashcards
Introduction
biochemistry
the study of the molecules that compose living organisms
Introduction
biochemistry is useful for understanding…
cellular structures, basic physiology, nutrition, and health
Introduction
4 types of macromolecules
carbohydrates
lipids
proteins
nucleic acids
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
element
simplest form of matter with unique chemical properties
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
atomic number
the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
the periodic table is arranged by…
atomic number
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
__ elements have a biological role
24
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
name the 6 elements that makeup 98.5% of body weight
oxygen carbon hydrogen nitrogen calcium phosphorus
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
nucleus
center of an atom; contains protons and neutrons
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
electron shells
surround the nucleus
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
protons
positive charge (+)
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
neutrons
no charge (neutral)
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
electrons
negative charge (-)
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
__ determine the chemical properties of an atom
electrons
the atom is electrically neutral because…
the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
electrons occupy an orderly series of __
electron shells (energy levels)
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
the 1st electron shell holds __ electrons, the 2nd holds __, and the 3rd holds __
2; 8; 8
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
an atom with a full outer energy level is __/__ and referred to as a __
very stable/unreactive; inert/noble gas
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
examples of noble gases
helium (He), neon (Ne), argon (Ar)
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
atoms with unfilled outer energy levels are relatively __/__
unstable/reactive
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
unstable atoms __ bond with other atoms
will
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
stable atoms __ bond with other atoms
will not
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
unstable atoms can achieve stability by…
sharing, gaining, or losing electrons
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
valance electrons
located in the outermost shell; interact with other atoms; determine the chemical bonding properties of an atom
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
atomic mass = __ + __
protons + neutrons
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
isotope
atom with a different number of protons and neutrons
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
isotopes of an element exhibit the same __ behavior, but differ in __ behavior because…
chemical; physical; extra neutrons increase the atomic weight but do not change the charge because they are neutral
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
many isotopes are unstable and decay to more stable isotopes by…
giving off radiation
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
radioisotopes
unstable isotopes that give off radiation
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
every element has at least one __
radioisotope
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
radioactivity
radioisotopes decay to stable isotopes by releasing radiation
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
we are all mildly __
radioactive
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
madame curie
- first woman to receive nobel prize (1903)
- first woman in world to receive a ph.d.
- coined term radioactivity
- discovered radioactivity of polonium and radium
- trained physicians in use of x-rays and pioneered radiation therapy as cancer treatment
- died of radiation poisoning at age 67
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
ions
charged particles with an unequal number of protons and electrons
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
ionization
transfer of electrons from one atom to another, which increases the stability of the valence shell
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
anion
atom that gained electrons and has a net negative charge
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
cation
atom that lost electrons and has a net positive charge
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
ions with __ charges are attracted to each other
opposite
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
electrolytes are important for…
- chemical reactivity
- osmotic effects (influence water movement)
- electrical effects on nerve and muscle tissue
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
__ is one of the most important considerations in patient care
electrolyte balance
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
possible effects of electrolyte imbalance
muscle cramps, brittle bones, coma, cardiac arrest
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
free radicals
unstable chemical particles with an odd number of electrons that can damage cells, causing illness and aging
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
free radicals are produced by…
normal metabolic reactions, radiation, and chemicals
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
antioxidants __ free radicals and are present in our diet in things such as…
neutralize; selenium, vitamin e, vitamin c, and carotenoids
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
molecule
two or more atoms held together by a chemical bond; example: N2
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
compound
molecules composed of two or more different elements; example: CO2
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
molecular formula
shows elements and how many atoms of each are present; example: C2H6O
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
structural formula
shows the location of each atom and reveals structural isomers; example:
H | H - C - H | H
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
isomer
molecules with identical molecular formulae but different arrangement of their atoms (structural formula); example: ethanol and ethyl ether
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
chemical bonds
forces that hold molecules together, or attract one molecule to another
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
3 types of chemical bonds
hydrogen (weakest)
ionic
covalent (strongest)
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
ionic bond
the attraction of oppositely charged ions; an electron is donated by one and received by the other; example: sodium chloride
ionic bonds are __ because…
weak; easily dissociate in water
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
covalent bond
formed by sharing of valence electrons
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
types of covalent bonds
single
double
nonpolar
polar
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
single covalent bond
one pair of electrons are shared; example: H2
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
double covalent bond
two pairs of electrons are shared; example: CO2
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
nonpolar covalent bond
electrons are shared equally between two atoms; strongest of all bonds
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
polar covalent bond
electrons are shared unequally between atoms
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
hydrogen bond
a weak attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen atom in one molecule and a slightly negative oxygen or nitrogen atom in another
Atoms, Ions, and Molecules
hydrogen bonds occur in…
water molecules, DNA, proteins
Energy and Chemical Reactions
energy
capacity to do work
Energy and Chemical Reactions
work
to move something; all body activities are a form of work
Energy and Chemical Reactions
potential energy
stored energy; not doing work at the time; example: water behind a dam
Energy and Chemical Reactions
chemical energy
potential energy stored in the molecular bonds
Energy and Chemical Reactions
kinetic energy
the energy of motion; actively doing work; example: moving water flowing through a dam