Chemical Level Of Organization Flashcards
1
Q
What is the structure of an atom?
A
- all mater, including all parts of the human body, is made from particles called atoms
- Atoms have three types of subatomic particles:
- The nucleus of an atom contains:
- Protons (+)
- Neutrons (-)
- Orbiting (floating around) the nucleus there are:
- Electrons (e^-): negative charge
- The nucleus of an atom contains:
2
Q
NOTE: Atoms
A
Atoms are electrically neutral - the number of electrons and protons are equal. Neutrons may not be equal to these (these different forms are referred to as isotopes)
3
Q
What are Ions?
A
- If an atom loses or gains an electron, it is no longer neutral and becomes an ion
- Atom gains electrons it becomes a negative Ion (Anion)
- Atom loses electrons it becomes a positive Ion (Cation)
4
Q
What are the Important Ions (also known as electrolytes)?
A
- Calcium: Ca2+
- Sodium: Na+
- Potassium: K+
- Hydrogen: H+
- Chloride: Cl-
5
Q
What are chemical bonds?
A
Bond (hold) atoms together to form molecules
6
Q
What are the 2 types of bonds?
A
- Ionic Bond
- Covalent Bond
7
Q
Ionic Bond
A
- Ions formed
- Atom to atom transfer of electrons
- e.g. NaCl
8
Q
Example of Ionic Bond (NaCl)
A
- Not all salts are table salt! Salts consist of positively charged Ions (cations) and negatively charged Ions (anions) (e.g. NaCl, KCl)
- Na loses one electron and becomes Na+
- Cl hgains one electron and becomes Cl-
- The positive (Na+) and negative (Cl-) ions attract forming the bond
9
Q
Covalent Bond
A
- Sharing electrons between atoms
- e.g. O2
10
Q
What can chemical compounds be?
A
- Organic substance
- Inorganic Substance
11
Q
What is Organic Substance ?
A
- Covalently bonded carbon (C) atoms
- e.g. carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids
12
Q
What is Inorganic Substances?
A
- Usually lack C atoms
- water (H2O)
- Salts - consist of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) (e.g. NaCl)
- Gases (O2)
- With the exception of these inorganic compounds which contain carbon atoms:
- H2CO3 (Carbonic Acid)
- HCO3- (Bicarbonate)
- CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)
- CO (Carbon Monoxide)
13
Q
What is Water (Inorganic)?
A
- Most abundant substance in cells
- 2 Hydrogen (H) atoms and 1 Oxygen (O)
- Polar molecules -> unequal sharing of electrons leads to a slight charge difference
- Many reactioins in the body take place in H2O because it is a universal solvent
- Transports chemicals e.g. O2, nutrients
- Maintains body temperature (around 37 C)
14
Q
What are Acid and Bases?
A
- Can be organic or inorganic
- Like salts, acids and bases are electrolytes, though they also play a critical role in maintaining the pH balance of cells, organs, and blood within narrow ranges.
15
Q
Acids
A
- Dissociate in H2O releasing H+ ions
- ↑H+ = ↓pH (high hydrogen Ion concentrations indicate a low or acidic pH)
- e.g. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) in H2O → H+ + Cl-
16
Q
Bases
A
- Substances that bind to (or buffer) free H+ ions (in H2O)
- ↓H+ = ↑ pH(low hydrogen Ion concentrations indicate a high pH)
- e.g. 1: NaOH (base) in H2O → Na+ + OH- (hydroxyl ion)
- e.g. 2: HCO3- (bicarbonates) + H+ →H2CO3 (carbonic acid) → H2O + CO2
- OH- and HCO3- act as bases by binding to the free H+ Ions.
17
Q
pH Scale
A
- A measure of the H+ of free H+ in solution
- Basic → Acidic ↑H+
- e.g. pH of blood = 7.35 - 7.45
- 0 → 7 = Acidic
- 7 = Neutral
- 7 → 14 = Basic/Alkaline
- OH- + H+ →H2O (neutralization)
18
Q
What are important Organic Substances ?
A
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Proteins
- Nucleic Acids
- Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
19
Q
What is Carbohydrate?
A
- Consist of C,H, and O
- Formula: (CH2O) = [n=#]
20
Q
What is the Function of Carbohydrate?
A
- Source of energy for cells
- e.g. C6H12O6 (glucose)
- Cellular structures
- e.g. DNA + RNA