Chemistry Flashcards
what is a free radical?
has an unpaired electron, very reactive and destructive, neutralized by antioxidants, vitamins A,C,E,SE
what is a synthesis reaction?
building reaction, energy is put in
what is decomposition?
breakdown reaction, releases energy
what is a solvent?
the substance in which a molecule breaks apart/dissociates
what is a solute?
the substance which separates in a solvent
what is a solution?
the solute dissolved or separated in the solvent
what is pH?
percent hydrogen, separation of hydrogen and hydroxide in water
what does an H+ ion represent?
an acid
what does an OH- ion represent?
a base
what do buffers do?
help absorb change in pH
what are carbohydrates for?
energy
simple carbs are…
easily broken down
monosaccharides contain…
one sugar molecule
disaccharides contain…
two sugar molecules
polysaccharides contain…
multiple sugar molecules
complex carbs are…
more difficult for the body to break down
what are lipids for?
energy storage, insulation, hormones
saturated lipids contain…
the max number of possible hydrogen
monosaturated lipids have…
1 carbon that is not fully saturated with hydrogen
polyunsaturated lipids have…
more than one carbon not fully saturated with hydrogen
definition of phospholipid
lipids with a phosphate end. phosphate end likes water, fatty acid end does not.
definition of sterols
fats in a ring shape, most common is cholesterol
what are proteins for?
structures
definition of amino acids
basic building blocks of proteins, 20 amino acids are in the body
definition of peptides
an amino acid in a protein
definition of enzymes
amino acids used to control reactions
what is DNA?
deoxyribonucleic acid - protein that is the genetic blueprint for every structure in the body
what is a double helix?
the shape DNA is coiled in, contains sugar-phosphate backbones
what are base pairs?
pairs of peptides that make up the rungs of the “ladder” in DNA
A:T is…
adenine and thymine (base pair)
G:C is…
guanine and cytosine (base pair)
what is urasil?
similar in structure to thymine, takes the place of thymine in RNA
what is ATP?
adenosine triphosphate - high energy molecule used as energy currency
