Chemistry of Life

Question 1

All substances are made up of …

Answer 1

Atoms

Question 2

List 5 organi:

Answer 2

1. Carbohydrates
2. Proteins (enzymes)
3. Lipids (fats)
4. Vitamins
5. Nucleic acids

Question 3

What are Minerals?

Answer 3

simple, inorganic compounds required by living organisms

Question 4

What are the 2 types of minerals?

Answer 4

Micronutrients: needed in smaller quantities
Macronutrients: needed in large quantities

Question 5

List all the minerals in our body:

Answer 5

Iron (Fe)
Magnesium (Mg)
Sodium (Na)
Potassium (K)
Calcium (Ca)
Phosphorous (P)
Iodine (I)
Nitrogen (N)
Zinc (Zn)

Question 6

Explain the process of EUTROPHICATION:

Answer 6

1. Farmers use fertilisers (nitrates & phosphates)
2. Too much fertiliser and rain leads to fertiliser draining into rivers, lakes, streams and other bodies of water
3. Increases amount of nitrates and phosphates in the water
4. Causes algae and water plants to grow rapidly
5. Algae increases greatly (algal bloom)
6. COVERS the surface of the water. (Prevents sunlight)
7. Plants die due to no sunlight (no photosynthesis- creates oxygen for living organisms)
8. Decomposition of dead plants causes a decrease in oxygen levels -anoxia
9. Death of ecosystem ( other organisms die) and the agal bloom cycle continues