Chemistry Of Physiology Flashcards
Element
Group of one type of atoms
Atoms
Units of matter unable to be broken down further by normal chemical means
Molecule
Group of atoms of two or more types
Covalent bond
Two or more atoms share electrons in outer shells
Ionic bond
Transfer of electrons between atoms results in bond due to magnetic charge
Polar molecule
Unequal sharing of electrons results in opposite slight charges on opposite ends of molecule.
Hydrogen bond
Attraction between slightly positive charged hydrogen atom and another atom. Not a very strong bond.
pH scale
Uses measurement of H+ within a substance to determine it as an acid or a base.
Acid
Substance that releases H+ when put in water.
Low pH.
Base
Substance which releases OH- when placed in water.
High pH.
Buffer
Regulates level of H+ to keep pH consistent.
In blood: carbonic acid-bicarbonate system
Macromolecules
Four major types
Molecules containing thousands of atoms with complex structures.
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic acids
Polymers
Small repeating subunits which make up macromolecules. Created through dehydration synthesis. Broken down by hydrolysis.
Monomers
Building blocks of polymers
Dehydration synthesis
Process for covalent bonding between monomers in the synthesis of polymers.
One monomer contributes OH, one monomer contributes H, water is released.
Hydrolysis
Process for breaking down polymers.
Addition of water to existing covalent bond within polymer bonds to each monomer and breaks the chain.
Carbohydrates
Sugars and starches
Fuel, short term energy storage.
Monosaccharides
Smallest type of carbohydrate (simple sugar)
3-7 carbon atoms (6 most common)
Polysaccharide
Complex carbohydrate, chain of monosaccharides
Storage of energy, provide structure
In plants: -starch (storage) -cellulose (structure) In animals: -glycogens (chains of glucose)
Disaccharides (3 common types)
Two monosaccharides bonded
Glucose+fructose=sucrose
Glucose+glucose=maltose (beer)
Glucose+galactose=lactose
Lipids
3 types
Non-water-soluble (non polar) substances (fats, oils)
Triglycerides
Steroids
Phospholipids
Triglycerides
Fats & oils
1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids bonded through dehydration synthesis
Saturated or unsaturated
Phospholipids (structure and function)
2 fatty acids + Glycerol + P- + Variable group (usually polar)
Two regions
- hydrophilic
- hydrophobic
Two hydrophilic regions attract, creating selectively permeable lipid bilayer structure of cell membrane.
Steroids
Type of lipid
4 carbon rings + determining molecules
Types
- cholesterol
- estrogen
- testosterone
Cholesterol
Type of steroid making up plasma membrane
Foundation for estrogen and testosterone
Proteins
4 functions
Polymer made up of amino acids
Functions
- structure
- movement
- transport
- regulation of chemical reactions
Saturated fatty acid
Carbons have only single covalent bonds (saturated with hydrogens)
Allows dense packaging, solid at room temp
Unsaturated fatty acid
Some carbons have double covalent bonds with other carbons (potential for boding with hydrogens)
Double bonds create kinks in structure, preventing packing of fatty acids; liquid at room temp
Amino acids (2 types)
Building blocks of proteins (20 total)
Structure:
H
+
Amino group + C + carboxyl group
+
Side chain (determinant)
Amino group & carboxyl group hook together
Types:
- essential: body can’t synthesize, must come from food
- non-essential: body can synthesize
Peptides
Polypeptides
Protein
Chains with only a few amino acids
Chains with 10+ amino acids
Chains with 50+ amino acids
Enzymes
Layout basic process
Substances (proteins) that serve as catalysts for chemical reactions. Not involved in the reaction.
Enzyme + substrate(s) -> enzyme-substrate complex -> enzyme + product(s)
Nucleic acid
Genes
DNA
RNA
Created with nucleotides through dehydration synthesis
Nucleotides
Phosphate + pentose sugar + nitrogen-containing base (A, G, C, T/U)
ATP
Unit of energy in cell
Contains 3 phosphates (unstable) and breaking of 3rd P provides energy
