Environmental Chem Flashcards
Organic Nutrients
Organic- contains C & H in molecule
Carbohydrates- provides energy to cells
Protein- builds & repairs structures
Lipids/Fats- storage of unused energy
Vitamins- necessary for biological functions (can be created or ingested)
Inorganic Nutrients
Inorganic- not from living things, no C & H bond
Micro Trace Elements- need less of
Iron = transports O2 to blood
Macro Minerals- need more of (ca,
Calcium = bones, blood clotting, muscle function
Phosphorous = metabolic reactions, tooth & bone formation
Magnesium = bone & teeth
Sodium = maintains blood pressure, nerves, muscle function
Sulfur = protein synthesis
Nitrogen = tissue growth & repair
Potassium = muscle contraction, nerve function
Nutrient
-substance providing nourishment essential for growth & sustaining life
Enzymes
-acts as catalyst to speed up within body (composed of proteins)
Plants
Roots- plant structure collecting minerals & nutrients from soil
Photosynthesis- CO2 & H2O converted into carbohydrates/sugar plants use as energy
Monoculture- 1 plant type planted in an area (robs soil of nutrients & more pests)
Algal Bloom-
-excess algae growth due too many nutrients in water (from fertilizer run off)
less O2 = less animals
Pesticide
Herbicide- chemicals designed to kill plants
Insecticide- chemicals designed to kill insects + invertebrates (DDT)
Fungicide- chemicals designed to kill fungi
Pollutants
Persistent- don’t break down easily in environment (built up & spread around)
Selective- kill certain plants but not others
Non Selective- kills all plants
Bioaccumulation- increases concentration of a material in an organism over time
Biomagnification- increased concentration of a material as it moves up the food chain
Acids & Bases
Acids- sour + sticky (ex: hydronium ion/H3O+ produced by every acid)
Bases- bitter + slippery (ex: hydroxide ion/OH- produced by every base)
Ions
Cation = + ion
Anion = - ion
Dissociation- to separate into ions
PH
-scale from 0-14 telling how acidic or basic a substance is
Acids < 7
Bases > 7
neutral = 7
Neutralizing Acid Precipitation
Liming- add a weak base (limestone) to neutralize PH & change temp
Scrubber- uses sorbet (absorber) to trap atmospheric gasses produced in industrial process, creates slug
Catalytic Convertor- converts dangerous oxides to safer ones using catalyst
Oxidation = making CO into safer CO2
Reduction = turning S & N oxides into elemental form
Acid Rain
-acidic rain because of pollutants from vehicles & industrial
Oxides = molecular compound with O + another element
