Introduction to Biochemistry

Question 1

Inorganic Chemicals

Answer 1

Do not contain carbon; water, salts, acids, bases

Question 2

Properties of Water:

Answer 2

High heat capacity, high heat of vaporization, polar solvent properties, reactivity, cushioning

Question 3

Salts

Answer 3

Inorganic compound containing cations other than Hydrogen and anions other than Hydroxyl; when dissolved in water, they dissociate into their component ions

Question 4

Electrolytes

Answer 4

Substances that conduct an electrical current in a solution

Question 5

Acids

Answer 5

Substance that releases hydrogen ions in detectable amounts; proton donors

Question 6

Bases

Answer 6

Substance that takes up hydrogen ions in detectable amounts; proton acceptors

Question 7

pH Units

Answer 7

The relative concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution or fluid

Question 8

Buffers

Answer 8

Help resist abrupt and large swings in pH

Question 9

Carbonic acid-bicarbonate system

Answer 9

Maintains blood pH; carbonic acid (weak acid) dissociates reversibly to release bicarbonate ions (weak base) and protons

As pH rises, carbonic acid releases protons; as pH drops, bicarbonate binds with the protons

Question 10

Organic Molecules

Answer 10

Unique to living systems: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids- all contain carbon

Question 11

Carbon:

Answer 11

Never gains/loses electrons, only shares via covalent bonds; has ability to form ring structures and long, chainlike molecules

Question 12

Carbohydrate

Answer 12

Group of molecules that includes sugars and starches; provides ready and easy-to-use sources of fuel

Question 13

Starch

Answer 13

Storage carbohydrates formed by plants

Question 14

Glycogen

Answer 14

Storage carbohydrates found in animal tissues

Question 15

Lipid

Answer 15

Insoluble in water but dissolve readily in other lipids and organic solvents such as alcohol and ethers

Question 16

Triglycerides

Answer 16

Neutral fats; provide body’s most efficient and compact form of stored energy

Question 17

Phospholipids

Answer 17

Chief material for building cell membranes

Question 18

Proteins

Answer 18

Provide body with basic structural material and serve many vital roles in the body; 10-30% cell mass

Question 19

Fibrous Proteins

Answer 19

Structural proteins (framework, movement)

Question 20

Globular Proteins

Answer 20

Functional proteins

Question 21

Active Sites

Answer 21

Regions that fit and interact chemically with other molecules of complementary shape and change

Question 22

Catalysts

Answer 22

Regulate and accelerate the rate of a reaction but isn’t used up or changed as part of that reaction