Lecture 2 Flashcards
Why is osmolality a more accurate measurement of solute concentration? Explain
It measures the total molality of solutes in solution (the number of dissolved solute particles in 1L H20 (solvent)).
What is pH a measurement of?
H+ ion concentration in 1L H2O.
Why is water neutral?
It has equal concentrations of H+ and OH-.
In a liter of water, how many hydrogen ions are present?
10^-7 H+ ions present
What does an acid do when it is put into water?
Releases H+ ion solution
How does a base decease the acidity of a solution?
Decreases H+ in solution by combining with OH-.
If someone was experiencing blood acidosis, how would administering IV sodium bicarbonate decrease the blood acidity?
Sodium bicarbonate would attach to H+ ions to form carbonic acid and then break down into H2O and CO2.
The control of one’s breathing rate is monitored using negative feedback loops sensitive to changes in blood pH.
Explain why blood pH is an important blood parameter moderating the respiratory rate.
Blood pH directly reflects the amount of CO2 present in the blood which can trigger the body’s negative feedback loop to adjust its breathing rate to expel more CO2 and bring breathing back to normal.
Explain the significance of a buffer.
Works to minimize changes in [H+] and stabilize pH.
If the [OH-] is of a solution is 10-6, what is the concentration of H+ and the solution pH.
H+ concentration is 10-8 and the solution pH is 8.
What is the difference between an acid and a base? Provide an example of each.
Acid: “proton donor” releases H+ in the solution
Base: “proton acceptor” decreases H+ in solution by combining with OH-.
Explain the processes of dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis. Why are these processes important to organic molecules?
Dehydration synthesis: removal of water. This links all organic monomers.
Hydrolysis: addition of water. This process disassembles all organic macromolecules.
Cells function to reduce osmotic flux (movement of water) into the cell. Explain how linking monomers into polymers reduces the osmotic flux (essentially decreasing the internal osmolality of the cell).
Linking monomers decreases the amount of “free” monomers in the cell, therefore lowering internal osmolality, decreasing the concentration gradient, and reducing influx.
