Module 1 - Introduction to the human body Flashcards
List the levels of human structure from simple to most complex
Atoms Molecules Macromolecules Organelles Cell Tissue Organ Organ System Organism
what are atoms and what do they form
the building blocks of matter,
combine to form molecules
what do molecules form
combine molecules form macromolecules (polymers of chain like molecules made up of smaller or repeating units )
what do molecules and macromolecules form
bind together to form cell components eg. organelles
what do organelles form
bind together to form cells
define chemical reactions
occur when there is a collision between atoms or molecules. The more frequent and forceful they collide, more likely a chemical reaction is to occur
explain synthesis reaction
simple to complex reaction eg. amino acids to protein molecules
explain decomposition reaction
complex to simple reaction (chemical bonds are broken) eg. glycogen to glucose molecules
explain an exchange reaction
chemical bonds are both made and broken
explain what an enzyme is and what it does
enzyme = protein molecule known as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions
It binds with the substrate (the two molecules that have collided) and changes shape to facilitate a collision to allow bond to form, allowing product to be released and enzyme resumes original shape
cations (including examples)
positive eg H+ Na+
anions (including examples)
negative eg CI-
explain electrolytes
are ions (atoms or molecules) in a solution e.g. water
They are essential for all body functions and are present in all fluids and can conduct electricity in water
electrolyte examples
- Sodium ions Na+ major cation in ECF, essential for water balance and cell function
- Potassium ions K+ major cation in ICF essential for water balance and cell function
- Calcium ions Ca2+ blood clotting, nerve and muscle function
- Bicarbonate ions Hco3- acid base balance
- Chloride ions CI- major anion in ECF, acid base balance and digestion
- Hydrogen ions H+ acid base balance, digestion, respiration
- Phosphate ions HPO4- water balance and bone formation
explain pH scale
used to measure H+ ions in a solution range of 0-14
- the lower the number = more acidic = lots of hydrogen ions
- below 7 = acidic (more H+ ions than bases)
- above 7 = basic/alkaline (contains more base ions)
what are salts (context to pH)
ions other than pH
what are acids (context to pH)
- higher H+ ions in solution based on concentration
what are bases (context to pH)
- ions that can bind H+ ions
- eg HCO3- (bicarbonate ions)
what is an organic chemical
chemicals containing both carbon and hydrogen
what is an inorganic chemical
all other body chemicals that do not contain carbon and hydrogen e.g. h20
what are the four classes of organic chemicals/macromolecules
- carbohydrates
- lipids
- proteins
- nucleic acids
explain carbohydrates (organic macromolecule)
major function is to provide energy for all cellular function, including sugars and starches
types of carbohydrates:
Monosaccharide - simple sugars, glucose, fructose e.g. fruits
Disccharides - dimers, sucrose, lactose eg fruit
Polysaccharides - polymers, storage products, glycogen e.g. veg and grains
explain lipids (organic macromolecules)
three different types - triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids
explain lipids (function,composition and what type of fat) - triglycerides (organic macromolecules)
- neutral fat occur (fat or oil)
- two types of building blocks 3:1 ratio with 3 fatty acid chains and 1 glycerol
- doesn’t interact w/ water
- function: long term energy storage and thermal insulation
explain lipids phospholipids (organic macromolecules) (what is it)
- a modified triglycerides
- ampeiathetic molecules (one end likes water, the other doesn’t)
- hydrophobic fatty acid tail (doesn’t like water)
- hydrophilic end loves water
explain lipids steroids (organic macromolecule) (function,, what it is formed from)
- flat molecule of 4 interlocking hydrocarbon rings
- formed from cholesterol
- function: sex hormones eg. oestrogeen, progesterone, testosterone
explain lipids - other lipids role (organic macromolecule)
role in blood clotting, pain sensitisation, inflammation and uterine contractions in labor
explain proteins (organic macromolecule) (what does it contain and the two structural classifications)
- contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen
- two structural classifications: fibrous, globular
- fibrous: strand like
- globular: compact and spherical. Crucial role in all biological processes and is a catalyst for transportation substances within blood
- made up of amino acids
what happens if proteins change shape (organic macromolecule)
- alter/destroy protein as the enzyme can not catalyse the reaction as there is no active site
- can denatured by changing pH or increase in temperature
- signifiant denaturation causes permanent protein loss, cell malfunction, disease and death
explain nucleic acids (organic macromolecule)
what is it made from, what are two classes
- largest and complex molecules in the body
- two classes either DNA, RNA
- made from hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,phosphorus
- built from nucleotides
what is DNA
- constitutes genetic makeup
- role: self replication , instructions for building proteins
- four bases make it up
- class of nucleotide