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the chemistry of life Flashcards

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Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

name the 6 characteristics of life

A
  1. consists of cells
  2. grow and develop
  3. regulate metabolism
  4. react to stimuli
  5. reproduce
  6. adapt to environments
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2
Q

what are the 4 main characteristics of inorganic compounds

A
  1. do not have a living origin
  2. do not contain carbon
  3. are elements and simple molecules
  4. do not burn in oxygen
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3
Q

explain the hydrogen bonds of water

A

are strong intermolecular forces that are responsible for cohesion forces between water molecules

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4
Q

explain the polar nature of water

A

is the reason why water can form strong adhesive forces with many other substances

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5
Q

why is the mineral carbon important

A

it is essential to animals and plants

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6
Q

why is the mineral nitrogen important

A

is an essential element of amino acids, proteins and DNA

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7
Q

what is the pH scale

A

is an instrument to indicate the degree of acidity or alkalinity

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8
Q

most enzymes in the human body function at optimally ___ to slightly ____

A

neutral alkaline

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9
Q

what is a buffer

A

is a substance that counteracts pH changes

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10
Q

what is the function of salts

A

help with conducting nerve impulses and muscle functioning

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11
Q

what are the 4 characteristics of organic compounds

A
  1. generally have a living origin
  2. contain large numbers of carbon
  3. are complex molecules
  4. are combustible in oxygen
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12
Q

what do carbohydrates contain

A

carbon , hydrogen and oxygen

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13
Q

describe a monosaccharide and it’s 3 different types

A
  • contains 3-7 carbon atoms
  • triose (3C)
  • pentose (5C)
  • hexose ( 6C)
    • glucose, fructose and galactose
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14
Q

describe a disaccharide and it’s 3 types

A
  • is 2 monosaccharides bonded together
  • glucose + glucose = maltose
  • glucose + fructose = sucrose
  • glucose + galactose = lactose

is water soluble

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15
Q

describe what a polysaccharide is

A

is a macromolecule that consists of thousands of interconnected monomers, usually glucose

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16
Q

starch is a polysaccharide, describe it

A
  • is stored in plants
  • amylase has shorter branches chains
  • amylopectin has longer chains and is the most common form of starch and is not soluble in water
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17
Q

glycogen is a polysaccharide, describe it

A
  • sometimes referred to as animal starch
  • is soluble in water
  • stored in the muscle and liver cells
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18
Q

cellulose is a polysaccharide, describe it

A
  • is the structural polysaccharide in plants
  • provides strength and support
  • we cannot digest it
  • creates roughage to stimulate peristalsis
  • is insoluble in water
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19
Q

chitin is a polysaccharide, describe it

A
  • found in the exoskeleton of insects
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20
Q

fats and oils are ____ in water

A

insoluble

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21
Q

what are the building blocks of fats

A

glycerol and fatty acids

22
Q

why are saturated fats dangerous

A

they are harder than polyunsaturated fats and can cause cardiovascular disease and are unhealthy

23
Q

why do we need fats

A

for metabolic reactions and because some vitamins are only soluble in fat

24
Q

why is cholesterol essential

A

for forming the cell membrane

25
Q

what are the building blocks of protein

A

amino acids

26
Q

all ____ are proteins

A

enzymes

27
Q

what are the functions of proteins

A
  1. play a role in transport
  2. play a structural role
  3. is a reserve form of energy
  4. is important for support and repair of cells
28
Q

what are amino acids bounded by

A

peptide bonds

29
Q

enzymes are biological catalysts, explain this

A

they start or accelerate chemical reactions without undergoing any changes themselves

30
Q

what is the lock and key mechanism that enzymes work according to

A

the enzyme has an active center that will only recognize a specific molecule or substrate

31
Q

what are the 2 types of reactions that enzymes can perform

A

anabolic and catabolic

32
Q

explain what co factors are

A
  • they are non protein parts that help the enzymes perform
  • can be organic or inorganic
  • most minerals act as co factors
33
Q

explain what co enzymes are

A
  • they are organic non protein parts that help enzymes perform
  • many vitamins are co enzymes
34
Q

explain all the details of the mineral calcium

A
  • source is fish
  • plays a role in muscle contraction
  • deficiency can lead to ineffective blood clotting
35
Q

explain all the details of the mineral potassium

A
  • source is fruit
  • helps relax muscles
  • deficiency can lead to irregular heart best
36
Q

explain all the details of the mineral sodium

A
  • source is salt
  • helps with muscle contraction
  • deficiency can lead to muscle cramps
37
Q

explain all the details of the mineral iodine

A
  • source is seafood
  • is part of the hormone thyroxin
  • deficiency can lead to a large thyroid gland
38
Q

explain all the details of the mineral iron

A
  • source is fish
  • is part of hemoglobin
  • deficiency can affect mental competency
39
Q

explain all the details of the mineral zinc

A
  • source is fish
  • is a co factor for at least 70 enzymes
  • cognitive ability
40
Q

explain all the details of the mineral selenium

A
  • source is meat
  • is an anti oxidant
  • deficiency can lead to problems in the immune system
41
Q

explain all the details of the vitamin A

A
  • source is the liver
  • is an anti oxidant
  • deficiency can cause night blindness
42
Q

explain all the details of the vitamin D

A
  • source is fish oil
  • promotes strong bones and teeth
  • deficiency can lead to rickets
43
Q

explain all the details of the vitamin E

A
  • source is nuts
  • protection against aging
  • deficiency can lead to damage of the nervous system
44
Q

explain all the details of the vitamin K

A
  • source is the intestinal bacteria
  • synthesis of proteins for blood clotting
  • blood clotting hampered
45
Q

explain all the details of the vitamin C

A
  • source is citrus
  • synthesis of collagen
  • deficiency will lead to weak capillary vessels
46
Q

explain all the details of the vitamin B1

A
  • source is liver
  • helps prevent constipation
  • deficiency will lead to weak muscles
47
Q

explain all the details of the vitamin B2

A
  • source is liver
  • is a co enzyme
  • deficiency leads to sore corners of the mouth
48
Q

explain all the details of the vitamin B3

A
  • source is liver
  • is a co enzyme in amino acid metabolism
  • deficiency will lead to reactions in cells to be blocked
49
Q

explain the food test for glucose

A
  • we use the Benedict solution

- a positive result will turn orange in color

50
Q

explain the food test for starch

A
  • we use iodine

- a positive test will turn the substance blue- black in color

51
Q

explain the food test for lipids

A
  • we use the ether test

- a positive result will show a fatty stain on the filter paper

52
Q

explain the food test for proteins

A
  • we use the biuret test

- a positive test will show a color change to violet

bio (5 decks)

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