Unit 1 - Chemistry of Life Flashcards
What are the two groups of Mineral salts?
- Macroelements - Needed in Large quantities
* Microelements - Needed in very small quantity
Name the 4 Macroelements
Calcium (Ca), Potasssium (K), Sodium (Na) and Phosphorus (P)
What is the function of Calcium in the body?
Builds strong teeth and bones
What is the function of Phosphorus in the body?
- Builds strong bones and teeth component.
* Important component of ATP, DNA and RNA
What is the function of Sodium in the body?
- Water Balance
* Nerve and muscle function.
What is the function of Potassium in the body?
- Water Balance
* Nerve and muscle function.
Name the 2 Microelements
Iron (Fe) and Iodine (I)
What is the function of Iron in the body?
Forms haemoglobin in animals and chlorophyll in plants
What is the function of Iodine in the body?
Serves as a central component of thyroxine
Which elements make up carbohydrates.
Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O) - normally where there are exactly double the Hydrogen than Carbon and Oxygen.
Give 4 examples of organic compounds
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Proteins
- Vitamins
What are the 3 types of Carbohydrates?
- Monosaccharides
- Disaccharides
- Polysaccharides
What are Monosaccharides and name 3 types?
- Single ring structured carbohydrate
* Glucose, Fructose, Galactose
What type of Disaccharide are formed when these Monosaccharides are joined
- Glucose + Glucose:
- Glucose + Fructose:
- Glucose + Galactose:
- Maltose
- Sucrose
- Lactose
What are Polysaccharides?
Long-chain of Monosaccharides. The way the chain folds and connects defines the type of polysaccharide.
What is Cellulose?
Polysaccharide serving as a main component of plant cell walls
What is Glycogen?
Polysaccharide found in animal cells
What are the functions of Carbohydrates?
Provide and store energy when needed
Which elements make up Lipids?
Carbon (C), Oxygen (O) and Hydrogen (H) - but more than double Hydrogen than Oxygen and
Carbon atoms.
What are the 3 functions of Lipids
- Source of reserve energy
- Insulating material
- Shock absorption
- Component of cell membrane
- Waterproofing
- Absorption of vitamin A, D, E and K
- Source of Water
Which elements do proteins contain?
Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O) and Nitrogen (N)
What happens when proteins are exposed to high temperatures?
They lose their structure and function-denature
Name 3 functions of proteins
- Stores energy
- Main component of enzymes
- Building material in the body
- Main component of hormones
- Main component of haemoglobin
- Produce antibodies
- Main component of chromosomes
What is the physical appearance of an individual if they have Marasmus?
- Old-man appearance
- Thin limbs
- Very underweight
What is the physical appearance of an individual if they have Kwashiorkor?
- Swollen legs
- Sparse hair
- Swollen abdomen
- Listless
What are enzymes?
Proteins that act as catalysts (substances that speed up reactions)
What is an Anabolic Reaction?
Anabolic reaction is an energy-consuming process where complex models are built from simple models
What is a Catabolic Reaction?
Catabolic reaction results from the complex models being broken down, releasing energy
What is a substrate?
Substance on which the enzymes act
Define the property of enzymes to be substrate specific
Each enzyme can only react with a specific substrate
True or False? Temperature effects enzymes
True
Low temps make enzymes ____
Inactive
At what temperature and higher do the enzymes lose their shape and its function.
40°C
At what temperature do (most) enzymes function the best
37°C
Enzymes denature at _______ ph levels
Extreme
Which substance is used to test the presence of starch?
Iodine Solution
What are the 2 reagents used for testing the presence of Carbohydrates?
Fehling’s A & B
Benedict’s solution
What is the chemical formula for Biuret test?
CuSO4 (Copper Sulfate) + NaOH (Sodium Hydroxide)
For Vitamin A:
- What is the source?
- What us the deficiency disease?
- Yellow vegetables, fish oil, liver, egg yolk
2. Night blindness.
For Vitamin B1:
- What is the source?
- What us the deficiency disease?
- Brown rice, bread, legumes
2. Nervous disorder
For Vitamin C:
- What is the source?
- What us the deficiency disease?
- Citrus fruit, tomato, green leafy vegetables
2. Internal bleeding, Scurvy, bleeding gums
For Vitamin D:
- What is the source?
- What us the deficiency disease?
- Oily fish, egg yolk, liver, milk
2. Rickets, soft bones and weakened skeleton
What is a good source of Vitamin E?
Leafy vegetables
What are the 2 main Inorganic compounds?
Water and Mineral Salts
What is the difference between Organic and Inorganic compounds?
Inorganic compounds do not contain Carbon (C) and are not produced by living organisms, as compared to Organic compounds.
Explain the process of starch absorption by animals
In the form of starch, animals cannot make use of the stored energy. Instead, any absorbed starch is broken down into glucose monomers. This glucose can be readily used. However, in the case of excess glucose being formed, the body releases insulin to convert the glucose into glycogen. When needed, glucagon is secreted to convert the glycogen back into glucose, and as thus the cycle continues.
What are the functions of water in the body?
- Acts as a solvent in which mineral salts can dissolve
- All chemical reactions can take place in water
- Breaks down polymers (Hydrolysis)
- Acts as a transporting and lubricating agent
- Regulates body temperature
- Gives shape and rigidity to certain organisms
Explain the difference between saturated and unsaturated lipids
- Saturated lipids, the unhealthier of the two, occurs when the carbon atoms are filled to their capacity with hydrogen atoms. They are solid at room temperature and are known as fats.
- Unsaturated lipids, the healthier of the two, occurs when carbon atoms still have much space to bond with hydrogen atoms. They are liquid at room temperature and are known as oils.
