Chemistry: The Central Science

chemistry / central science

the study of matter, its properties, composition, and changes

stereochemistry

the study of the arrangement of atoms or molecules

chirality

where mirror image and chemically identical molecules cannot perfectly overlap or be superimposed

molecular asymmetry

the foundation of stereochemistry that pasteur discovered while studying tartaric acid crystals (sodium ammonium tartrate)

thalidomides

• example of chirality

• S & R thalidomides are chemically identical but differ in 3d structure

• has the same formula but has different effects on the body

• not all forms of chirality have this result

interconversion

• S&R thalidomides can interconvert in the body

• both forms of thalidomides can be teratogenic (debunking the safe form)

fermentation

biological process caused by living microorganisms (yeast & bacteria)

• discovered by pasteur in the 1850s

• alters the taste, texture, and shelf life of food

pasteurization

extends shelf life, improves food safety, and has a major impact on public health

what did pasteur discover in pasteurization

that heating liquids such as wine and milk to a specific temperature kills harmful microbes wo affecting taste

• prevents spoilage and fermentation in milk, beer, and etc.

spontaneous generation or abiogenesis

prominent scientists before pasteur believed that life could just emerge from nonliving matter

• eg. maggots in spoiled food

swan neck flask experiment

how louis pasteur disproved spontaneous generation and supported biogenesis

biogenesis

life comes only from pre-existing life / environment

germ theory of disease

states that many diseases are caused by specific tiny living organisms (microbes or “germs”) that invade the body

• disproving the idea that illnesses originated internally on their own

epidemiology

the study of how diseases spread between organisms

• the silkworm experiment was the foundation to this

attenuation

the process of weakening a disease causing microorganism or pathogen while keeping its ability to trigger the immune system

attenuation in vaccines

vaccines contain the weakened germ, supporting the creation of antibodies when injected, developing immunity and preventing diseases in the future

virulence

the ability of a microorganism to cause disease and how severe it can be