Molecular Formulas and Chemical Reactions

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on molecular formulas, chemical reactions, pH, and macromolecules.

What does a molecular formula represent?

The numbers and types of atoms in a molecule.

How is glucose represented in a molecular formula?

C6H12O6, indicating it contains six carbon atoms, twelve hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms.

What is the formula for water?

H2O, containing two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

What type of bonds do hydrogen atoms form?

Single bonds.

What do structural formulas illustrate?

How atoms are joined and arranged into molecules.

What are reactants in a chemical reaction?

Substances that are changed by the reaction.

What are products in a chemical reaction?

Substances formed by the reaction.

What occurs during synthesis reactions?

Two or more atoms or molecules bond together to form a more complex product.

What is a decomposition reaction?

A reaction where larger molecules are broken down into smaller ones by breaking chemical bonds.

What do reversible reactions symbolize?

They can change back into the reactants, often represented with double arrows.

What are catalysts?

Substances that influence the speed of chemical reactions without being used up themselves.

What is the role of enzymes in the body?

Enzymes act as biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions.

What are electrolytes?

Substances that release ions in water and carry electrical charge in the body.

How does pH represent the concentration of hydrogen ions?

pH is the negative log of the hydrogen ion concentration.

What pH value indicates a neutral solution?

A pH of 7 indicates a neutral solution.

What does a pH lower than 7 indicate?

Acidity.

What do buffers do?

Minimize pH changes in body fluids by combining with excess acids or bases.

What defines an organic molecule in chemistry?

Organic molecules contain both hydrogen and carbon.

What are some examples of macromolecules?

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

What is the most abundant compound in living things?

Water.

What is the universal solvent?

Water, as it dissolves many substances and allows metabolic reactions to occur.

What are minerals necessary for in the body?

They play important roles in metabolic processes, including nerve action and muscle contraction.

What distinguishes carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically with twice as many hydrogen atoms as oxygen atoms.

What are monosaccharides?

Simple sugars with five to six carbon atoms, like glucose and fructose.

What are polysaccharides?

Long strands of many sugars, such as glycogen and starch.