Comprehensive Human Anatomy and Physiology Chemistry Review Guide

Anatomy

The study of the structure of body parts and their structural relationships with one another.

Physiology

The study of the function of body structures and how individual parts work together.

Principle of Complementarity of Structure and Function

The concept that function always reflects structure; what a structure can do depends entirely on its specific form.

Dynamic Equilibrium

A dynamic state of bodily balance in homeostasis characterized by continuous fluctuations around an established set point.

Four Major Elements of the Human Body

Carbon ($\text{C}$), Hydrogen ($\text{H}$), Oxygen ($\text{O}$), and Nitrogen ($\text{N}$), which comprise approximately $96\%$ of total body weight.

Isotopes

Structural variations of an element that have the same number of protons and electrons but differ in the number of neutrons.

Solutions

Homogeneous mixtures that maintain an identical composition throughout, consisting of a solute dissolved in a solvent.

Colloids (Emulsions)

Heterogeneous mixtures with medium-sized solute particles that scatter light and undergo sol-gel transformations without settling out.

Suspensions

Heterogeneous mixtures containing large, visible solute particles that settle out over time if left undisturbed (e.g., whole blood).

Octet Rule

The tendency of atoms to interact in ways that achieve $8$ electrons in their valence shell, with the exception of Shell 1 which is filled by $2$ electrons.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed by the complete transfer of valence electrons from one atom to another, resulting in oppositely charged ions.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed when two or more atoms share valence electrons to achieve stability.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attractive force between a partial positive hydrogen atom of one polar molecule and a partial negative atom of another polar molecule.

Endergonic Reactions

Chemical reactions that absorb net energy from the environment, resulting in products with greater potential energy than reactants.

Exergonic Reactions

Chemical reactions that release net energy into the environment, resulting in products with lower potential energy than reactants.

Enzymes

Globular protein catalysts that increase chemical reaction rates by lowering the activation energy ($E_a$) without being consumed in the process.

Nucleic Acids

Biological macromolecules composed of nucleotide monomers (pentose sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base) that store and execute genetic information.