Biochemistry and Chemistry Review

Vocabulary flashcards generated from the chemistry, biochemistry, vital signs, and atomic radiation lecture notes.

Chemistry

The science that studies the composition of substances and the changes that take place in their composition.

Biochemistry

The study of the chemical composition and reactions of living matter, or the chemistry of living organisms.

Matter

Anything that has weight and takes up space, encompassing solids, liquids, and gases.

Isotopes

Atoms that have the same atomic numbers (number of protons) but different atomic weights due to having a different number of neutrons.

Radioisotopes

Unstable isotopes with nuclei that decompose, releasing energy or parts of themselves.

Atomic Radiation

Energy or fragments released by unstable radioactive isotopes, existing in three forms: alpha, beta, and gamma.

Alpha ($\alpha$) Radiation

Radiation consisting of particles from nuclei made of packets of $2\text{p} + 2\text{n}$ that travel slowly, have weak penetrating abilities, and cannot penetrate the skin.

Beta ($\beta$) Radiation

Radiation consisting of very small, electron-like particles that travel rapidly, penetrate matter deeply, and can penetrate skin.

Gamma ($\gamma$) Radiation

Electromagnetic energy similar to X-ray radiation that represents the most penetrating form of atomic radiation.

Homeostasis

The tendency of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment, such as maintaining body temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar level.

Cell

The basic unit of structure and function in the human organism.

Vital Signs

Clinical measurements resulting from metabolic activities, including body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate and type, and respiration rate and type.

Organic Compounds

Molecules containing carbon ($C$) and hydrogen ($H$) that are covalently bonded, often large, and include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Inorganic Compounds

Compounds that do not contain both carbon ($C$) and hydrogen ($H$), including water, salts, acids, and bases.

Nonelectrolytes

Organic compounds that may dissolve in water but usually do not release ions.

Electrolytes

Substances that release ions when they dissolve in water or react with water molecules.

Acids

Electrolytes that release hydrogen ions ($H^+$) and anions when dissolved in water.

Proton Donors

An alternate definition for acids, derived from the fact that a hydrogen ion ($H^+$) is simply a naked hydrogen nucleus or proton.

Buffers

Chemical substances that resist changes in body fluid pH by releasing $H^+$ when pH increases or releasing a substance that binds $H^+$ when pH decreases.

Free $H^+$

Unbound hydrogen ions in solution, which exclusively determine the acidity and pH of that solution.

Salt

An ionic compound containing cations other than $H^+$ and anions other than the hydroxyl ion ($OH^-$).

Calcium Phosphates

Common inorganic salts in the body responsible for making bones and teeth hard.

Water

An inorganic compound making up about $\frac{2}{3}$ ($66\%$) of the human body, serving as a medium for chemical reactions and transporting chemicals and heat.

Oxygen

An inorganic substance transported to cells by blood and used by organelles to release energy that drives metabolic reactions.

Carbon Dioxide

A waste product produced when energy is released during cellular respiration.