Chemical Basis of Life - Chapter 2 Flashcards

A comprehensive set of 150 practice flashcards in question-and-answer format covering Chapter 2: Chemical Basis of Life, including atomic structure, periodic table specifics, chemical bonding, reactions, pH measurements, and organic/inorganic cell chemistry.

What is the definition of chemistry?

The study of matter.

What is the definition of biochemistry?

The chemistry of organisms.

Why do body functions depend on cellular functions?

Because cellular functions result from chemical reactions.

How does biochemistry assist in the study of physiology?

Biochemistry helps us understand and explain physiological processes.

What is matter?

Anything that has weight and takes up space.

What three states of matter are specified in the notes?

Solids, liquids, and gases.

What is matter composed of?

Elements.

What are elements composed of?

Chemically identical atoms.

What are bulk elements?

Elements that are needed in LARGE amounts by the body.

What are trace elements?

Elements that are needed in SMALLER amounts by the body.

What are ultratrace elements?

Elements that are needed in VERY SMALL amounts by the body.

What is an atom?

The smallest particle of an element and its basic unit.

What two main components make up the structure of an atom?

1. Nucleus and 2. Energy Levels/Shells.

What charge and mass does a proton have?

Positive charge ($+$) and a mass of $1\,\text{amu}$.

What charge does a neutron have?

No charge.

Where are electrons located in an atom and what charge do they carry?

In energy levels/shells, carrying a negative charge ($-$).

Why are all atoms electrically neutral?

Because the number of protons ($p^+$) equals the number of electrons ($e^-$).

How is atomic number defined?

Atomic number = number of protons.

How is atomic weight calculated?

Atomic weight = number of protons + neutrons.

What are isotopes?

Atoms of the same element having different atomic weights.

What is the atomic number and atomic mass of Hydrogen (H)?

Atomic number = 1, Atomic mass = 1.00794.

What state of matter is Hydrogen (H) on the periodic table?

Gas.

What state of matter and atomic mass are given for Carbon (C)?

Solid; Atomic mass = 12.0107.

What is the atomic number and atomic mass of Nitrogen (N)?

Atomic number = 7, Atomic mass = 14.0067.

What is the atomic mass of Oxygen (O)?

15.9994.

What is a molecule?

Formed when two or more atoms combine.

What are compounds?

Formed when atoms of different elements combine.

What are molecular formulas used for?

Used to show the numbers and kinds of atoms present in a molecule.

What is the molecular formula for water?

$H_2O$.

Why is Oxygen ($O_2$) classified as an element rather than a compound?

Because it is made of chemically identical atoms.

What is the molecular formula for glucose?

$C_6H_{12}O_6$.

What are chemical bonds?

Links that form between atoms of opposite charges.

What chemical formula is produced when $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ bond?

$NaCl$ (sodium chloride).

What is an ion?

An atom that has gained or lost electrons and is electrically charged.

What is a cation?

A positively charged ion.

How is a cation formed?

When an atom LOSES an electron.

What is an anion?

A negatively charged ion.

How is an anion formed?

When an atom GAINS an electron.

In ionic bonding, what happens when a sodium atom loses an electron to a chlorine atom?

The sodium atom becomes a sodium ion ($Na^+$), and the chlorine atom becomes a chloride ion ($Cl^-$).

How do oppositely charged ions join together?

They attract electrically and join by an ionic bond.

How does a covalent bond form?

Forms when atoms SHARE electrons rather than gaining or losing them.

What is the result of covalent bonding?

Molecules.

What does each dash represent in a covalent bond representation?

A pair of shared electrons (single covalent bond).

What do chemical reactions do?

Form or break bonds between atoms, ions, or molecules.

What are reactants?

Starting materials that are changed by chemical reactions.

What are products?

Atoms, ions, or molecules formed at the end of a chemical reaction.

In the chemical reaction $NaCl \rightarrow Na^+ + Cl^-$, identify the reactant and products.

Reactant: $NaCl$; Products: $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$.

What formula represents a SYNTHESIS reaction?

$A + B \rightarrow AB$.

What example of a synthesis reaction is given in the text?

$Na^+ + Cl^- \rightarrow NaCl$.

What formula represents a DECOMPOSITION reaction?

$AB \rightarrow A + B$.

What example of a decomposition reaction is given in the text?

$NaCl \rightarrow Na^+ + Cl^-$.

What formula represents an EXCHANGE reaction?

$AB + CD \rightarrow CB + AD$.

What example of an exchange reaction is given in the text?

$HCl + NaOH \rightarrow NaCl + H_2O$ ($HOH$).

How is a reversible reaction illustrated in the text?

$A + B \rightleftharpoons AB$.

What are electrolytes?

Substances that release ions in water.

What is the example equation given for an electrolyte releasing ions in water?

$NaCl \rightarrow Na^+ + Cl^-$.

What are acids?

Electrolytes that release hydrogen ions in water.

What example equation is given for an acid?

$HCl \rightarrow H^+ + Cl^-$.

What are bases?

Substances that combine with hydrogen.

What example equation is given for a base?

$NaOH \rightarrow Na^+ + OH^-$.

How are salts formed?

When bases and acids react to form electrolytes.

What example equation is given for the formation of a salt and water?

$HCl + NaOH \rightarrow H_2O + NaCl$.

What is pH a measurement of?

The $H^+$ concentration of a solution.

What is the numerical scale of pH?

0-14.

What pH range indicates an acidic solution (acidosis)?

1-6.

What pH value represents a neutral solution?

7.

What pH range indicates a basic solution (alkalosis)?

8-14.

As pH decreases from 6 to 0, what happens to the $H^+$ concentration?

$H^+$ concentration increases.

As pH increases from 8 to 14, what happens to the $OH^-$ concentration?

$OH^-$ concentration increases.

What is the pH of gastric juice?

2.0.

What is the pH of apple juice?

3.0.

What is the pH of tomato juice?

4.2.

What is the pH of cabbage?

5.3.

What is the pH of corn?

6.0.

What is the pH of cow's milk?

6.6.

What is the pH of distilled water?

7.0.

What is the pH of human blood?

7.4.

What is the pH of egg white?

8.0.

What is the pH of sodium bicarbonate?

8.4.

What is the pH of milk of magnesia?

10.5.

What is the pH of household ammonia?

11.5.

What defines an ORGANIC compound?

Contains carbon and hydrogen in rings and chains.

What defines an INORGANIC compound?

Everything else that does not contain carbon and hydrogen in rings and chains.

In terms of relative size, how do organic molecules compare to inorganic molecules?

Organic molecules are usually larger than inorganic molecules.

Do organic molecules release ions when they dissolve in water?

No, they dissolve in water but do not release ions.

What are the four major types of organic molecules?

Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Do inorganic molecules release ions when they dissolve in water?

Yes, they dissolve in water and release ions.

What four inorganic substances are specifically listed on Page 19?

Water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and inorganic salts.

What type of chemical bonding is almost always present in organic compounds?

Covalent bonds.

How much of body weight is made up of water?

$\frac{2}{3}$ of weight.

What is the primary role of inorganic salts in the body?

Electrolyte balance.

What are the main functions of carbohydrates?

Provide energy for most cells, store reserve energy, and provide materials to build cell structures.

What elements are found in carbohydrates?

Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O).

What is the Hydrogen to Oxygen (H:O) ratio in carbohydrates?

2:1.

What are two chemical formulas for carbohydrates listed on Page 22?

$C_6H_{12}O_6$ and $C_{12}H_{22}O_{11}$.

In carbohydrates, what structural forms can carbon take?

Chains or rings.

What are monosaccharides?

Simple sugars.

What six monosaccharides are listed in the text?

Glucose, dextrose, fructose, galactose, ribose, and deoxyribose.

What are disaccharides?

Double sugars (2 rings of carbon).

What two disaccharides are listed in the text?

Sucrose and lactose.