Introduction to Functional Groups and Chemical Reactions in Biochemistry

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes detailing chemical equation components, reaction types, and relevant metabolic and chemical examples.

Citric Acid Cycle

A metabolic pathway occurring in cells that provides energy.

Reactants

The starting components in a chemical reaction that react with each other to yield a product or products.

Aqueous Symbol ($aq$)

A state of matter designation in a chemical equation indicating that a component is in a solution in water.

Coefficients

Numbers placed in front of elements or compounds in a chemical equation that result from balancing the equation.

Hard Water

Water containing dissolved minerals such as calcium ions, magnesium ions, or ferric ions.

Nitrous Oxide ($N_2O$)

Also known as dinitrogen monoxide or laughing gas; a compound used as a dental anesthetic.

Nitric Oxide ($NO$)

A colorless toxic gas produced by the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen that acts in small concentrations as a vasodilator.

Vasodilator

An agent or substance that dilates or opens blood vessels.

Combustion Reaction

An oxidation reaction that occurs anytime a substance burns by reacting with oxygen.

Addition Reaction

A general chemistry reaction type where two reactants combine to form a single compound ($A + B \rightarrow AB$); also called a synthesis or condensation reaction in organic chemistry and biochemistry.

Carbonic Acid ($H_2CO_3$)

An addition product formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water in blood serum, helping to maintain blood pH within a normal range.

Decomposition Reaction

A reaction where a compound breaks down into simpler substances ($AB \rightarrow A + B$), often requiring heat.

Decarboxylation

A specific decomposition reaction resulting from the loss of carbon dioxide from a carboxylic acid functional group.

Enzyme

A protein that functions to speed up a chemical reaction.

Single Replacement Reaction

A reaction type in which an element reacts with a compound and replaces one of its components ($A + BC \rightarrow AC + B$).

Double Replacement Reaction

A reaction type in which two compounds exchange components to form two new compounds ($AB + CD \rightarrow AD + CB$).

Magnesium Hydroxide ($Mg(OH)_2$)

An ionic compound that serves as the active ingredient in the antacid Milk of Magnesia.

Calcium Carbonate ($CaCO_3$)

An ionic compound that forms eggshells and acts as the active ingredient in the antacid TUMS.

Polyatomic Ions

Charged units composed of multiple covalently bonded atoms (such as nitrate, phosphate, and hydroxide) that can be balanced as single units in chemical equations.