Basic Chemistry (Chapter 2) - Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology - Flashcards

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering matter and energy, atomic structure, chemical bonds, chemical reactions, inorganic and organic compounds, and the major biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids) includingATP and enzyme function, based on Chapter 2 of Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology.

What is matter?

Anything that occupies space and has mass.

Name the three states of matter.

Solid, Liquid, Gas.

Solid

Definite shape and volume

Liquid

definite volume, shape of containe

Gas

neither definite shape nor volume.

How can matter be changed?

Physically (changes do not alter the basic nature) or chemically (changes the chemical composition).

What is energy?

The ability to do work; has no mass and does not take up space.

Differentiate kinetic energy from potential energy.

Kinetic energy is energy in action doing work; Potential energy is stored or inactive energy.

List forms of energy.

Chemical energy, Electrical energy, Mechanical energy and Radiant energy.

Example of chemical energy

Bonds

Example of mechanical energy?

Movement of charged particles

Example of mechanical energy?

Moving matter

Example of radiant energy?

Electromagnetic waves

What is ATP and its role in energy storage?

Adenosine triphosphate; stores chemical energy in its phosphate bonds and powers cellular work.

What elements make up about 96% of the human body and their symbols?

Oxygen (O) 65%, Carbon (C) 18.5%, Hydrogen (H) 9.5%, Nitrogen (N) 3.2%.

What is an atomic symbol?

The chemical shorthand used to represent an element.

What are atoms?

Building blocks of elements; differ from one another; represented by the atomic symbol.

What is neutrons charge?

Neutral

What is protons charge?

Positive?

What is electrons charge?

Negative

Why are atoms electrically neutral?

Because the number of protons equals the number of electrons, so charges cancel.

What is an ion?

An atom that has gained or lost electrons, acquiring a positive or negative charge.

What are anions?

negatively charged due to electron gain.

What are cations?

positively charged due to electron loss.

What is an ionic bond?

Formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating oppositely charged ions that attract.

What is a covalent bond?

Atoms stabilize by sharing electrons; electrons are shared in pairs.

Nonpolar covalent

Bonds that electrons shares equally. for example CO2.

Polar covalent bonds

Bonds that share electrons unequally. Example H20

What are hydrogen bonds?

Extremely weak bonds formed when a hydrogen atom is attracted to a electronegative atom (O or N) in another molecule; important for water surface tension and protein structure.

What is a synthesis reaction?

Two or more substances combine to form a larger, more complex molecule; energy absorbed; anabolic processes.

What is a decomposition reaction?

A molecule is broken down into smaller molecules; energy released; catabolic processes.

What is an exchange reaction?

Bonds are broken and formed as parts of molecules switch partners; occurs with synthesis and decomposition.

Are most chemical reactions reversible?

Yes; shown by a double arrow; the longer arrow indicates the more rapid direction.

What are factors that increase the rate of chemical reactions?

Higher temperature, higher concentration, smaller particle size, and presence of catalysts.

What is an inorganic compound?

A compound that lacks carbon, water, and salts

What is an organic compound?

A compound that contains carbon, large covalent molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids).

What are the key properties of water as an inorganic compound?

High heat capacity, polarity/solvent properties, chemical reactivity (hydrolysis), cushioning.

What are salts and electrolytes?

Salts dissociate into ions in water; electrolytes conduct electricity.

What is pH?

A measure of hydrogen (H+) and hydroxide (OH-) ion concentration in fluids; scale 0–14; 7 is neutral; each unit represents a tenfold change in H+.

What is the normal blood pH on average?

Approximately 7.4.

What are buffers?

Chemicals that regulate and stabilize pH changes.

What are carbohydrates and how are they classified?

Contain C, H, O; monosaccharides (simple sugars), disaccharides (two sugars), polysaccharides (long chains of sugars).

What are monosaccharides? Examples.

Single-chain or single-ring sugars; 3–7 carbon atoms; examples include glucose, fructose, galactose, ribose, and deoxyribose.

What are disaccharides? Examples.

Two simple sugars joined by dehydration synthesis; examples: sucrose, lactose, maltose.

What are polysaccharides and their function?

Long, branched chains of linked simple sugars; large, insoluble molecules; function as storage (e.g., starch, glycogen).

What are lipids and their main types?

Contain C, H, O; insoluble in water; major types: triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids; triglycerides store energy.

What is a triglyceride composed of?

Glycerol backbone with three fatty acid chains; can be saturated (no double bonds) or unsaturated (one or more double bonds).

What are trans fats?

hydrogenated fats that increase heart disease risk.

What are omega-3 acids?

They are found in fish/plant sources; may decrease heart disease risk.

What are phospholipids and their role?

Two fatty acid chains and a polar, phosphate-containing head; amphipathic; form cell membranes.

What are steroids and give examples?

Lipids including cholesterol, bile salts, vitamin D, and some hormones; cholesterol is the basis for steroid hormones.

What are proteins and their primary roles?

Major organic matter

• provide structure, act as enzymes, hormones, antibodies; built from amino acids.

What are amino acids and their basic structure?

Have an amine group, a carboxyl group (COOH), and a variable R-group.

What are the four levels of protein structure?

• Primary (sequence),

• Secondary (alpha-helix or beta-pleated sheet),

• Tertiary (3D folding),

• Quaternary (two or more polypeptides).

What is the difference between fibrous and globular proteins?

Fibrous proteins provide structure and are usually insoluble; globular proteins are functional (enzymes, antibodies) and soluble.

What are Globular protiens?

proteins that are functional (enzymes, antibodies) and soluble.

What are enzymes and how do they work?

Biological catalysts that speed up reactions; bind substrates at an active site to form an enzyme-substrate complex; many end with -ase.

What are nucleic acids and their two main types?

DNA and RNA; carry genetic information and direct protein synthesis.

What are nucleotides composed of?

A nitrogenous base (A, G, C, T, U), a five-carbon sugar, and a phosphate group.

What is DNA and its basic features?

Deoxyribonucleic acid; genetic material in nucleus; double-stranded helix; sugar is deoxyribose; bases A, T, C, G; replicates before cell division.

What is RNA and its basic features?

Ribonucleic acid; single-stranded; sugar is ribose; bases A, U, C, G; types include mRNA, tRNA, rRNA.

What is ATP and how does it provide energy?

Adenosine triphosphate; energy currency of cells; energy released by hydrolysis of high-energy phosphate bonds to ADP.

How does ATP drive cellular work?

Chemical work (drives reactions), Transport work (moves solutes across membranes), Mechanical work (drives muscle contraction).

What does hydrolysis mean?

Breaking bonds by adding water.

What does dehydration synthesis mean?

Joining monomers by removing water.