Introduction to Biochemistry and Water Properties

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental biochemistry definitions, branches, themes, biomolecules, and water properties.

Biochemistry

The field combining Biology and Chemistry to study the life processes of living organisms at biological and chemical levels; coined by Carl Alexander Neuberg in 1930.

Carl Alexander Neuberg

The scientist referred to as the 'Father of Modern Biochemistry' who coined the term 'Biochemistry' in 1930.

Molecular Biology

The branch known as the 'root of biochemistry' that studies and analyzes processes, metabolic cycles, and macromolecular synthesis in living organisms at a molecular level.

Cell Biology

The branch of biochemistry focusing on the structure, function, morphology, and intrinsic processes of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.

Genetics

The study of genes, their mutations and variations, and the characteristics of heredity within cells, organisms, and populations.

Biotechnology

Technology that utilizes biological systems, living organisms, or parts of organisms to develop or create products.

Genetic Engineering

A set of laboratory technologies used to alter an organism's DNA by removing, deleting, or inserting segments of DNA to give it new or enhanced traits.

Endocrinology

A branch of medicine specializing in diagnosing and treating disorders of the endocrine system, including hormone-producing glands and organs.

Neurochemistry

A branch of neuroscience focused on studying chemical substances (such as neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and hormones) and biochemical processes within the nervous system.

Immunology

The study of the immune system and immunity, encompassing the range of defenses developed to protect against infections from microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Virology

The scientific study of viruses and virus-like agents, including their genetics, structure, classification, evolution, infection mechanisms, and therapy applications.

Chemotaxonomy

The scientific field (also known as chemosystematics) that classifies and identifies organisms based on differences and similarities in their chemical and biochemical compositions.

Xenobiotics

Chemical compounds that are foreign to living organisms, including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other man-made chemicals.

Nutrition

The biochemical process of consuming, processing, and metabolizing food and water to fuel the body, support growth, and maintain life functions.

Bioremediation

The application of environmental biochemistry where the metabolic traits of certain organisms are used to help clean and preserve the environment.

Toxicology

The scientific study of the harmful and adverse effects that occur in living organisms due to chemicals, substances, or environmental agents.

Homeostasis

The steady, non-equilibrium state in which a cell or organism recognizes changing internal and external conditions and regulates its activities within safe limits.

Monosaccharides

Simple carbohydrates with the general chemical formula $(CH_2O)_n$ (where $n \ge 3$) that serve as a primary dietary source of energy.

Glucose

A monosaccharide containing six carbon atoms with the chemical formula $C_6H_{12}O_6$ that forms a cyclic structure in solution.

Polypeptide

A single chain of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds, where 'poly-' means many and '-peptide' means a molecule with at least two amino acids.

Essential Amino Acids

The nine amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be consumed through dietary sources like beef, eggs, and dairy.

PVT TIM HALL

A mnemonic for the essential amino acids: Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Isoleucine, Methionine, Histidine, Arginine, Leucine, and Lysine.

Nucleic Acids

Biological polymers (DNA and RNA) that store and transfer hereditary information and participate in protein synthesis through transcription and translation.

Lipids

Non-polymeric organic substances that are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents, serving as cellular structural components and chief energy sources.

Polar Molecule

A molecule containing uneven charge distribution, such as water where the oxygen atom carries a slight negative charge ($\delta^-$) and hydrogen atoms carry slight positive charges ($\delta^+$).

Hydrogen Bond

An electrostatic attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen atom and another slightly negative atom or ion.

Cohesion

The attraction among molecules of the same substance, which holds water molecules together and creates surface tension.

Adhesion

The attraction among molecules of different substances, causing water to cling to other materials.

Capillary Action

The process where liquid flows upward through narrow spaces against gravity due to the combined effects of adhesion and cohesion.

High Specific Heat of Water

The property requiring $4{,}184\,\text{Joules}$ ($1\,\text{kcal}$) of heat energy to raise the temperature of $1\,\text{kg}$ of water by $1^\circ\text{C}$.

Solute

The substance in a solution that gets dissolved, typically present in the smaller quantity.

Solvent

The substance in a solution that dissolves the solute, typically present in the larger quantity.

Hydrophilic

'Water-loving' polar substances (such as salts, alcohols, and some sugars) that readily dissolve in water.

Hydrophobic

'Water-fearing' nonpolar substances (such as fats, oils, and waxes) that do not dissolve in or mix with water.

Biological Buffer

A system that maintains a stable $\text{pH}$ in body fluids by absorbing excess $H^+$ ions or releasing $H^+$ when base is added.

pKa

A numerical scale measuring acid strength; lower $pK_a$ values represent stronger acids with a greater tendency to donate protons ($H^+$).

Bicarbonate Buffer System

The primary blood buffer system involving carbonic acid ($H_2CO_3$) and bicarbonate ($HCO_3^-$) that prevents blood acidosis during increased cellular respiration.

Acidosis

A physiological condition resulting from an abnormal drop in blood $\text{pH}$, causing fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.

Phosphate Buffer System

The intracellular buffer system involving dihydrogen phosphate ($H_2PO_4^-$) and hydrogen phosphate ($HPO_4^{2-}$) that maintains cytosolic $\text{pH}$ around $7.0\text{ to }7.2$.