Basic Principles of Chemistry for Body Processes (Video notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key chemistry concepts used in understanding body processes.

Elements

Substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical methods; all matter is composed of elements.

Atom

The smallest building block of matter that retains the properties of an element.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space; weight = mass plus the effects of gravity.

Weight

Mass plus the effects of gravity.

States of matter

Solid, liquid, and gas; each state has characteristic shape and volume.

Molecule

2 or more atoms bonded together.

Compound

A molecule that contains two or more different kinds of atoms bonded together.

Biochemistry

Study of chemical composition and reactions of living matter.

Inorganic compound

Compounds that do not contain carbon (e.g., water, salts, acids, bases).

Organic compound

Compounds that contain carbon, are covalently bonded, usually large (e.g., carbs, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids).

Water

Most abundant inorganic compound; properties include high heat capacity, high heat of vaporization, polar solvent, reactivity, cushioning.

Salts

Ionic compounds that dissociate into ions in water; electrolytes that conduct electricity; important for homeostasis.

Electrolyte

Ions that conduct electrical currents in solution and perform specialized roles in body functions.

Acids

Proton donors that release hydrogen ions (H+) in solution.

Bases

Proton acceptors that take up H+ from solution.

pH

A measure of relative [H+] in solution; 0–14 scale; acidic below 7, neutral at 7, alkaline above 7.

Neutral

Solutions with equal numbers of H+ and OH−; pH = 7.

Buffers

Substances that resist abrupt or large swings in pH.

Acidosis

Condition in which body fluids are too acidic; pH below normal (typically <7.35).

Alkalosis

Condition in which body fluids are too basic; pH above normal (typically >7.45).

Carbohydrates

Sugars and starches; polymers; contain C, H, O in a 2:1 H:O ratio.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars containing 3–7 carbon atoms; building blocks of carbohydrates.

Ribose

Pentose sugar found in RNA.

Deoxyribose

Pentose sugar found in DNA.

Glucose

Hexose sugar; blood sugar; a primary cellular fuel.

Disaccharides

Two monosaccharides linked; formed by dehydration synthesis; examples include sucrose, maltose, lactose.

Sucrose

Common disaccharide (table sugar); glucose + fructose.

Maltose

Disaccharide of two glucose molecules.

Lactose

Disaccharide of glucose and galactose.

Polysaccharides

Polymers of monosaccharides; starch and glycogen are storage polysaccharides.

Starch

Polysaccharide storage form in plants.

Glycogen

Polysaccharide storage form in animals.

Lipids

Contain C, H, O (less O than carbs); insoluble in water; include triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids, prostaglandins.

Triglycerides

Four main type of lipid; three fatty acids bonded to glycerol; energy storage, insulation, protection.

Phospholipids

Glycerol + two fatty acids + phosphorus-containing group; head (polar) and tails (nonpolar); major membrane component.

Steroids

Lipids including cholesterol, vitamin D, steroid hormones, bile salts; cholesterol is a key example.

Prostaglandins

Eicosanoids derived from fatty acids; roles in inflammation, blood clotting, BP, and labor.

Cholesterol

Important steroid; building block for vitamin D, hormones, bile salts; essential in membranes.

Proteins

Basic structural material of the body; include enzymes, hemoglobin, contractile proteins; most diverse functions.

Amino acids

Building blocks of proteins.

Fibrous proteins

Strandlike, water-insoluble proteins providing structural support (e.g., keratin, collagen).

Globular proteins

Compact, water-soluble proteins with functional (active) sites (e.g., enzymes, antibodies, hormones).

Denaturation

Unfolding of proteins, loss of 3D structure; may be reversible or irreversible depending on conditions.

Enzymes

Globular proteins that act as biological catalysts; speed up reactions; often require cofactors; usually end in -ase.

Cofactors

Nonprotein helpers (metal ions or organic molecules) required by some enzymes.

Activation energy

Energy required to start a chemical reaction; enzymes lower this energy barrier.

Substrate

Molecule that binds to an enzyme at its active site.

Active site

Region of the enzyme where the substrate binds.

Nucleic Acids

Large molecules; two major classes: DNA and RNA.

DNA

Genetic blueprint for protein synthesis; double-stranded helix in the nucleus; bases A, G, C, T; contains deoxyribose and phosphate.

RNA

Carries out DNA instructions for protein synthesis; single-stranded; ribose; bases A, G, C, U.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; carries genetic information from DNA to ribosome for protein synthesis.

tRNA

Transfer RNA; brings amino acids to the ribosome during protein synthesis.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA; structural component of ribosomes.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; chemical energy produced from glucose; directly powers cellular reactions.