Understanding Chemistry's Role in Vet Med

Independent variable

factor you intentionally change

Dependent variable

outcome you measure in response to the change in independent variables

Control variables

factors kept the same to ensure fair testing

Acid

substance that increases hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, has a pH below 7, donates protons, neutralizes bases

Acidity

degree to which a solution is acidic (pH below 7), measured by hydrogen ion concentration, refers to acid-base imbalance toward acidic side

Activation energy

minimum energy required for a chemical reaction to begin, energy barrier that enzymes lower to make biological reactions occur at body temperature

Active site

specific region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind, and reactions occur, functional area that determines enzyme specificity and activity

Alkalinity

degree to which a solution is basic (pH above 7), caused by low hydrogen ion concentration, acid-base imbalance toward basic side

Anion

ion with negative charge, like chloride or hydroxide, important for maintaining electrical neutrality and proper cell function

Base (Alkaline)

provides hydroxide ions, or reduces hydrogen ion concentration, has pH above 7, accepts protons, neutralizes acids

Catalyst

speeds up chemical reactions without being consumed, enzymes serve as biological catalysts for metabolic processes

Cation

ion with a positive charge like sodium, potassium, or calcium, essential for nerve function, muscle contraction, and fluid balance

Compound

two or more different elements bonded together

Covalent bond

atoms share electrons to achieve stability, forms backbone of most biological molecules like proteins, carbs, and DNA

Denaturation

process of protein unfolding and losing its natural 3D structure and function due to heat, pH changes, or chemicals

Element

pure substance that can’t be broken down into simper substances by chemical reactions

Enzyme

specialized protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body without being consumed, acts as biological catalyst with specific substrate requirements

Hydrogen bond

weak attraction between hydrogen atoms and nearby electronegative atoms like oxygen or nitrogen, gives water its unique properties

Hydrogen ion

positively charged hydrogen atom, determines solution acidity

Hydroxide ion

negatively charged ion consisting of oxygen and hydrogen, makes solutions more basic

Induced-fit Model

refined enzyme model showing that enzymes slightly change shape to better accommodate their substrates

Ion

atom or molecule with an electrical charge due to loss or gain of electrons

Ionic bond

chemical bond formed when one atom loses electrons and another gains them

Ionization

atoms or molecules gain or lose electrons to become charged particles, occurs naturally in water and other biological systems, maintains pH balance in bodily fluids

Isotope

atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons, some are radioactive and used in medical treatments

Lock and Key Model

describes enzyme specificity where enzymes and substrates fit together precisely, like a key that only fits into one lock

Matter

anything that has mass and takes up space, solids, liquids, gases

Molecule

formed when atoms bond together covalently, retains all chemical properties of the compound

Neutron

particle with no electrical charge, create isotopes (different numbers of neutrons)

Nonpolar covalent bond

electrons shared equally, no partial charges on the molecule

pH

measure of hydrogen ion concentration, ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic), 7 is neutral

Polar covalent bond

electrons shared unequally, creating partial positive and negative charges on different parts of the molecule

Primary structure

specific sequence of amino acids in a protein structure and function, genetic diseases often involve proteins with abnormal primary structures

Secondary structure

local folding patterns like alpha-helices or beta-sheets formed by hydrogen bonds between amino acids (protein folding affects function)

Tertiary structure

overall 3D shape of a protein formed by interactions between amino acid side chains, determines protein function

Quaternary structure

arrangement of multiple protein chains working together to form a functional unit, highest level of protein organization

Protein

large molecules made of amino acid chains that control structure and function in cells, include cells, enzymes, antibodies, and structural components

Proton

positively charged particle located in atomic nucleus, number of protons determines what element an atom represents

Substrate

molecule that an enzyme acts upon during a chemical reaction, fits into enzyme’s active site to undergo transformation

Valence electrons

located in outermost energy level of an atom that participate in chemical bonding, determine how atoms will bond with others