Chemistry and Its Application in the Human Body

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the chemistry lecture on its application in the human body.

Chemical Reactions

Processes in which substances interact to form new substances through combination, decomposition, displacement, partner exchange, or redox reactions.

Combination Reaction

A chemical reaction where two or more reactants combine to form a single product (A + B → AB).

Decomposition Reaction

A chemical reaction in which a single compound breaks down into two or more products (AB → A + B).

Displacement Reaction

A reaction in which an ion in a compound is replaced by another ion (K+ + calcium sulphonate → Ca2+ + potassium polystyrene sulphonate).

Redox Reaction

A type of chemical reaction involving the transfer of electrons which includes oxidation and reduction processes.

Oxidation

A process in which a substance loses electrons, often associated with the addition of oxygen or loss of hydrogen (e.g., Fe(s) → Fe2+(aq) + 2 e-).

Reduction

A process in which a substance gains electrons, often associated with the addition of hydrogen or loss of oxygen (e.g., O2 + 4e- + 4 H+ → 2 H2O).

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that accelerates chemical reactions without being consumed or permanently altered in the process.

Organic Chemistry

The branch of chemistry that involves the study of carbon-containing compounds and their properties.

Alkanes

Aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds consisting only of carbon and hydrogen, connected by single bonds (e.g., methane).

Alkenes

Aliphatic hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-to-carbon double bond (e.g., ethylene).

Alkynes

Aliphatic hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-to-carbon triple bond.

Alcohol

An organic compound in which a hydroxyl (–OH) functional group is bound to a carbon atom (e.g., isopropyl alcohol).

Aldehyde

An organic compound containing a carbonyl functional group (–CHO) at the end of a carbon chain (e.g., formaldehyde).

Ketone

A compound containing a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to two carbon atoms.

Carboxylic Acid

An organic compound containing a carboxyl group (–COOH) such as ascorbic acid.

Amino Acid

Organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

Trace minerals

Essential nutrients found in small amounts in the body, crucial for various physiological functions.

Iron Absorption

The process by which iron is taken up by the gastrointestinal tract, influenced by dietary components and health status.

Iron Deficiency

A condition where the body lacks enough iron, leading to symptoms like anemia, fatigue, and weakened immune function.

Zinc

A mineral important for numerous cellular functions, enzyme activity, and maintaining structural integrity of proteins.

Selenium

An essential trace mineral that plays a critical role in metabolism and is an antioxidant.

Iodine

An essential element required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, important for regulating metabolism.

Fluoride

A mineral that helps prevent tooth decay; found in various natural and processed foods.