Chapter 2: The Chemical Basis of Life Vocabulary Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering atomic structure, chemical bonding, reactions, water properties, pH, and organic macromolecules from Seeley's Anatomy & Physiology, Chapter 2.

Matter

occupies space and has mass.

Mass

amount of matter in an object, kg

Weight

Gravity pulling on stuff in object

Element

Basic type of matter made from atoms of one kind

Atom

The smallest particle of an element made from neutrons protons and electrons

Neutron

A subatomic particle in nucleus with no charge

Proton

A subatomic particle in nucleus with positive charge

Electron

A subatomic particle w negative charge, found in electron cloud, occupies most of the volume

Nucleus (Atomic)

central structure of an atom formed by protons and neutrons.

Atomic Number

equal to the number of protons in each atom, which is also equal to its number of electrons.

Mass Number

The total number of protons plus neutrons contained within an atom.

Isotope

One of two or more forms of the same element that have the same number of protons and electrons but a different number of neutrons. (Ex twins, both carbon, but one twin has dif # of neutrons)

Avogadro's Number

The number of particles contained in one mole, equal to $6.022 \times 10^{23}$.

Mole

A measurement unit equal to Avogadro's number ($6.022 \times 10^{23}$) of atoms, ions, or molecules.

Molar Mass

mass of one mole of a substance expressed in grams, equal to its atomic mass units.

Electronegativity

The ability of an atom to attract electrons, which determines the type of chemical bond formed between two atoms.

Ionic Bonding⭐️

A chemical bond formed when atoms TRANSFER electrons, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other. (Cations + and anions -)

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses an electron.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains an electron.

Covalent Bonding⭐️

A chemical bond formed when two or more atoms SHARE one or more pairs of electrons due to similar electronegativities.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond in which electron pairs are shared equally because the atomic nuclei attract the electrons equally.

Polar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond in which electron pairs are shared unequally because one nucleus attracts the electrons more strongly than the other.

Molecule

A structure formed when two or more atoms chemically combine to form an independent unit.

Compound

A substance composed of two or more different types of atoms chemically combined.

Molecular Mass

The sum of the atomic masses of all the individual atoms or ions comprising a molecule.

Hydrogen Bond⭐️

An intermolecular force occurring when a positively charged hydrogen atom of one molecule is attracted to a negatively charged oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine atom of another molecule.

(Example: positive hydrogen atoms of one water, molecule bond, width, negative oxygen atoms of other water molecules)

Why are hydrogen bonds important?

Determine shape of complex molecules

Solubility

The ability of one substance to dissolve in another.

Dissociation

The separation of cations and anions in an ionic compound as they become surrounded by water molecules.

Electrolyte

A solution made by the dissociation of cations and anions in water that has the capacity to conduct an electric current. (Example of salt dissolving in water)

Nonelectrolyte

A solution formed by molecules that dissolve in water without dissociating, which does not conduct electricity. (Example is sugar dissolving in water because it fully dissolves unlike salt)

Metabolism

The collective sum of all anabolic and catabolic chemical reactions occurring in the body.

Anabolism

Makes. The collective term for synthesis reactions in the body, during which chemical bonds are made and energy is stored.

Catabolism

Breaks. The collective term for decomposition reactions in the body, during which chemical bonds are broken and energy is released.

Dehydration Reaction

A synthetic chemical reaction in which water is produced as a product.

Hydrolysis Reaction

A decomposition chemical reaction in which water is split into two parts that contribute to the formation of the products.

Reversible Reaction

A chemical reaction that can proceed either from reactants to products or from products to reactants.

Chemical Equilibrium

The state in a reversible reaction where the rate of product formation equals the rate of reactant formation.

Oxidation

LOSS of an electron by a substance.

Reduction

GAIN of an electron by a substance.

5. Types of energy⭐️

Potential kinetic mechanical heat Chemical

Potential Energy

Energy stored in chemical bonds that has the capacity to perform work if released.

Kinetic Energy

Does work and moves matter.

Activation Energy⭐️

The minimum energy reactants must possess to start a chemical reaction.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being permanently changed or depleted.

Enzyme⭐️

A protein catalyst that increases the rate of chemical reactions by lowering the required activation energy.

Inorganic Chemistry

The branch of chemistry concerned with substances that do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds.

Organic Chemistry

The study of carbon-containing chemical substances.

Hydrophilic⭐

Describing substances that are chemically attracted to water ('water-loving').

Hydrophobic⭐

Describing substances that are not attracted to water ('water-fearing').

Suspension

A mixture in which solute materials physically separate from the liquid unless stirred.

Why is water important?

It can absorb heat, protect as lubricants, invloved in chemical reactions, mixing medium

Colloid

A mixture consisting of tiny particles throughout a liquid (milk)

Solution

A mixture of liquids, gases, or solids that are uniformly distributed and chemically combined.

Osmolality

number of dissolved particles in one kilogram of water.

Acid

releases hydrogen ions

Base

accepts hydrogen ions

Salt

A compound consisting of a cation other than a hydrogen ion and an anion other than a hydroxide ion.

Buffer

A solution of a conjugate acid-base pair that resists changes in $\text{pH}$ by binding or releasing hydrogen ions.

Isomer

Molecules that have the same number and types of atoms but differ in their 3d arrangement.

PH scale⭐

Physiologic pH is 7.4. Neutral is Eagle, hydrogen and hydroxide ions, Acidic is greater hydrogen, Alkaline is greater hydroxide

Monosaccharide (carbs)⭐

A simple sugar, such as glucose, fructose, or galactose, that serves as an important energy source.

Disaccharide (carbs)⭐

A carbohydrate composed of two simple sugars bound together by a dehydration reaction.

Polysaccharide (carbs)⭐

A carbohydrate composed of long chains of many monosaccharides, functioning as a storage molecule or structural component.

Triglyceride⭐

A lipid composed of glycerol bonded to three fatty acids, functioning in protection, insulation, and energy storage.

Saturated Fatty Acid⭐

A fatty acid containing only single covalent bonds in its carbon chain, creating a more rigid structure.

Unsaturated Fatty Acid⭐

A fatty acid containing one or more double bonds in its carbon chain, producing a more relaxed structure. BETTER BC THEY DONT STICK TO INSUDE IF BLOOD VESSELS

Trans Fat⭐

An unsaturated fat artificially altered to be more saturated, representing the highest cardiovascular risk fat.

Phospholipid function ⭐

A lipid containing a polar hydrophilic head and a nonpolar hydrophobic tail, serving as a major structural component of cell membranes.

Eicosanoids

Regulatory molecules derived from fatty acids, including thromboxanes, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins.

Steroid⭐

A lipid composed of four ring-like structures, including cholesterol, bile salts, estrogen, and testosterone.

Proteins⭐

Amino acids (building blocks on protein) n peptide bonds

Peptide Bond⭐

A covalent bond formed between amino acids during protein synthesis.

Secondary Structure

The folding pattern of a protein into helices or pleated sheets resulting from hydrogen bonding between amino acids.

Primary Structure

Amino acid sequence

Tertiary Structure

The large-scale folding of a protein due to interactions within the protein and its surrounding environment… determined shape of domain

Quaternary Structure

resulting from the association of two or more proteins

Cofactor

A non-protein substance that combines with an active site to render a nonfunctional enzyme functional.

Nucleic acids⭐

Contains (DNA), RNA, ATP

Nucleotide⭐

The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a five-carbon sugar, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate group.

Structure of ?

DNA…Composed of 2 strands of nucleotide… a and t & g and c, connect like ladder to form double helix

Gene

A specific sequence of nucleotides that codes for the synthesis of RNA or a protein.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

energy currency of the body, releasing energy for cellular processes when converted to ADP and inorganic phosphate.