Human Anatomy and Physiology: Chemistry Comes Alive

Flashcards covering basic and biochemistry concepts including matter, energy, chemical reactions, pH, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and ATP based on Chapter 2 of Human Anatomy and Physiology.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space, existing as a solid, liquid, or gas.

Solid

A state of matter with a definite shape and volume.

Liquid

A state of matter with a changeable shape and a definite volume.

Gas

A state of matter with a changeable shape and volume.

Energy

The capacity to do work or put matter into motion.

Chemical energy

Energy stored in the bonds of chemical substances.

Electrical energy

Energy resulting from the movement of charged particles.

Mechanical energy

Energy directly involved in moving matter.

Radiant or electromagnetic energy

Energy that travels in waves, such as heat, visible light, ultraviolet light, and X rays.

Chemical reactions

Processes that occur when chemical bonds are formed, rearranged, or broken.

Reactants

The substances entering into a chemical reaction together.

Product(s)

The resulting chemical end products of a chemical reaction.

Anabolism

A type of chemical reaction involving synthesis or building up.

Catabolism

A type of chemical reaction involving the breaking down of substances.

Biochemistry

The study of chemical composition and reactions of living matter.

Inorganic compounds

Compounds that do not contain carbon ($C$), including water, salts, and many acids and bases.

Organic compounds

Large, covalently bonded compounds that contain carbon ($C$), such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and nucleic acids ($CH_4$).

Acids

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

Bases

Proton acceptors that pick up $H^+$ ions in solution and release hydroxyl ions ($OH^-$) when dissolved.

pH scale

A logarithmic measurement of the concentration of hydrogen ions ($[H^+]$) in a solution, ranging from $0$ to $14$.

Acidic solutions

Solutions with a high $[H^+]$ and a low pH, ranging from $0$ to $6.99$.

Alkaline (basic) solutions

Solutions with a low $[H^+]$ and a high pH, ranging from $7.01$ to $14$.

Neutral solutions

Solutions with equal numbers of $H^+$ and $OH^-$ ions and a pH of $7$, such as pure water.

Neutralization reaction

A displacement reaction occurring when acids and bases are mixed together to form water and a salt.

Buffers

Systems that resist abrupt and large swings in pH by releasing or binding hydrogen ions.

Carbohydrates

Sugars and starches containing $C$, $H$, and $O$ in a $2:1$ ratio; stored in the liver and skeletal muscles as glycogen.

Monosaccharides

The smallest unit (monomers) of carbohydrates, such as glucose.

Polysaccharides

Polymers made up of many monosaccharides, such as starch.

Triglycerides

Lipids composed of three fatty acids bonded to a glycerol molecule, used for energy storage, insulation, and protection.

Phospholipids

Modified triglycerides with a polar hydrophilic head and nonpolar hydrophobic tails, serving as the main component of plasma membranes.

Primary structure

The linear sequence of amino acids in a protein.

Secondary structure

The level of protein structure where primary amino acids interact to form Alpha (\text{\alpha}) helix coils or Beta (\text{\beta}) pleated sheets.

Fibrous proteins

Structural proteins that are strandlike, water-insoluble, and stable, such as keratin, elastin, and collagen.

Globular proteins

Functional proteins that are compact, spherical, and water-soluble, such as antibodies, hormones, and enzymes.

Denaturation

The process where globular proteins unfold and lose their functional 3-D shape due to decreased pH or increased temperature.

Enzymes

Globular proteins that act as biological catalysts to increase the speed of chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

Nucleotides

The monomers of nucleic acids, composed of a nitrogen base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A double-stranded helical molecule in the cell nucleus that holds the genetic blueprint for protein synthesis, containing deoxyribose sugar.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

A single-stranded linear molecule including ribose sugar and uracil ($U$) that links DNA to protein synthesis.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

An adenine-containing RNA nucleotide with two additional phosphate groups that provides immediate, usable energy for cellular work.

ADP (Adenosine diphosphate)

The compound formed when ATP loses one phosphate group, containing $2$ phosphates.

AMP (Adenosine monophosphate)

The compound formed when ADP loses a second phosphate group, containing $1$ phosphate group.