Introduction to Biochemistry and Chemical Equilibrium

A set of flashcards covering key concepts from biochemistry, chemical equilibrium, and their applications in forensics and nuclear chemistry.

Biochemistry

The study of molecules in living organisms and their relationships to forensics and identification.

Lipids

Fats, oils, and waxes that are nonpolar and do not mix with water.

Triglycerides

A type of lipid consisting of glycerol and three fatty acids, serving as stored energy in the body.

Saturated Fat

A type of fat that contains all single bonds, resulting in a solid state.

Unsaturated Fat

A type of fat that contains double bonds, resulting in a liquid state.

Monosaccharides

Single sugar molecules, such as glucose and fructose.

Polysaccharides

Complex carbohydrates made of long chains, used for energy storage or as structural components.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins, with structure and function depending on their sequence.

Quaternary Structure

The level of protein structure formed by the combination of multiple proteins.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries genetic information in a double helix structure.

Gene

Instructions for making proteins coded in the DNA.

Chromosomes

Structures that carry genetic information in pairs, totaling 23 pairs in humans.

STR (Short Tandem Repeats)

DNA sequences used for identification in forensic analysis.

Poison

Any harmful substance that can cause adverse effects on health.

Toxin

A poison that originates from a living organism.

LD50

The lethal dose required to kill 50% of a test population; a lower LD50 indicates greater toxicity.

Dynamic Equilibrium

A state in which the rate of forward and reverse reactions are equal, keeping concentrations constant.

Catalyst

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy without altering the equilibrium.

Le Chatelier’s Principle

The principle stating that a system at equilibrium will shift to counteract changes imposed on it.

Carbon-14 Dating

A method used to determine the age of fossils based on the half-life of carbon-14.

Nuclear Fission

The process of splitting atoms to release energy, used in nuclear power generation.

Neutron Activation Analysis

A forensic technique that identifies elements by analyzing neutron interactions.