Basic Chemistry and Life Processes

Flashcards covering basic chemistry, elements, bonds, chemical reactions, properties of water, acids and bases, and macromolecules like carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, ATP, and DNA.

Atom

The smallest stable unit of matter.

Lipids

Fat or oil molecule that stores energy and makes up cell membranes, 2x more energy then carbohydrate, 12-24% of total body weight

Saturated fat

Each carbon has four attached hydrogens

Unsaturated fatty acid

Has a double bond, fewer attached hydrogens

Cation

Loss of electron giving atom a positive charge

Anion

Gain of electron giving atom a negative charge

Ionic bond

Transfer of electrons from one to another and stick together due to opposite charges

Covalent

Share electrons

Colloid

Large molecules that stay in solution ex: proteins

Suspension

Large molecules that settle out due to gravity ex: blood, orange juice

Acidosis

Abnormal psychological state Low ph below 7.35 (worse)

Alkalosis

High ph above 7.45

Phospholipid

A lipid that has two types of fatty acids, also they form into a bilayer that is the structure for a cell membrane

Hydrophilic

Loves water

Hydrophobic

Fears water

Proton

A subatomic particle with a positive charge, located in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

A subatomic particle with a neutral charge, located in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

A subatomic particle with a negative charge, located in orbitals around the nucleus.

Atomic number

The number of protons in an atom.

Mass number

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Oxygen (O)

The most abundant element in the body, essential for cellular respiration.

Carbon (C)

The backbone of organic molecules.

Ions

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

Cation

A positively charged ion (e.g., Na+, K+).

Anion

A negatively charged ion (e.g., Cl-).

Ionic bond

A chemical bond formed by the transfer of electrons between atoms (e.g., NaCl).

Covalent bond

A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms (e.g., H2O, CO2).

Hydrogen bond

A weak attraction between polar molecules, important for stabilizing protein and DNA structures.

Decomposition reaction

A chemical reaction where a complex molecule breaks down into simpler ones (AB → A + B), such as digestion.

Synthesis reaction

A chemical reaction where simpler molecules combine to form a more complex one (A + B → AB), such as building proteins.

Exergonic reaction

A chemical reaction that releases energy (e.g., breakdown of glucose).

Endergonic reaction

A chemical reaction that requires an input of energy (e.g., protein synthesis).

Enzymes

Biological catalysts, typically proteins, that lower the activation energy of chemical reactions and are reusable.

High heat capacity (of water)

A property of water that allows it to absorb and release large amounts of heat with only a slight change in temperature, stabilizing body temperature.

Universal solvent (water)

A property of water due to its polarity, allowing it to dissolve many substances and act as a medium for reactions.

Hydrophilic

Describes substances that are 'water-loving' or polar, meaning they readily dissolve in water.

Hydrophobic

Describes substances that are 'water-fearing' or nonpolar, meaning they do not dissolve readily in water (e.g., lipids).

Acid

A substance that releases hydrogen ions (H+) in solution, having a pH less than 7.

Base

A substance that releases hydroxide ions (OH-) or accepts H+ in solution, having a pH greater than 7.

pH Scale

A scale ranging from 0 (highly acidic) to 14 (highly basic), with 7 being neutral, used to measure acidity or alkalinity.

Carbohydrates

Macromolecules that serve as the main fuel source for the body, primarily glucose.

Lipids

Macromolecules primarily used for energy storage, insulation, and forming cell membranes.

Saturated fat

A type of lipid with no double bonds between carbon atoms, typically solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated fat

A type of lipid with one or more double bonds between carbon atoms, typically liquid (oils) at room temperature.

Proteins

Macromolecules essential for structure, enzymes, and movement, linked by peptide bonds.

Primary protein structure

The unique sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

Secondary protein structure

Local folding of the polypeptide chain into alpha helices or beta sheets.

Tertiary protein structure

The overall three-dimensional folding pattern of a single polypeptide chain.

Quaternary protein structure

The arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains (subunits) in a multi-chain protein.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy currency of the cell, composed of adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The genetic material, which carries hereditary information.

DNA base pairing rules

Specific hydrogen bonding between nitrogenous bases: Adenine (A) pairs with Thymine (T), and Cytosine (C) pairs with Guanine (G).