Applied Chemistry Course Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions relevant to the Applied Chemistry course.

Applied Chemistry

The application of chemical principles and theories to answer specific questions or solve real-world problems.

Buffer

A system that resists changes in pH when acids or bases are added.

Electrolytes

Substances that dissociate into ions in solution and are critical for fluid balance, nerve conduction, and muscle contraction.

pH Scale

A logarithmic scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of a solution, ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic), with 7 being neutral.

Density

Mass per unit volume of a substance, often measured in grams per milliliter (g/mL) or kilograms per liter (kg/L).

Molarity

The concentration of a solution expressed as moles of solute per liter of solution.

Clinical Measurement

The process of quantifying health parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, and weight.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Half-life

The time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Monosaccharides

The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar units; examples include glucose and fructose.

Amino Acids

Organic compounds that combine to form proteins; building blocks of protein.

Sodium (Na⁺)

An essential electrolyte that maintains fluid balance and is crucial for nerve impulse transmission.

Cholesterol

A type of fat found in the blood; essential for building cell membranes but can contribute to cardiovascular disease in excess.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that accelerates chemical reactions in living organisms.

Conductivity

A measure of a solution's ability to conduct electricity, which often depends on the concentration of ions in the solution.

Radiation

Energy emitted as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, particularly in a nuclear reaction.