Chemical Basis of Life

Comprehensive flashcards covering the chemical basis of life, including elements, organic and inorganic compounds, bio molecules, minerals, and vitamins found in organisms.

Essential Elements

About 25 elements out of the 92 present in nature exist in the living body, with Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen being the most common four.

Organic Compounds

Compounds which contain Carbon that build up living matter, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Inorganic Compounds

Compounds which do not contain Carbon, such as water, minerals, and gases, although Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Carbonates, and Bicarbonates are exceptions that contain Carbon but are classified as inorganic.

Bio molecules

Organic compounds that build up the living body or living matter, categorized as Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, and Nucleic acids.

Carbohydrates

The most abundant organic compound on earth, produced during photosynthesis with a common molecular formula of $C_x (H_2O)_y$.

Monosaccharides

The structural unit of carbohydrates, commonly known as simple sugars, which are crystal shaped, generally sweet, and water soluble.

Glucose

A monosaccharide produced by plants during photosynthesis and the end product during hydrolysis of all starchy food; it releases energy during cellular respiration.

Fructose

Known as "fruit sugar," it is the sweetest sugar and is formed during the ripening of fruits.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates formed when two monosaccharides join and release a water molecule, as seen in the equation $2 C_6H_{12}O_6 \rightarrow C_{12}H_{22}O_{11} + H_2O$.

Sucrose

A disaccharide formed by the union of a Glucose molecule with a Fructose molecule; it is found in sugar cane, beet, and phloem sap.

Lactose

A disaccharide present in dairy products that is absent in plants; human milk contains $6\% - 7\%$ of this sugar.

Polysaccharides

Molecules formed by the polymerisation of a large number of monosaccharides; they are insoluble in water and are not crystals.

Glycogen

The type of carbohydrate that is stored in the animal liver and muscles.

Starch test

A procedure where Iodine solution is added to food; the appearance of a purplish blue colour confirms the presence of starch.

Proteins

Complex molecules made of polymerized amino acids containing Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen; they compose $17\%$ of the mature human body.

Essential amino acids

Amino acids that cannot be synthesized within the body and must be taken from outside with food.

Enzymes

Special proteins serving as organic catalysts produced within organisms to increase the rate of bio-chemical reactions.

Biurete test

A test for proteins where Sodium hydroxide ($NaOH$) and Copper Sulphate ($CuSO_4$) are added to a solution, turning it purple.

Lipids

Organic compounds containing Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen (with less oxygen than carbohydrates) formed from the reaction of fatty acids and glycerol.

Saturated fatty acids

Fatty acids containing only single bonds within Carbon atoms that exist as solids or semi-solids at room temperature.

Unsaturated fatty acids

Fatty acids containing one or several double bonds within Carbon atoms that exist as liquids at room temperature.

Sudan III test

A test for lipids where the addition of Sudan III reagent results in the appearance of red fat globules.

Nucleic Acids

Linear polymers made up of nucleotides containing C, H, O, N, and P, serving as the most important bio molecules for genetics.

DNA (Deoxy ribo Nucleic Acid)

The nucleic acid that transfers genetic characteristics from generation to generation and controls all cellular activities.

RNA (Ribo Nucleic Acid)

The nucleic acid whose structural unit is the Ribonucleotide and whose primary function is protein synthesis.

Specific heat capacity

The amount of heat needed to increase the temperature by $1^\circ C$ in $1\,kg$ of mass; water's high value helps maintain stable body temperature.

Cohesive items

Attractions between water molecules, which along with adhesive forces, transport water to the upper parts of plants.

Macro elements

Mineral elements needed by the body in higher amounts for maintenance of life processes.

Anaemia

A deficiency symptom associated with a lack of Iron (Fe), which is necessary for the synthesis of haemoglobin.

Chlorosis

A plant deficiency symptom characterized by yellowing of leaves, caused by a lack of elements like Nitrogen, Potassium, or Iron.

Vitamins

Organic compounds important in bio-chemical reactions, classified into water soluble (B and C) and fat soluble (A, D, E, and K).

Scurvy

A disease caused by Vitamin C deficiency, characterized by weakening of the gum and internal bleeding.

Rickets

A condition involving the deforming of bones caused by a deficiency in Vitamin D.

Night blindness

A deficiency symptom associated with Vitamin A, which is essential for the formation of visual pigments.