Solute
What is dissolved in a solution.
Solvent
What does the dissolving in a solution.
Solution
Solvent with dissolved solute.
pH
Measures how acidic or basic a solution is. Scale: 0 to 14. Anything below 7 is acidic, anything above 7 is basic (alkaline), and 7 is neutral.
pH of Blood (Plasma)
7.35-7.45
Acidosis
Abnormal condition of acid. (An increased acidity in the blood and other body tissue.) blood pH is too low < 7.35
Alkalosis
Abnormal condition of base (alkaline). (A condition reducing hydrogen ion concentration of arterial blood plasma (alkalemia).) blood pH is too high > 7.45
Abnormal Blood pH
Adversely affects protein structure & function, including the body’s enzymes – which must assist
almost every chemical reaction in the body. (pH of plasma affects the pH of interstitial fluid…
the fluid bathing every other body cell)
Buffer
A chemical that resists large changes in the pH of a solution. – A solution with a buffer in it is called a “buffered solution” (Blood Plasma)
Importance of Buffers to Homeostasis
A buffer can release H+ and bind H+
• If an acid is added to a buffered solution, the buffer will bind some of the H+ released by the acid (and the pH will not decrease as much as it would without the buffer)
• If a base is added to a buffered solution, the buffer will release H+ into the solution (and the pH will not increase as much as it would without the buffer)
Body’s Catalysts
Enzymes speed the rates of the body’s chemical
reactions by lowering the activation energy required to start the reaction
Importance of Enzymes’ shapes
An enzyme’s shape (and function) can be
destroyed by excessive HEAT or ABNORMAL pH
–An enzyme that has lost its proper shape is said
to be denatured
– A denatured enzyme cannot catalyze the
reaction it is designed to assist.
Denaturation
An enzyme that has lost its proper shape is said
to be denatured. A denatured enzyme cannot catalyze the reaction it is designed to assist.
Solubility
Solubility is the degree to which a solute dissolves in a solvent
–A solute that dissolves completely is “highly soluble” in that solvent
–A solute that cannot dissolve is “insoluble” in that solvent
Polar Solvents
Polar covalent and ionic solutes are soluble in most polar covalent solvents
–Ex. Glucose, sucrose, Na+, Cl- are soluble in water (a polar solvent). (WATER for the body)
Non-Polar Solvents
Nonpolar covalent solutes are soluble in most nonpolar covalent solvents
–Ex. Iodine (I2) is soluble in paint thinner.
Acidic
Increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions.
Alkaline (Basic)
Decrease in the concentration of hydrogen ions.
Antacids
Group of medications that neutralize stomach acid to treat a variety of conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux, commonly known as heartburn.
Chemical Reaction
Often when atoms or molecules interact, chemical bonds are formed, broken, or rearranged, or electrons are transferred between molecules.
Catalyst
Added to a reaction to increase its rate.
Ionic Bond
When one or more electrons is transferred from a metal to a nonmetal.
Amphipathic
They have both polar and nonpolar parts.
