Chemicals of Life Flashcards by Catrin Owen

What pH is considered neutral?

7.0

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What does a pH scale measure?

The concentration of H+

Therefore measures the acidity of alkalinity of a sln.

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What is an increasingly acidic pH?

A pH value of less than 7.0

The further away from 7 then the stronger the acid is.

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What is an increasingly alkaline pH?

A pH value of more than 7.0.

The further away from 7 then the less acidic it is.

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What is the pH of stomach acid?

1-3

Contains a lot of HCL.

HCL is secreted by the parietal cells in the stomach and is vital for breaking down food during digestion.

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What is the pH of saliva?

6-7 ( slightly acidic)

Found mainly in parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands,

Lubricating, cleansing, anti-microbial, excretory and digestive functions.

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What is the pH of blood?

7.35-7.45 ( slightly alkaline)

Very tightly controlled. Enzyme activity in the body may be altered if blood pH falls outside of this range.

Blood acts as a buffer system.
If blood pH drifts outside these limits many vital functions ( renal filtration and respiration may be affected)

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What is CSF?

Cerebrospinal fluid
Similar pH to blood.
Clear liquid produced by the choroid plexus to protect the brain from infection and trauma

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pH of pancreatic juice?

8-8.8

One of the most alkaline body fluids
Secreted through the pnacreatic duct into the deudoneum and contains enzymes that aid digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

The high concentration of bicarbonate ( HCO3-) helps to neutralise the gastric secretions of the stomach.

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What is another term for urination?

micturition

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What is the pH of urine?

It can vary according to diet and metabolic state.

Usually pH 4.5- 8.0

In Western populations it is usually acidic due to diets high in protein.

pH varies according to time of day- slightly more alkaline upon wakening and moves closer to neutral pH as day progresses.

Acidic urine can contribute to formation of renal calculi.

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pH of Semen?

Mixture of sperm and seminal fluid

7.2-8.0

Seminal fluid provides a transport medium and nutrients for sperm

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pH of bile?

7.6-8.6

Bile is a slightly alkaline fluid

Secreted by liver and concentrated in gall bladder.
Enters the small intestine via the bile duct.

Bile helps digestion by emulsifying fats and maintaining the alkalinity of the intestinal contents.

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What are the main components of bile?

conjugated bile salts, cholesterol, phospholipid, bilirubin and electrolytes

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What are the main elements of the body/

Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen

( up to 96% of body mass)

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What is an organic compound?

Any molecule containing carbon

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What is an ion?

Any atom that has lost or gained an electron.
Cation- +
Anion- - ( gained an electron)

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What type of reaction is an anabolic reaction?

A synthesis reaction

Two or more atoms, ions or molecules combine to form a new, larger molecule

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What is the opposite to an anabolic reaction?

Catabolic

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What elements do carbohydrates contain?

Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen

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What is the most abundant class of biomolecules in the body?

Carbohydrates

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List examples of the main units of carbohydrates

Monosaccharides- glucose, fructose or galactose
Disaccharides- sucrose ( glucose and fructose) and lactose ( glucose and galactose)
Polysaccharides- starch and glycogen

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What elements do lipids contain?

Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen

( same as carbohydrates)
They differ from carbohydrates because the ratios of each element vary.

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What are the four major classes of lipids?

1) Phosopholipids
2) glycerides
3) sterols
4) prostaglandins ( injury and illness- inflammation)

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Are lipids soluble in water?

What elements do proteins contain?

Carbon Nitrogen hydrogen oxygen Some proteins also contain sulphur Function is determined by their structure ( order of AA and shape they adopt)

Can water pass through a selectively permeable membrane?

Yes

What substances can not pass through a selectively permeable membrane ( made up of a double layer of phospholipid molecules)

Solutes- sodium ions or plasma proteins.

How does glucose get into the cell?

Facilitated diffusion | because it is a large molecule

What is an enzyme?

A protein that speeds up reactions

What are the three properties of enzymes?

1) specify for their substrate 2) efficiency 3) control

At what temperature is enzyme activity most efficient in the human body?

37 Core body temperature ( temp or organs) Temp can be lower in other places ( e.g toes) Important for core body temp to be maintained for enzyme reactions ( all of which are temperature sensitive)

Deoxyribonucleic acid is

Double stranded and anti parallel DNA molecules exist in pairs ( double stranded chain) forms a spiral shape ( double helix) These two strands run opposite to each other ( therefore anti-parallel).

Can water be used for energy?

No. It contains no calories.

What percentage of the human body is water?

50-80% depending on gender, age and body size. A newborn's may be 75-80% water.

Do females or males have more water?

Females have less water as they have more adipose tissue,

What enters and leaves a cell by simple diffusion?

O2 CO2 Most lipids

Which dietary component does the body most commonly use for energy?

Carbohydrates

What are the seven components of diet?

``` Carbohydrates Lipids Protein Vitamins Minerals Fibre Water ```

What is the main energy source for the body? ( food?)

The monosaccharide glucose The production of ATP requires the breakdown of glucose.

How do complex carbohydrates differ to simple carbohydrates in terms of energy release?

Complex carbs provide a slower, more sustained release of energy than simple carbohydrates. They therefore keep blood sugar levels stable for longer.

What is an immunoglobulin?

A plasma protein ( antibody) They are also classed as glycoproteins.

What structure protein is haemoglobin?

A protein with a quaternary structure

Detail the four structures of protein and how they form?

The primary structure of protein is the sequence of amino acids in a protein chain A secondary protein structure results from bonding between parts of the primary chain. ( can produce an alpha helix or Beta pleated sheet shape) A tertiary protein is when a secondary structure folds over on itself. A quaternary structure is when a number of tertiary proteins are combined.

Are lipids soluble or insoluble in water?

Insoluble. Lipids are hydrophobic.

What are the main biological functions of lipids?

``` energy storage structural components of cell membrane Biological signalling ( e.g prostaglandins at the site of inflammation and steroid hormones) ```

What are some naturally occurring lipid molecules?

``` Fats Waxes Sterols Fat soluble vitamins ( A,D,E and K) monoglycerides diglycerides Phospholipids etc. ```

What is the sum of all the body's chemical processes called?

Metabolism

What is the phase that builds up new substances called?

Anabolism

What is the phase that breaks down substances called?

Catabolism

What is an isotonic sln?

If the concentrations of solutes in the extracellular fluid and intracellular fluid are equal. I.e the solutes are in equilibrium ( there is no net movement of water in or out of the environment).

What does 'hypertonic' environment mean REFERENCES SOLUTE CONCENTRATIONS OUTSIDE CELL

Cells are in a highly concentrated sln. Water leaves cells and moves out into the environment ( aiming to reach equilibrium)

What does hypotonic environment mean? REFERENCES SOLUTE CONCENTRATIONS OUTSIDE CELL

Means that there is a higher concentration of solutes in the cell. Therefore water will enter the cell- causing the cells to swell. Cells can eventually burst if they swell too much.

What is osmosis?

The movement of water from an area of high water concentration to an area of lower water concentration across a selectively permeable membrane. ALTERNATIVE DEFINITION: The movement of solutes from an area of low concentration to a high concentration across a selectively permeable membrane.

What is diffusion?

The movement of solvents and solutes from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration down a concentration gradient.

Are diffusion and osmosis active or passive processes?

Passive ( do not require energy to occur)

What is active transport

The movement of solvents/solutes/water against a concentration gradient. Requires energy in the form of ATP.

What is an atom made up of?

Neutrons, protons and electrons

What is an ion?

When an atom has donated or lost an electron and therefore acquired a charge ( + or -ve- cation or anion)

What is a compound?

A pure substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements that can be separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions.

What is pH?

A measure of acidity or alkalinity.

What is the most abundant substance in the body?

Water

What is the main energy storage molecule in humans?

ATP

Chemicals of Life Flashcards

(63 cards)