The Chemical Basis Of Life Flashcards
(117 cards)
1
Q
What is the study of matter called?
A
Chemistry
Chemistry encompasses the study of substances, their properties, and how they interact.
2
Q
Define matter.
A
Anything that occupies space and has weight
Matter is the physical substance that makes up everything in the universe.
3
Q
What is an element?
A
Simplest type of matter
Elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
4
Q
What is the basic unit of matter?
A
Atom
Atoms are the building blocks of all matter.
5
Q
What is the smallest unit of an element?
A
Atom
An atom retains the properties of the element it represents.
6
Q
What does organic chemistry study?
A
Carbon-containing substances
Organic chemistry focuses on the structure, properties, and reactions of organic compounds.
7
Q
What is the focus of inorganic chemistry?
A
Non-carbon containing substances
Inorganic chemistry deals with minerals and non-organic compounds.
8
Q
3 States of Matter
A
Solid
Has a definite shape and volume
* Liquid
Takes on the shape of the container it is in
* Gases
Has neither a shape or a volume
9
Q
Atoms
A
Composed of three sub-atomic particles
Neutrons found in the nucleus and has no electrical charge
Protons found in the nucleus and has a positive charge
Electrons orbit the nucleus and have a negative charge
10
Q
Isotopes
A
Elements with the same atomic number but a different atomic weight (meaning it has extra neutrons)
11
Q
What are the three fundamental particles of an atom?
A
Protons, neutrons, electrons
12
Q
What is the atomic number of an atom?
A
The number of protons in the nucleus
13
Q
What does atomic weight represent?
A
The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus
14
Q
Fill in the blank: Hydrogen has _______ protons and _______ neutrons.
A
1 proton, 0 neutrons
15
Q
Fill in the blank: Helium has _______ protons and _______ neutrons.
A
2 protons, 2 neutrons
16
Q
True or False: All protons are different from each other.
A
False
17
Q
True or False: The difference between atoms is the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
A
True
18
Q
Radioisotopes
A
Isotopes that are unstable and will decay into more simple substances by giving off waves or particles
These are radioactive
Damaging to tissues used to destroy cells
19
Q
Elements
A
Fundamental substance that cannot be broken down by ordinary chemical
means
20
Q
4 Common Elements of the Body
A
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
21
Q
A
22
Q
What surrounds the nucleus of the cell in orbits?
A
Electrons
Electrons are arranged in shells around the nucleus.
23
Q
How many shells can vary from atom to atom?
A
Varies
Each type of atom has a different number of electron shells.
24
Q
What is the maximum number of electrons that the inner shell can hold?
A
2
The inner shell can only hold two electrons.
25
What is the maximum number of electrons that the 2nd and 3rd shells can hold?
8
## Footnote
Each of the 2nd and 3rd shells can hold up to eight electrons.
26
What happens if an electron shell is not full?
It is unstable
## Footnote
Unfilled shells lead to instability in the atom.
27
What are the only important electrons for bonding?
Valence electrons
## Footnote
Valence electrons are located in the outermost shell and are key for chemical bonding.
28
What happens when the outer shells of two atoms are not full?
They are attracted to each other
## Footnote
Atoms bond together to achieve stability when their outer shells are not full.
29
What is achieved when atoms bond together?
Stability
## Footnote
Atoms achieve stability through chemical bonding.
30
Fill in the blank: The attraction of outer shells leads to a _______
Chemical bond
## Footnote
Chemical bonds form when atoms share or transfer electrons.
31
What is electronegativity?
Ability of an atom's nucleus to attract other electrons
## Footnote
Electronegativity is a key concept in understanding how atoms interact in chemical bonds.
32
What happens to an atom's electronegativity as the number of electrons in its valence shell increases?
The higher its electronegativity, which means it attracts other electrons more strongly
## Footnote
This relationship is important for predicting how atoms will bond in molecules.
33
What is formed when the outer shells of two atoms are attracted to each other?
Chemical bond
## Footnote
Chemical bonds are fundamental to the formation of molecules and compounds.
34
What are the two main types of chemical bonds?
Ionic Bonds and Covalent Bonds
## Footnote
Ionic bonds form through the transfer of electrons, while covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons.
35
How are ionic bonds formed?
By electrons transferring to stabilize shells of atoms
## Footnote
This process involves one atom losing electrons and another gaining them.
36
What happens to ionic bonds in water?
They usually dissolve and act as electrolytes
## Footnote
Electrolytes are substances that dissociate into ions in solution, conducting electricity.
37
What is the electron configuration change for a sodium atom (Na) in ionic bonding?
Loses an electron to become a sodium ion (Na+)
## Footnote
This loss of an electron allows sodium to achieve a stable electronic configuration.
38
What is the electron configuration change for a chlorine atom (Cl) in ionic bonding?
Gains an electron to become a chloride ion (Cl-)
## Footnote
This gain of an electron allows chlorine to achieve a stable electronic configuration.
39
True or False: Ionic bonds are formed by the sharing of electrons.
False
## Footnote
Ionic bonds are formed by the transfer, not sharing, of electrons.
40
What are covalent bonds?
Formed by the sharing of pairs of electrons
## Footnote
Covalent bonds are characterized by their strength and the sharing of electrons between atoms.
41
How is a polar covalent bond different from a nonpolar covalent bond?
Polar covalent bond: Unequal sharing due to different electronegativities
Nonpolar covalent bond: Equal sharing due to equal electronegativities
## Footnote
The difference in electronegativity between atoms in a polar covalent bond leads to partial charges.
42
True or False: Nonpolar covalent bonds involve unequal sharing of electrons.
False
## Footnote
Nonpolar covalent bonds involve equal sharing of electron pairs.
43
Fill in the blank: A _______ bond is formed by the sharing of pairs of electrons.
[covalent bond]
## Footnote
Covalent bonds are essential for the formation of molecules.
44
What are hydrogen bonds?
Intermolecular bonds formed between positive and negative ends of a polar molecule.
## Footnote
Very weak bond.
45
What role do hydrogen bonds play in biological structures?
They help shape DNA.
## Footnote
This is crucial for the stability and function of the genetic material.
46
What is an ion?
An atom that gains or loses electrons, therefore carries an electrical charge.
## Footnote
Ions can be either positively or negatively charged.
47
What are cations?
Positively charged ions.
## Footnote
Cations are formed when an atom loses electrons.
48
What symbol indicates a cation?
+ sign.
## Footnote
Cations have a positive charge due to the loss of electrons.
49
What are anions?
Negatively charged ions.
## Footnote
Anions are formed when an atom gains electrons.
50
What symbol indicates an anion?
- sign.
## Footnote
Anions have a negative charge due to the gain of electrons.
51
What are electrolytes?
Particles that will disassociate in water and are capable of conducting an electrical current
52
Give an example of an electrolyte.
NaCl
53
What is a chemical reaction?
Process where atoms of molecules or compounds interact to form a new chemical combination
## Footnote
Example: Glucose + Oxygen → CO2 + H2O + energy
54
What is the role of a catalyst in a chemical reaction?
Speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction
55
What is an enzyme?
A protein that performs the role of a catalyst
56
What are anabolic reactions?
When two or more atoms, ions, or molecules combine to form new and larger molecules
## Footnote
Anabolic reactions store energy.
57
What are catabolic reactions?
When larger molecules are split up into smaller atoms, ions, or molecules
## Footnote
Catabolic reactions release energy.
58
Define oxidation in the context of chemical reactions.
Loss of electrons
## Footnote
Oxidation occurs during oxidation-reduction reactions.
59
Define reduction in the context of chemical reactions.
Gain of electrons
## Footnote
Reduction occurs during oxidation-reduction reactions.
60
Fill in the blank: Anabolic reactions ______ energy.
store
61
Fill in the blank: Catabolic reactions ______ energy.
release
62
What type of reaction involves the combination of smaller molecules to form larger ones?
Anabolic reactions
63
What type of reaction involves the breakdown of larger molecules into smaller ones?
Catabolic reactions
64
What is a solute?
What is being dissolved
## Footnote
A solute can be a solid, liquid, or gas that is dissolved in a solvent.
65
What is a solvent?
Solution that solute is dissolved in
## Footnote
A solvent is typically a liquid but can also be a gas or solid.
66
What does concentration refer to?
Amount of solute dissolved in a solvent
## Footnote
Concentration can be expressed in various units such as molarity, molality, or percentage.
67
Fill in the blank: A _______ is what is being dissolved in a solution.
[solute]
68
Fill in the blank: A _______ is the substance in which the solute is dissolved.
[solvent]
69
True or False: The concentration of a solution refers to the amount of solvent present.
False
## Footnote
Concentration specifically measures the amount of solute in relation to the solvent.
70
What is the relationship between solute and solvent in a solution?
The solute is dissolved in the solvent
## Footnote
This creates a homogeneous mixture known as a solution.
71
What is an acid?
An electrolyte that disassociates into hydrogen ion (H+)
## Footnote
The amount of H+ determines the strength of the acid.
72
What is a base?
An electrolyte that combines with H+ and eliminates it
## Footnote
Bases usually neutralize the acid by producing salt and water and typically contain OH-.
73
What determines the strength of an acid?
The amount of hydrogen ion (H+)
## Footnote
A higher concentration of H+ indicates a stronger acid.
74
What is the role of a base in acid/base balance?
To neutralize the acid by producing salt and water
## Footnote
Bases eliminate H+ ions from the solution.
75
Fill in the blank: A normal functioning body requires a balance of _______.
acid and base
76
True or False: Bases produce H+ ions when they neutralize acids.
False
## Footnote
Bases eliminate H+ ions instead of producing them.
77
Normal pH of the blood
7.35 – 7.45 Controlled by buffer systems, respiratory system and renal system
78
Normal pH of the stomach
Normal pH of urine
St-1.0 – 4.0
Urine: 5-8
79
Acid/Base Balance
Ranges from 0 to 14
pH less than 7 = acidic
pH 7 = neutral
pH more than 7 = alkaline
80
81
What are the main types of carbohydrates?
Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, Polysaccharides
## Footnote
Sugars, starches, cellulose, and glycogen are all classified as carbohydrates.
82
What is the main source of energy for the body?
ATP
## Footnote
ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate, which is essential for energy transfer within cells.
83
Define monosaccharides.
Simple sugars such as Glucose, Fructose, and Galactose
## Footnote
Monosaccharides are the most basic form of carbohydrates.
84
What are disaccharides?
Combination of two monosaccharides
## Footnote
Common examples include Sucrose, Lactose, and Maltose.
85
What characterizes polysaccharides?
Contain tens to hundreds of monosaccharides
## Footnote
Examples include Glycogen, starches, and cellulose.
86
Fill in the blank: __________ are simple sugars.
Monosaccharides
## Footnote
These include Glucose, Fructose, and Galactose.
87
True or False: Glycogen is a type of disaccharide.
False
## Footnote
Glycogen is classified as a polysaccharide.
88
What are lipids?
Lipids are a group of organic compounds that are insoluble in water.
89
What are the two main types of fatty acids?
Saturated and unsaturated.
90
What characterizes saturated fatty acids?
Saturated fatty acids are saturated with hydrogen.
91
Which type of fatty acids are considered good for you?
Unsaturated fatty acids.
92
What are phospholipids composed of?
Fatty acid chain with a phosphate group.
93
What is the primary function of phospholipids?
Used to make cell membranes.
94
What is the most plentiful lipid?
Triglycerides.
95
What is the most highly concentrated form of chemical energy?
Triglycerides.
96
What are some examples of steroids?
Cholesterol, Estrogen, Testosterone, Cortisol.
97
Proteins
1.Make up body tissue, you don’t want to use protein as energy
2.More complex than carbohydrates and lipids
3.Largely responsible for body tissues
4.Amino Acids are the building blocks and 5. are held together by peptide bonds
6. Most catalysts are protein molecules called enzymes
98
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
Genetic material inside cells
99
What are the two main types of nucleic acids?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
100
What is the role of nucleic acids in cells?
They relay instructions from genes to guide the synthesis of proteins
101
What structure do nucleic acids form?
A double helix (spiral ladder) for DNA and single stranded for RNA
102
Which base pairs with Adenine in DNA?
Thymine
103
Which base pairs with Guanine in DNA?
Cytosine
104
In RNA, which base replaces Thymine?
Uracil
105
Fill in the blank: Nucleic acids are held together with _______.
H bonds
106
True or False: RNA is typically double stranded.
False
107
What does ATP stand for?
Adenosine Triphosphate
108
What is the primary function of ATP?
Provides energy to all living cells
109
How many phosphate groups does ATP contain?
3 Phosphate groups
110
What happens when ATP releases a phosphate group?
Produces energy and converts to ADP
111
What is ADP?
Adenosine diphosphate
112
What process is used to attach a new phosphate to ADP by breaking down glucose?
Cellular Respiration
113
What type of respiration does not require oxygen?
Anaerobic
114
What type of respiration requires oxygen?
Aerobic
115
When a bond is broken in ATP, what is released?
Energy
116
The energy released from breaking a bond is used to make _______.
[other bonds]
117
What are the components of ATP?
* Adenine
* Ribose
* Phosphate groups
