the chemistry of life

Question 1

name the 6 characteristics of life

Answer 1

1. consists of cells
2. grow and develop
3. regulate metabolism
4. react to stimuli
5. reproduce
6. adapt to environments

Question 2

what are the 4 main characteristics of inorganic compounds

Answer 2

1. do not have a living origin
2. do not contain carbon
3. are elements and simple molecules
4. do not burn in oxygen

Question 3

explain the hydrogen bonds of water

Answer 3

are strong intermolecular forces that are responsible for cohesion forces between water molecules

Question 4

explain the polar nature of water

Answer 4

is the reason why water can form strong adhesive forces with many other substances

Question 5

why is the mineral carbon important

Answer 5

it is essential to animals and plants

Question 6

why is the mineral nitrogen important

Answer 6

is an essential element of amino acids, proteins and DNA

Question 7

what is the pH scale

Answer 7

is an instrument to indicate the degree of acidity or alkalinity

Question 8

most enzymes in the human body function at optimally ___ to slightly ____

Answer 8

neutral alkaline

Question 9

what is a buffer

Answer 9

is a substance that counteracts pH changes

Question 10

what is the function of salts

Answer 10

help with conducting nerve impulses and muscle functioning

Question 11

what are the 4 characteristics of organic compounds

Answer 11

1. generally have a living origin
2. contain large numbers of carbon
3. are complex molecules
4. are combustible in oxygen

Question 12

what do carbohydrates contain

Answer 12

carbon , hydrogen and oxygen

Question 13

describe a monosaccharide and it’s 3 different types

Answer 13

• contains 3-7 carbon atoms
• triose (3C)
• pentose (5C)
• hexose ( 6C)
  
  • glucose, fructose and galactose

Question 14

describe a disaccharide and it’s 3 types

Answer 14

• is 2 monosaccharides bonded together
• glucose + glucose = maltose
• glucose + fructose = sucrose
• glucose + galactose = lactose

is water soluble

Question 15

describe what a polysaccharide is

Answer 15

is a macromolecule that consists of thousands of interconnected monomers, usually glucose

Question 16

starch is a polysaccharide, describe it

Answer 16

• is stored in plants
• amylase has shorter branches chains
• amylopectin has longer chains and is the most common form of starch and is not soluble in water

Question 17

glycogen is a polysaccharide, describe it

Answer 17

• sometimes referred to as animal starch
• is soluble in water
• stored in the muscle and liver cells

Question 18

cellulose is a polysaccharide, describe it

Answer 18

• is the structural polysaccharide in plants
• provides strength and support
• we cannot digest it
• creates roughage to stimulate peristalsis
• is insoluble in water

Question 19

chitin is a polysaccharide, describe it

Answer 19

• found in the exoskeleton of insects

Question 20

fats and oils are ____ in water

Answer 20

insoluble

Question 21

what are the building blocks of fats

Answer 21

glycerol and fatty acids

Question 22

why are saturated fats dangerous

Answer 22

they are harder than polyunsaturated fats and can cause cardiovascular disease and are unhealthy

Question 23

why do we need fats

Answer 23

for metabolic reactions and because some vitamins are only soluble in fat

Question 24

why is cholesterol essential

Answer 24

for forming the cell membrane

Question 25

what are the building blocks of protein

Answer 25

amino acids

Question 26

all ____ are proteins

Answer 26

enzymes

Question 27

what are the functions of proteins

Answer 27

1. play a role in transport 2. play a structural role 3. is a reserve form of energy 4. is important for support and repair of cells

Question 28

what are amino acids bounded by

Answer 28

peptide bonds

Question 29

enzymes are biological catalysts, explain this

Answer 29

they start or accelerate chemical reactions without undergoing any changes themselves

Question 30

what is the lock and key mechanism that enzymes work according to

Answer 30

the enzyme has an active center that will only recognize a specific molecule or substrate

Question 31

what are the 2 types of reactions that enzymes can perform

Answer 31

anabolic and catabolic

Question 32

explain what co factors are

Answer 32

- they are non protein parts that help the enzymes perform - can be organic or inorganic - most minerals act as co factors

Question 33

explain what co enzymes are

Answer 33

- they are organic non protein parts that help enzymes perform - many vitamins are co enzymes

Question 34

explain all the details of the mineral calcium

Answer 34

- source is fish - plays a role in muscle contraction - deficiency can lead to ineffective blood clotting

Question 35

explain all the details of the mineral potassium

Answer 35

- source is fruit - helps relax muscles - deficiency can lead to irregular heart best

Question 36

explain all the details of the mineral sodium

Answer 36

- source is salt - helps with muscle contraction - deficiency can lead to muscle cramps

Question 37

explain all the details of the mineral iodine

Answer 37

- source is seafood - is part of the hormone thyroxin - deficiency can lead to a large thyroid gland

Question 38

explain all the details of the mineral iron

Answer 38

- source is fish - is part of hemoglobin - deficiency can affect mental competency

Question 39

explain all the details of the mineral zinc

Answer 39

- source is fish - is a co factor for at least 70 enzymes - cognitive ability

Question 40

explain all the details of the mineral selenium

Answer 40

- source is meat - is an anti oxidant - deficiency can lead to problems in the immune system

Question 41

explain all the details of the vitamin A

Answer 41

- source is the liver - is an anti oxidant - deficiency can cause night blindness

Question 42

explain all the details of the vitamin D

Answer 42

- source is fish oil - promotes strong bones and teeth - deficiency can lead to rickets

Question 43

explain all the details of the vitamin E

Answer 43

- source is nuts - protection against aging - deficiency can lead to damage of the nervous system

Question 44

explain all the details of the vitamin K

Answer 44

- source is the intestinal bacteria - synthesis of proteins for blood clotting - blood clotting hampered

Question 45

explain all the details of the vitamin C

Answer 45

- source is citrus - synthesis of collagen - deficiency will lead to weak capillary vessels

Question 46

explain all the details of the vitamin B1

Answer 46

- source is liver - helps prevent constipation - deficiency will lead to weak muscles

Question 47

explain all the details of the vitamin B2

Answer 47

- source is liver - is a co enzyme - deficiency leads to sore corners of the mouth

Question 48

explain all the details of the vitamin B3

Answer 48

- source is liver - is a co enzyme in amino acid metabolism - deficiency will lead to reactions in cells to be blocked

Question 49

explain the food test for glucose

Answer 49

- we use the Benedict solution | - a positive result will turn orange in color

Question 50

explain the food test for starch

Answer 50

- we use iodine | - a positive test will turn the substance blue- black in color

Question 51

explain the food test for lipids

Answer 51

- we use the ether test | - a positive result will show a fatty stain on the filter paper

Question 52

explain the food test for proteins

Answer 52

- we use the biuret test | - a positive test will show a color change to violet