Acids, Bases, and pH Scale

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Questions and Answers

Explain why a solution with a pH of 3 has a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) compared to a solution with a pH of 6.

Because the pH scale is logarithmic, each unit decrease in pH represents a tenfold increase in hydrogen ion concentration. Therefore pH 3 has 1000 times more H+ ions than pH 6.

How do buffers like carbonic acid ((H_2CO_3)) help maintain pH balance in the blood?

Buffers like carbonic acid maintain pH balance by absorbing excess hydrogen ions when the blood is too acidic or releasing hydrogen ions when the blood is too basic.

What type of reaction occurs when an acid and a base are mixed together, and what are the products of this reaction?

A neutralization reaction occurs. The products are a salt and water.

If a solution has a pH of 7, is it considered acidic, basic, or neutral? Explain your answer.

A solution with a pH of 7 is considered neutral because it has an equal concentration of hydrogen ([H^+]) and hydroxide ([OH^-]) ions. Signup and view all the answers

Why is maintaining a stable blood pH crucial for the proper functioning of living cells?

Maintaining a stable blood pH is crucial because changes in pH can affect the function of enzymes, which mediate chemical reactions necessary for normal cell function. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between acidosis and alkalosis, and how do these conditions relate to blood pH levels?

Acidosis occurs when blood pH is below 7, while alkalosis occurs when blood pH is above 7.8. Signup and view all the answers

Describe what happens to an acid when it is dissolved in water, and what ion is released during this process.

When an acid is dissolved in water, it dissociates (breaks apart) and releases hydrogen ions (H+). Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the concentrations of hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) relate to each other in pure water.

In pure water, the concentrations of hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) are equal, making the solution neutral. Signup and view all the answers

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How do dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis relate to the formation and breakdown of polymers?

Dehydration synthesis forms polymers by removing water, while hydrolysis breaks down polymers by adding water. Signup and view all the answers

Why are proteins considered organic molecules, and what two elements must they contain?

Proteins are organic because they contain carbon and hydrogen. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of enzymes as functional proteins, providing an example.

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions. Digestive enzymes are an example. Signup and view all the answers

If a protein is composed of 15 amino acids, how many water molecules were removed during its synthesis?

14 Signup and view all the answers

Describe the primary structure of a protein. What determines this structure?

The primary structure is the amino acid sequence. It is determined by the order of amino acids in the protein chain. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes essential amino acids from other amino acids, and why is this difference important?

Essential amino acids cannot be made by the body and must be obtained from food. Signup and view all the answers

How do structural proteins like keratin and collagen contribute to the body's structure?

Keratin provides structure to skin, hair, and nails, while collagen strengthens skin, ligaments, and cartilage. Signup and view all the answers

If a dipeptide bond is broken via hydrolysis, what reactants are required, and what products are generated?

A dipeptide and water are required. Two amino acids are generated. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how hydrogen bonding contributes to the secondary structure of a protein, and provide an example of a common secondary structure element.

Hydrogen bonds form between amino acids, leading to twists or folds in the polypeptide chain, such as alpha-helices or beta-pleated sheets. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how the tertiary structure of a protein is stabilized, and explain the significance of its globular shape.

The tertiary structure is stabilized by covalent bonding, for example, disulfide bridges between R groups, and hydrophobic interactions resulting in a globular shape allowing the protein to be soluble and functional. Signup and view all the answers

What is quaternary structure in proteins, and why is it important for some, but not all, proteins?

Quaternary structure involves multiple polypeptide chains joining to form a functional protein. It's important when protein function requires multiple subunits, such as hemoglobin's oxygen-carrying capacity, but not if the protein is functional as a single polypeptide. Signup and view all the answers

Relate the function of carbohydrates to the concept of energy storage, and explain the difference between the roles of starch and glycogen.

Carbohydrates are an energy source. Starch is a storage of glucose in plants, whereas glycogen is a storage of glucose in animals. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of monosaccharides as the building blocks of carbohydrates. Give two specific examples of common monosaccharides and where they are found.

Monosaccharides are the monomers that make up carbohydrates. Glucose is found in the blood, fructose is found in fruits, and galactose is found in milk. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the process of dehydration synthesis in the context of carbohydrate formation, and provide examples of disaccharides formed through this process.

Dehydration synthesis involves removing a water molecule to join two monosaccharides, forming a disaccharide. Examples include maltose or lactose. Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast the structures of starch and glycogen, highlighting how their structural differences relate to their functions.

Starch has one main chain, and few side chains. Glycogen has one main chain, and many side chains. The highly branched structure of glycogen allows for rapid glucose release, while starch's structure is less branched providing longer-term energy storage. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the structural characteristics of cellulose, and explain why humans cannot digest it, even though it is composed of glucose monomers.

Cellulose has one main chain of glucose monomers, but the sugars are joined by a different type of linkage which humans can not digest, so cellulose acts as “fibre” in our diets. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why lipids provide more energy per gram than carbohydrates.

Lipids consist of long hydrocarbon chains, which means they have more carbon-hydrogen bonds. These bonds store a significant amount of energy, thus yielding more energy when metabolized compared to carbohydrates. Signup and view all the answers

How do the structural differences between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids affect their physical state at room temperature?

Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds, allowing them to pack tightly together, resulting in a solid state at room temperature. Unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds that create kinks, preventing tight packing and resulting in a liquid state. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the primary function of waxes in plants and animals, relating it to their molecular structure.

Waxes serve as a waterproof protective coating due to their long, nonpolar hydrocarbon chains, making them hydrophobic. In plants, this prevents water loss, and in animals, it protects skin and fur. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the process of how a triglyceride is formed, naming the reactants and type of chemical reaction involved.

A triglyceride is formed through dehydration synthesis, where three fatty acid molecules react with one glycerol molecule. This process removes three water molecules, linking the fatty acids to the glycerol backbone with ester bonds. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of hydrogenation of vegetable oils, and what type of fat is produced through this process?

Hydrogenation converts liquid vegetable oils into solid or semi-solid fats by adding hydrogen atoms to the carbon-carbon double bonds in unsaturated fatty acids. This process produces trans fats, which have a longer shelf life. Signup and view all the answers

How does the structure of phospholipids contribute to their function in cell membranes?

Phospholipids have a polar (hydrophilic) head and two nonpolar (hydrophobic) tails. In cell membranes, they arrange themselves into a bilayer with the hydrophobic tails facing inward and the hydrophilic heads facing outward, creating a barrier that separates the cell's interior from its external environment. Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast the origins and compositions of fats and oils.

Fats are typically derived from animals and are composed primarily of saturated fatty acids, making them solid at room temperature. Oils are plant-derived and consist mainly of unsaturated fatty acids (both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated), causing them to be liquid at room temperature. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how lipids contribute to the regulation of body temperature and the protection of internal organs.

Lipids provide insulation beneath the skin, reducing heat loss and helping to maintain a stable body temperature, preventing hypothermia. They also provide a protective padding around internal organs, cushioning them against physical shock and injury. Signup and view all the answers

How does the hydrogenation process affect the structure and properties of oils, and what is a common byproduct of this process?

Hydrogenation hardens oils by bubbling hydrogen through them. A common byproduct is trans fats. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why trans fats are considered 'abnormal' compared to cis fats, and provide an everyday example of a food item where trans fats are commonly found.

Trans fats have a different molecular configuration than cis fats, which makes them 'abnormal'. They're common in fried foods or store-bought baked goods. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how trans fats impact cholesterol levels in the body, and what potential health risk is associated with this impact?

Trans fats increase LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease. Signup and view all the answers

How do phospholipids differ in structure from triglycerides, and what is the significance of this difference in the context of cell membranes?

Phospholipids have a phosphate group instead of a fatty acid. This allows them to form a bilayer in cell membranes that regulates molecule passage. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the basic structure of steroids, and name two specific examples of steroids that are important in the human body.

Steroids consist of 4 carbon rings. Cholesterol and sex hormones are examples. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three components of a nucleotide, and how do different nucleotides vary from one another?

A nucleotide contains a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphoric acid group, and a nitrogenous base. They differ by their nitrogenous base. Signup and view all the answers

Distinguish between purines and pyrimidines in terms of their structure.

Purines have a double-ring structure, while pyrimidines have a single-ring structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of ATP in cells, and how is energy released from this molecule?

ATP carries energy within cells. Energy is released when one of its phosphate bonds is broken. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Acid

A compound that releases hydrogen ions (H+) when dissolved in water.

Base

A compound that releases hydroxide ions (OH-) when dissolved in water.