Cell Biology: Components and Inorganic Substances
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following components is NOT part of the protoplasm?

  • Nucleoplasm
  • Cell membrane (correct)
  • Cytoplasm
  • Colloid material

What is the primary role of water in the living cell?

  • To store genetic information
  • To serve as a solvent and facilitate transport (correct)
  • To generate cellular energy
  • To provide structural support

Which of the following correctly describes an acid?

  • A substance that donates a hydrogen ion (correct)
  • A substance that releases hydroxide ions
  • A substance that donates a hydroxide ion
  • A substance that maintains a neutral pH

What does a pH of 7 indicate?

<p>A neutral solution (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical pH of arterial plasma?

<p>7.40 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the reaction between an acid and a base typically affect pH?

<p>It neutralizes the solution (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which property of water allows it to stabilize cellular temperature?

<p>High heat capacity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do buffers play in biological systems?

<p>Maintaining pH within normal limits (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Inorganic substances

Non-living chemical compounds found in cells, including water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and salts.

Water's high heat capacity

Water's ability to absorb a lot of heat without a large temperature change.

Water's high heat of evaporation

The large amount of energy needed to change liquid water to water vapor.

Water as a solvent

Water's ability to easily dissolve solutes, like salts or sugars.

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Acid

A substance that releases hydrogen ions (H+).

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Base (or Alkali)

A substance that accepts hydrogen ions (H+).

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pH Scale

A scale used to measure acidity or alkalinity of a solution using numbers from 0 to 14.

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Buffer

A substance that helps maintain a stable pH in a solution by resisting changes in pH.

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Study Notes

Cell Components

  • Living cells consist of protoplasm, surrounded by a plasma membrane
  • Protoplasm is the living material of the cell (cytoplasm and nucleoplasm)
  • Protoplasm is a colloid (chemical molecules: inorganic and organic)

Inorganic Substances

  • Four key inorganic substances in cells:
    • Water
    • Carbon dioxide
    • Oxygen
    • Salts

Importance of Water

  • Most abundant compound in the body (70-90%)
  • Carries substances to and from cells
  • Enables absorption, exchange, secretion, and excretion
  • Properties:
    • High heat capacity
    • High heat of evaporation
    • Solvent (95% of cellular water is free)

Water Molecules and Solutions

  • Water molecules have positive and negative poles
  • Solutions contain dissolved substances in water
    • Glucose in solution
    • Sodium chloride in solution (illustrated)

Acids, Bases, and Salts

  • Acids: Donate hydrogen ions (H+)
    • Example: Hydrochloric acid (HCl) in stomach
  • Bases: Accept hydrogen ions (OH-)
    • Also called alkalis
    • Example: Sodium hydroxide (releases hydroxide ions)
  • Reaction of acid and base: Produces salt and water
  • pH Scale: Measures acidity or basicity (alkalinity)
    • Ranges from 0 to 14
    • 7 is neutral (equal hydrogen and hydroxide ions)
    • Below 7 is acidic (higher hydrogen ions)
    • Above 7 is basic (higher hydroxide ions)
    • Blood pH is normally 7.40

Buffers and Salts

  • Buffers: Maintain pH within normal limits
    • Important for health
    • Blood pH is normally about 7.4 (slightly alkaline)
  • Salts: Electrolytes; Cations (not hydrogen) and Anions (not hydroxide)
    • Essential for metabolic processes, cell transport, muscle contraction, and nerve impulses
    • Ions (Cl-, Na+, K+, Mg++) are important in maintaining osmotic pressure, acid-base balance.
    • Intracellular fluid has high K+ and Mg++, while extracellular fluid has high Na+ and Cl-
    • Hydrogen ions (H+) are more excreted extracellular, while bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) are more intracellular.

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Description

Explore the foundational elements of cell biology, focusing on cell components, especially protoplasm and the vital role of inorganic substances like water, acids, and bases. This quiz covers essential topics for understanding cellular structure and function.

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