Fundamentals of Medicinal Chemistry

Potassium is a major intracellular cation, meaning it's the most abundant positively charged ion inside cells.

Excessive potassium can paralyze the central nervous system, causing convulsions, diarrhea, kidney failure, and heart attack.

Substances that, when dissolved in water, form ions that conduct electricity.

Elevated potassium levels in the blood; a dangerous condition.

Electrolytes are crucial for maintaining proper fluid balance, nerve and muscle function, and overall bodily processes.

Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a stable outer electron shell with eight valence electrons. Except for hydrogen and helium, most atoms are most stable with 8 valence electrons.

To be stable, atoms try to achieve an electron configuration similar to a noble gas (inert gas).

The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

A substance that dissolves in water to form ions and can conduct electricity.

A substance that does not dissolve in water to form ions hence, not conductive.

The amount of electrolytes in a given volume of solution, commonly measured in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).

Electrolyte deficiencies (hypo) or excess (hyper) can lead to various health problems, such as neurological issues, cardiac problems, and fluid imbalances.

A bond formed when atoms share one pair of electrons.

An atom's ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond.

A covalent bond where electrons are not shared equally due to differences in electronegativity.

A covalent bond where electrons are shared equally due to similar electronegativity.

Atoms with significantly different electronegativity values form ionic bonds.

Electronegativity values help predict the type of bond.

Electronegativity helps determine if a bond will be ionic, polar covalent, or non-polar covalent

A chemical bond where electrons are shared equally between atoms; typically between identical nonmetals.

The degree to which a bond has ionic properties.

An example of an ionic compound formed from sodium and chlorine.

The absolute value of the difference between the electronegativity values of two atoms in a bond.

Metals tend to lose electrons in ionic bonds.

A substance that completely dissociates into ions when dissolved in water.

The process where ions are surrounded by water molecules in a specific manner in aqueous solutions.

A molecule with an uneven distribution of charge, creating partial positive and negative regions.

Essential ions (like Na+, K+, Ca2+) in body fluids, playing crucial roles in various functions.

High melting points, typically soluble in water, and form lattice structures due to the strong electrostatic forces between ions.

The amount of a substance that will give or react with Avogadro's number of electrical charges.

Weight Eq = (Atomic or Molecular Weight) / (charge)

Measurement of electrolyte concentrations in blood plasma or serum.

Milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) is the standard clinical unit for measuring electrolytes.

Crucial for normal cardiac function; deficiencies can have devastating effects on heart function, leading to cardiac arrest.

The balance of electrolytes in body fluids (like blood and plasma) that is crucial for proper cell function.

Milliequivalents per liter, the unit used to measure electrolyte concentration.

An abnormal concentration of electrolytes in the body, leading to various health problems.

Ionic and covalent bonds are formed based on the electronegativity differences between atoms. Large electronegativity difference favors ionic bonds, while small differences favor covalent bonds.

Knowing the electronegativity values of individual atoms can help determine the bond type – either ionic, polar covalent, or non-polar covalent.

The difference in electronegativity between two atoms in a bond determines the type of bond formed. A large difference indicates an ionic bond, while a smaller difference suggests a covalent bond.

A strong electrolyte dissociates completely into ions when dissolved in water, resulting in a solution that conducts electricity very well.

Uneven distribution of electron density in a molecule, resulting in a separation of charge and creating a partial positive and a partial negative end.

The process where ions in a solution are surrounded by water molecules. The water molecules align themselves around the ions, with the oppositely charged ends facing the ions.

Essential ions (like Na+, K+, Ca2+) found in body fluids that play crucial roles in various functions like nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and maintaining fluid balance.

Ionic compounds are formed when a metal loses electrons to a nonmetal, resulting in a salt.

A solution containing ions that can conduct electricity. The conductivity can vary depending on the concentration and type of electrolytes present.

A substance that dissolves in water to form ions, which can conduct electricity.

Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a stable outer electron shell with eight valence electrons.

An atom's ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond.

The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions formed by the transfer of electrons from a metal to a nonmetal.

A type of covalent bond where electrons are not shared equally due to differences in electronegativity, creating partial positive and negative regions.

An equivalent of a substance is the amount that will give or react with Avogadro's number of electrical charges.

The equivalent weight (Eq) of a substance is calculated by dividing its atomic or molecular weight by its charge (n). Eq = Atomic or Molecular Weight / n

Electrolyte status in blood plasma or serum is measured and represented in different ways. mEq/L is the most common unit used in healthcare.

-emia: 'in the blood' -hypo: 'low concentration' -hyper: 'high concentration' -natr: 'sodium' -kal: 'potassium'

Electrolytes like sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) are essential for maintaining bodily functions. Changes in their concentration can lead to serious medical emergencies.

Potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+) move in and out of channels in nerve cell membranes, creating electrical signals that transmit information.

Hypokalemia is a condition of low potassium (K+) levels in the blood.

LoSalt is a salt substitute that is higher in potassium than sodium. It contains potassium chloride (KCl) and provides more potassium than sodium.