Inorganic Compounds Essential to Life

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30 Questions

Which type of compound does not contain both carbon and hydrogen?

Inorganic compound

What is the chemical formula for hydrochloric acid?

HCl

Which element is the third most abundant in the human body after carbon and hydrogen?

Oxygen

Why are organic compounds synthesized?

Via covalent bonds within living organisms

Which compound is an example of an inorganic compound that contains carbon?

CO2

What role do buffers play in helping the body maintain pH homeostasis?

Preventing large changes in pH

Which type of proteins are strong, durable, and hydrophobic?

Collagen

In enzymatic reactions, what role do substrates play?

They are reactants that bind to the enzyme

Which type of proteins are described as globes or spheres and tend to be highly reactive and hydrophilic?

Globular proteins

Without enzymes, what would be the state of the human body?

Nonfunctional

What is the main function of enzymes in the body?

To catalyze chemical reactions

Which part of the enzyme is responsible for substrate binding in enzymatic reactions?

Active site

What is the major component of many of the body's lubricating fluids?

Water

How much of an adult's body weight is water?

70%

Which inorganic compound is listed as essential to life in the text?

Salts

What role does water play in protecting organs from physical trauma?

Acting as a cushion

What is the function of water in synovial fluid?

Lubricating body joints

Which substance absorbs and dissipates heat without a significant temperature increase?

Water

What is the difference between an object's mass and weight?

Mass is the amount of matter in the object, while weight is its mass affected by gravity.

Why does an object weigh less on the moon compared to Earth?

Because the moon's gravity is weaker than Earth's.

How is an element different from a compound?

An element cannot be broken down by ordinary chemical means, while a compound can.

Why must elements be obtained from the environment?

Because elements cannot be produced within the human body.

Which statement about calcium (Ca) is true?

Calcium is absorbed and used for strengthening bones.

Why does a piece of cheese weigh differently on the moon compared to Earth?

Because gravity affects weight differently on Earth and the moon.

What are glycoproteins and proteoglycans produced from?

Proteins and carbohydrates

Why does the body use proteins for energy when carbohydrate and fat intake is inadequate?

There is no storage site for protein except functional tissues

Which compound can nucleotides be assembled into?

Adenosine triphosphate

What do nucleotides consist of?

Phosphate groups, pentose sugar, and nitrogen-containing base

Which nucleic acid stores genetic information?

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

What makes deoxyribose different from ribose?

Ribose has one less atom of oxygen than deoxyribose

Study Notes

Compounds and Elements

  • Inorganic compounds do not have to contain both carbon and hydrogen.
  • The chemical formula for hydrochloric acid is HCl.
  • Oxygen is the third most abundant element in the human body after carbon and hydrogen.

Organic Compounds

  • Organic compounds are synthesized for various purposes.
  • Carbon-containing inorganic compounds include cyanides, cyanates, and carbonates.

Proteins

  • Buffers help maintain pH homeostasis in the body.
  • Fibrous proteins are strong, durable, and hydrophobic.
  • Enzymatic reactions involve substrates binding to active sites.
  • Globular proteins are highly reactive and hydrophilic.

Enzymes

  • Without enzymes, the human body would be in a state of chaos.
  • The main function of enzymes is to catalyze chemical reactions.
  • The active site is responsible for substrate binding in enzymatic reactions.

Body Fluids

  • Water is the major component of many lubricating fluids in the body.
  • An adult's body weight is approximately 55-60% water.
  • Water plays a crucial role in protecting organs from physical trauma.
  • Water in synovial fluid helps absorb and dissipate heat without a significant temperature increase.

Mass and Weight

  • An object's mass is a measure of its amount of matter, while its weight is the force exerted on it by gravity.
  • An object weighs less on the moon compared to Earth due to the moon's lower gravity.
  • Elements are different from compounds in that they consist of only one type of atom, whereas compounds consist of two or more different atoms.
  • Elements must be obtained from the environment because the human body cannot synthesize them.
  • Calcium (Ca) is essential for many bodily functions.

Other Key Concepts

  • Glycoproteins and proteoglycans are produced from carbohydrates and proteins.
  • The body uses proteins for energy when carbohydrate and fat intake is inadequate.
  • Nucleotides can be assembled into nucleic acids.
  • Nucleotides consist of a sugar molecule, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
  • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) stores genetic information.
  • Deoxyribose differs from ribose in that it lacks an oxygen atom on the 2' carbon.

Explore the importance of inorganic compounds like water, salts, acids, and bases in the human body. Learn how these compounds are vital for body structure and functioning, and their roles in nutrition and health.

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