Inorganic Substances in Cells Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the chemistry of human life based on?

Only acidic and basic compounds

Inorganic compound and organic compound (correct)

Only inorganic compounds

Only organic compounds

What is an inorganic compound?

A substance that does not contain both carbon and hydrogen.

What is an organic compound?

A substance that contains both carbon and hydrogen.

How many percent of water is in our body?

70 percent Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the role of water in the body.

Lubricant and Cushion, Heat Sink, Component of Liquid Mixtures. Signup and view all the answers

What is water considered as?

The universal solvent Signup and view all the answers

What is a colloid mixture?

A mixture with solute particles that make the liquid opaque. Signup and view all the answers

What is a suspension?

A liquid mixture where a heavier substance is temporarily suspended. Signup and view all the answers

What types of chemical reactions involve water?

Dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis. Signup and view all the answers

How are salts formed?

When ions form ionic bonds. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to sodium chloride when it dissolves in water?

It dissociates into Na+ cations and Cl- anions. Signup and view all the answers

What is an acid defined as?

A substance that releases hydrogen ions (H+) in solution. Signup and view all the answers

Weak acids do not completely _____ in water.

Ionize Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes strong acids?

They release all their H+ in solution, ionizing completely. Signup and view all the answers

What does a base release into solution?

Hydroxyl ions (OH-). Signup and view all the answers

What is the pH scale used to indicate?

The relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Signup and view all the answers

What is a buffer solution composed of?

A weak acid and its conjugate base. Signup and view all the answers

What is acidosis?

Excessive acidity of the blood and other body fluids. Signup and view all the answers

What is alkalosis?

A condition where the blood and body fluids are too alkaline. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when acid is added to a buffer solution?

Hydrogen ions are released but pH does not drop. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a base is added to a solution without buffering properties?

Hydrogen ions are absorbed, pH rises, and the solution becomes more basic. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of bond holds atoms in a water molecule together?

Polar covalent bonds. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Importance of Inorganic Substances in Cells

Inorganic compounds lack both carbon and hydrogen, while organic compounds contain both and are essential for biological functions.
Water constitutes about 70% of an adult's body weight, playing a critical role in various physiological processes.

Role of Water

Acts as a lubricant and cushion in joints and organs, providing shock absorption.
Functions as a heat sink to regulate body temperature.
Serves as a major component in liquid mixtures, maintaining chemical identities without chemical bonding.

Water as the Universal Solvent

Water is often termed the "universal solvent" because it can dissolve a wide variety of substances, facilitating vital biochemical reactions.

Concentration and Mixtures

Concentration refers to the amount of solute in a given volume of solution, measured in units such as milligrams per deciliter.
Colloids contain solute particles that are large enough to scatter light but not settle out, examples include milk and yogurt.
Suspensions contain larger particles that can settle out over time, seen in blood when assessing sedimentation rates.

Water in Chemical Reactions

In dehydration synthesis, water is produced as a by-product when two molecules bond together.
Hydrolysis involves the splitting of water molecules to break bonds in compounds, essential for digestion and metabolism.

Salts, Acids, and Bases

Salts form from ionic bonds where one atom loses electrons (becoming positively charged) and another gains electrons (becoming negatively charged).
Strong acids ionize completely in solution, releasing hydrogen ions (H+), while weak acids do not fully ionize.
Bases release hydroxyl ions (OH-) and can accept protons, thus neutralizing acidity in solutions.

pH and Buffers

pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity, with a scale ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic), where 7 is neutral.
Buffers are solutions containing a weak acid and its conjugate base, maintaining pH by neutralizing excess acids or bases.
Acidosis refers to excessive acidity in blood, often due to respiratory or metabolic issues, while alkalosis indicates elevated alkalinity.

Homeostatic Imbalances

Respiratory disorders can cause both acidosis (buildup of CO2) and alkalosis (decrease in CO2).
Conditions like severe vomiting or excessive use of antacids can lead to metabolic alkalosis.

Chemical Bonds in Water

Atoms in water molecules are held together by polar covalent bonds, with hydrogen bonds forming between multiple water molecules, contributing to its unique properties.

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Description

Explore the critical role of inorganic substances like water, salts, acids, and bases in cellular functions. This quiz covers their importance in maintaining pH and buffers in biological systems. Use these flashcards to enhance your understanding of these essential compounds.