Inorganic Substances in Cells Flashcards

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.

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.