Nutrition Chapter 1: Chemistry Foundations

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Questions and Answers

What is the study of the composition and characteristics of matter, and the changes that it can undergo?

chemistry

What is the term for the study of how the human body functions?

human physiology

What is composed of a complex collection of chemicals?

you (human body)

What is the main goal of learning basic chemistry concepts in the context of nutrition?

to understand how the matter in food becomes the raw materials for building, fueling, and sustaining healthy bodies Signup and view all the answers

What are the raw materials that your cells need to survive and function?

nutrients and oxygen Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to learn the meanings of basic chemistry terms?

to understand the nutrition information in the following chapters Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of Section 4.3 in the chapter?

the digestive system and how it functions Signup and view all the answers

What is the topic of Section 4.4 in the chapter?

common health problems that affect the digestive system Signup and view all the answers

What is the central region of an atom where protons are found?

nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What is the charge of protons in an atom?

positively charged Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances by ordinary chemical or physical means?

element Signup and view all the answers

What is the symbol for the element sodium?

Na Signup and view all the answers

What is a chemical bond?

an attraction that holds atoms together and forms a molecule Signup and view all the answers

What is the chemical formula for a water molecule?

H2O Signup and view all the answers

How many carbon atoms are in a glucose molecule?

6 Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a group of atoms that are bonded together?

molecule Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about carbon atoms that allows them to form a vast array of organic compounds?

ability to bond to other carbon atoms and form multiple bonds Signup and view all the answers

What are minerals, in terms of elements?

elements found in the Earth's crust Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary component of solutions in living things?

water Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent?

solubility Signup and view all the answers

What happens to an atom when it gains or loses one or more electrons?

It becomes an ion with an electrical charge. Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for the positively charged hydrogen ion?

H+ Signup and view all the answers

What are substances that lose H+ when dissolved in water?

acids Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the pH scale?

to measure the concentration of hydrogen ions Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of solutions that contain ions that can conduct electricity?

electrolytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a mixture of two or more compounds that is evenly distributed?

solution Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a substance that dissolves in a solvent?

solute Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a substance that is insoluble in water and will not dissolve in it?

fat Signup and view all the answers

What is the pH of a solution that has the same number of H+ as OH−?

7 Signup and view all the answers

What is the pH of a drain cleaner that contains sodium hydroxide?

about 14 Signup and view all the answers

What is the pH of black coffee?

about 5.0 Signup and view all the answers

What is the pH of your blood under normal conditions?

between 7.35 to 7.45 Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the pH of a solution when an acid is added to an alkaline solution?

it becomes neutralized Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of buffers in the blood?

to accept excess OH− or H+ when necessary Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the lungs in maintaining the normal pH of blood?

to remove excess H+ from blood by means of chemical reactions that result in the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and H2O in exhaled air Signup and view all the answers

What is the pigment that is used as a natural dye for coloring yarns and can also be used as a crude pH meter?

anthocyanin Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which large molecules in food are broken down into smaller ones?

digestion Signup and view all the answers

What is a chemical reaction?

a process that changes the arrangement of atoms in the molecules Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when vinegar and baking soda react?

Carbon dioxide gas forms and sodium acetate is produced. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an acid ingredient in recipes that require baking soda?

To react with the baking soda and produce carbon dioxide gas, which helps to 'raise' the mixture. Signup and view all the answers

What is metabolism, and what are its two main categories?

Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions that occur in living cells. Its two main categories are catabolic reactions, which involve breaking down molecules, and anabolic reactions, which involve synthesizing new compounds. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of an enzyme in a chemical reaction?

An enzyme catalyzes, or speeds up, a particular chemical reaction, without becoming part of the products of the reaction. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of most enzyme names?

Most enzyme names end with the suffix -ase. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you need to avoid adding fresh or frozen pineapple to gelatin recipes?

Because pineapple contains enzymes that break down gelatin, preventing it from forming a gel. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between an acid and a base?

An acid is a substance that donates a proton, while a base is a substance that accepts a proton. Signup and view all the answers

What is pH, and what does it measure?

pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, with a pH of 7 being neutral, below 7 being acidic, and above 7 being basic. Signup and view all the answers

What are the factors that can alter an enzyme's activity?

Factors that can alter an enzyme's activity include pH, temperature, and the presence of certain vitamins and minerals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a chemical reaction between an acid and a base?

A salt and water are produced, along with heat and/or light. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Basic Chemistry Concepts

Matter is composed of atoms, which contain protons, electrons, and neutrons.
Atoms are the building blocks of matter, and they can bond with each other to form molecules.
Elements are substances that cannot be separated into simpler substances by ordinary chemical or physical means.
Elements are the "building blocks" of matter, and they can be represented by symbols (e.g., C for carbon, H for hydrogen, etc.).

Atoms to Compounds

Atoms interact with each other to form chemical bonds, which hold atoms together to form molecules.
Chemical bonds can be single, double, or triple bonds.
Carbon atoms have four bonding sites, which allows them to bond with each other and form multiple bonds with neighboring carbon atoms.
Compounds are molecules that contain two or more different elements in specific proportions.

Solutions

A solution is an evenly distributed mixture of two or more compounds.
In living things, water is often the solvent, and the substances that dissolve in water are called solutes.
Solubility describes the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent.
Some substances, like sugar, dissolve easily in water, while others, like fat, do not dissolve in water.

Ions

Ions are atoms or groups of atoms that have an electrical charge due to gaining or losing electrons.
Ions can be positively or negatively charged, depending on whether they have gained or lost electrons.
Electrolytes are substances that can conduct electricity, and they are often ions that can move freely in a solution.
Electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, have important functions in the body, including maintaining proper fluid balance.

Acids and Bases

Acids are substances that lose H+ (hydrogen ions) when dissolved in water.
Bases are substances that remove and accept H+ when dissolved in water.
The pH scale measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, with a pH of 7 being neutral.
A solution with a pH below 7 is acidic, while a solution with a pH above 7 is basic.

Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions are processes that change the arrangement of atoms in molecules.
Synthesis reactions involve combining elements or compounds to form new substances.
Decomposition reactions involve breaking down molecules into smaller components.
Enzymes are molecules that catalyze (speed up) specific chemical reactions.

Metabolism and Enzymes

Metabolism refers to the sum of all chemical reactions that occur in living cells.
Catabolic reactions involve breaking down molecules, while anabolic reactions involve synthesizing new compounds.
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze specific chemical reactions and are recyclable.
Each enzyme usually has a specific action, and they are sensitive to environmental conditions such as pH, temperature, and the presence of certain vitamins and minerals.

Gelatin and Enzymes

Gelatin is a source of animal protein that dissolves in boiled water and thickens as it cools.
Some fruits, such as pineapple, papaya, kiwifruit, and guava, contain enzymes that break down gelatin.
Heating destroys these enzymes, so they can be used in recipes that include gelatin.

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Description

This quiz covers the basic chemistry concepts in nutrition, including elements, ions, chemical bonds, and enzymes. It also explains the differences between acids and bases and the role of enzymes in chemical reactions.