Unit 2 Biochemistry Short Course

Unit 2 – Biochemistry Short Course

Background Info

Radioisotopes - Define a radioisotope.

IMPORTANT POINT TO KNOW: (not in text): Diagnostic radioisotopes are chosen based on 2 factors:

a.  The target tissue

b.  Shortest ½ life

Importance: These criteria are used to minimize damage to the healthy tissue from the radiation. The purpose of the radiation is to damage the faster growing cancer cells or to highlight the fast working cells but cause no additional damage to other cells.

Polarity

Page 34 - Describe in words what causes a molecule to be polar – this is a very important concept!!! Sketch a diagram of ONE water molecule showing the features that make it polar.

Define a hydrogen bond and some examples of what they do that is important to the human body.

INORGANIC COMPOUNDS: Define: do ______contain Carbon with Hydrogen together (may have either one but NOT at the same time) - ______compounds

I. (pgs 36-37) Water - ______% of body

Match each property of water with its description/importance

_____attracts molecules & forms hydration layers, provides excellent solvent properties

_____requires large amounts of heat energy to disrupt H bonds and cause phase change - efficient cooling mechanism

_____absorbs & releases large amounts of heat before temp. change helps maintain body temp. homeostasis

_____protects organs from physical trauma

_____uses in hydration and dehydration synthesis reactions to make other molecules

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a. cushioning

b. high heat capacity

c. polarity

d. high heat of vaporization

e. reactivity

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II. Salts (pg 37)

A. Define: an ______compound consisting of a cation & an anion.

B. When dissolved in water (body fluids), they separate into ______.

C. Electrolytes are substances that ______. Give 2 example processes of electrolyte/salt use in body functioning:______

III. Acids, Bases & Buffers

Define / pH range
Acid
Base

o  pH - A scale that runs from ___ to ___: & measures H+ ion concentration

o  Buffers - What do they do and why is this function so important? (pgs. 495-497)

ORGANIC COMPOUNDS: Define: Contain ______with ______& most are ______bonded & ______molecules

I. Carbohydrates (saccharide = sugar) ______% of body mass

A.  Monosaccharides & Disaccharides: simple sugars used for

immediate energy

B. poly(many)saccharides

1. Larger size = lower solubility = storage forms of sugars

a. When in plant tissues: called ______& used by

humans for ______

b. When in animal tissues: called ______

- found in ______& ______and used

for ______

C. What has to happen to the disaccharides & polysaccharides before the body can use them?

Define each type of reaction above:

II. Lipids - see table 2.2

A. Nonpolar - Similar to carbs in structure but more energy rich – 3 main types

·  Why are lipids not soluble in water? Be specific

B. neutral fats (AKA. triglycerides) – List the 4 main functions.

1.

2.

3.

4.

C. phospholipids

1. phospho- part is ______while lipid part is ______

2. Uses:

D. steroids

1. All have a ______ring structure & are vital to homeostasis

2. Example steroid: Cholesterol Info:

E. fat soluble vitamins

a. list the 4:

b. Why is it easier to overdose on these than on water-soluble vitamins?

III. Proteins

A. ______% of cell mass: Wide variety of Functions

B. Building blocks are ______connected together with ______bonds.

C. The ______& ______of amino acids determine unique properties (just as the type & sequence of letters determine unique words).

General use / Soluble in H2O? / Chemically active? / Examples
Structural proteins
Functional proteins

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D. Enzymes

1. Functional proteins depend on their______which

depends on ______

2. What determines enzyme specificity?

3. Enzymes act as a catalyst which increases the speed of rxn by lowering

the ______

E. List the 2 causes and 3 results of protein denaturation.

IV. ATP – chemical energy universally usable by all cells

V. DNA & RNA - Collectively provides instructions to make every protein in the body

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