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Anatomy & Physiology: Basic Chemistry and Macromolecules

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  • What is an atom?

    An atom is the smallest stable unit of matter.

  • Define nutrients in the body.

    Nutrients are essential substances obtained from food used for energy, growth, and tissue maintenance.

  • What are metabolites?

    Metabolites are all molecules synthesized or broken down by chemical reactions inside the body.

  • What are electrolytes?

    Electrolytes are soluble inorganic molecules whose ions conduct electrical current in solution.

  • Difference between cations and anions?

    Cations are positively charged ions (e.g., Na+), and anions are negatively charged ions (e.g., Cl−).

  • What is metabolism?

    Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions occurring in the body at any given time.

  • What is activation energy?

    Activation energy is the minimum energy required to start a chemical reaction.

  • Compare catabolism and anabolism.

    Catabolism breaks down molecules and releases energy; anabolism builds molecules and requires energy.

  • What is an enzyme?

    An enzyme is a specialized protein that acts as a biological catalyst to speed up chemical reactions.

  • Define substrate and active site.

    Substrate is the reactant an enzyme acts on; the active site is the enzyme region where the substrate binds.

  • How do enzymes speed up reactions?

    Enzymes lower the activation energy required, accelerating reactions without being consumed.

  • Difference between organic and inorganic compounds?

    Organic compounds contain both carbon and hydrogen; inorganic compounds generally do not.

  • What are hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules?

    Hydrophilic molecules are polar and dissolve in water; hydrophobic molecules are nonpolar and do not mix with water.

  • Explain the pH scale.

    The pH scale measures hydrogen ion concentration: 7 is neutral, below 7 acidic, above 7 basic (alkaline).

  • What are buffers in the body?

    Buffers stabilize body pH by removing or replacing hydrogen ions, maintaining homeostasis.

  • Primary function of carbohydrates?

    Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred and most readily available source of cellular energy.

  • What is glycogen?

    Glycogen is a polysaccharide that stores glucose in liver and skeletal muscles.

  • Primary functions of lipids?

    Lipids provide long-term energy storage, cell membrane structure, and hormone production.

  • Name three structural lipids.

    Phospholipids, glycolipids, and cholesterol are key structural lipids in cell membranes.

  • What is denaturation of proteins?

    Denaturation is the irreversible loss of a protein’s 3D shape due to heat or pH changes, making it non-functional.

  • List the four structural levels of proteins.

    Primary (amino acid sequence), secondary (alpha-helices/beta-sheets), tertiary (3D shape), and quaternary (multiple chains).

  • Five major functions of proteins?

    Structure, enzymes, transport, defense, and movement.

  • Role of DNA and RNA?

    DNA stores genetic information; RNA translates it into protein synthesis instructions.

  • What is ATP?

    ATP is the main high-energy compound that powers cellular work by transferring energy.