Anatomy and Physiology I
THE CHEMISTRY OF LIFE – Part 2: Inorganic Chemistry
Define the following:
a.
Inorganic chemistry
b.
Organic chemistry
c.
Solvent
d.
Dehydration synthesis
e.
Hydrolysis
f.
Anabolism
g.
Catabolism
h.
Electrolytes
i.
pH
j.
Acid
k.
Base
l.
Salt
m.
Buffer
n.
Trace elements
1
Inorganic Chemistry
Definition:
The most important inorganic materials in body are water, acids/bases,
salts, buffers, and trace elements.
I.
Water – Section 2.4, “Animation – Water,” “Animation – Polarity
and Solubility of Molecules,” “Animation – Water and Fluid Flow”
A. Solvent
Dissolves polar materials best
Doesn’t dissolve nonpolar molecules
Question -
B.
Why does water dissolve polar material better than nonpolar?
Role in Chemical Reactions
Anabolism vs. Catabolism – included in Section 2.3
Dehydration synthesis vs. Hydrolysis
C.
High ability to absorb and retain heat
2
1.
2.
D.
Liquid over wide temperature range
Carries much heat away as it changes from liquid to gas
Lubricant – prevents friction
Aqueous solutions
1.
Ionic bonds break in water
2.
Allows movement of charges into cells
Electrolytes – molecules whose ions conduct electrical currents in
solution. Examples – sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium
bicarbonate
3
Electrolytes in Sweat
II.
pH, Acids, Bases, Salts and Buffers
A. pH – Sect. 2.4, See relevant Animations; Table 2.4
1.
Water can dissociate into hydrogen ion (H+) and
hydroxyl ion (OH-)
H2O → H+ + OH-
2.
Neutral pH
3.
Acids
4.
Bases
5.
Blood pH = 7.35-7.45. Blood pH <7 → coma, blood
pH >7.8 → uncontrolled, sustained muscle contraction
4
Human Relevance – Name a body part that is normally well below pH7.
Why is this important for normal body functioning?
What happens when the pH of this area is increased?
B.
Salts – ionic compound that dissociates to release a positive
and a negative ion. Acid + base = salt; Fig. 2.11
HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O
Hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide (base) = sodium
chloride (salt) + water
C.
III.
Buffers – stabilize pH
Trace Elements
5