Biochemistry

• What is biochemistry the study of?


  Biochemistry is the study of life and living organisms at a molecular level.
• What are the learning outcomes of studying biochemistry?


  Understanding atomic structure, interactions, and oxidation-reduction reactions.
• What are the basic components of atoms, elements, molecules, and compounds?


  • Elements: One type of atom
  • Molecules: Two or more atoms bonded together
  • Compounds: Two or more different elements bonded together
• What is the molecular formula for water?

  H₂O
• What is the structure of an atom?


  An atom consists of protons, neutrons, and electrons, with protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
• What is the relative size of a proton compared to a nanometer?


  1 nm = 10^-9 m
• What determines the identity of an element?


  The number of protons in the nucleus determines the identity of an element.
• What is the average atomic mass of helium?


  4 g/mol
• What is a mole in chemistry?


  • A mole is the amount of substance containing as many elementary entities as there are atoms in 0.012 kg of carbon-12.
  • 1 mol = 6.02214 × 10²³ particles.
• How many moles are in 4 g of O₂?


  0.125 moles
• What is the formula to calculate the number of moles?


  Moles = mass / relative formula mass
• What are isotopes?


  Isotopes are variations of elements with different numbers of neutrons.
• Why are some isotopes radioactive?


  Some isotopes are radioactive because their nuclei are unstable and decay to release energy.
• What is the role of iodine in clinical medicine after a nuclear disaster?


  Iodine protects the thyroid from radioactive iodine.
• What are ions?


  Ions are atoms with variations in their electrons, resulting in a charge.
• How does an atom become a positive ion?


  An atom becomes a positive ion by losing electrons.
• What determines the reactivity of an element?


  • The outermost shell of electrons determines reactivity.
  • Atoms with incomplete outer shells are unstable and reactive.
• What is covalent bonding?


  Covalent bonding involves the sharing of electrons between atoms to stabilize their outer shells.
• How is an ionic bond formed?


  An ionic bond is formed when one atom loses an electron and another atom gains that electron, creating charged ions.
• What is a hydrogen bond?


  A hydrogen bond is an electrostatic attraction between polar groups, often seen in water molecules.
• What are the types of interactions between molecules?


  • Hydrogen bonds
  • Van der Waals interactions
  • Hydrophobic interactions
• How do van der Waals interactions arise?


  Van der Waals interactions arise due to fluctuations in the electron clouds of atoms.
• What is the significance of hydrophobic interactions?


  Hydrophobic interactions occur when non-polar molecules aggregate in an aqueous environment, pushing water aside.
• What is the relevance of chemical bonds in biological systems?


  • Chemical reactions involve breaking and forming new chemical bonds.
  • Energy is required to hold chemical bonds together.
  • Breaking bonds releases energy, driving metabolic reactions.
• What are oxidation and reduction reactions collectively known as?


  Oxidation and reduction reactions are collectively known as redox reactions.
• What happens during oxidation?


  Oxidation is the loss of electrons from a molecule.
• What is the process of oxidative phosphorylation?


  Oxidative phosphorylation is the process of using electrons from glucose to produce ATP in the mitochondria.
• What is produced when glucose is oxidized?


  Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is produced when glucose is oxidized.