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Anatomy & Physiology: Basic Chemistry and Matter

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  • What are the three main subatomic particles of an atom?
    Protons (positive charge), Neutrons (neutral), and Electrons (negative charge).
  • What determines the mass of an atom?
    The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
  • Define an element in chemistry.
    A pure substance made of atoms of only one kind that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.
  • What is an ionic bond?
    A chemical bond formed by the electrical attraction between cations (positive ions) and anions (negative ions) due to electron transfer.
  • What is the difference between cations and anions?
    Cations have a positive charge (lose electrons), Anions have a negative charge (gain electrons).
  • How do ionic compounds behave in water?
    They dissolve and their component ions separate into anions and cations.
  • What defines a molecule?
    A chemical structure consisting of atoms held together by shared electrons (covalent bonds).
  • What is a covalent bond?
    A bond where atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells.
  • Describe the three states of matter.
    Solid: definite shape and volume. Liquid: definite volume, shape of container. Gas: no definite shape or volume, compressible.
  • What is kinetic energy?
    Energy of motion that can be transferred to do work.
  • What is potential energy?
    Stored energy with the potential to do work, often due to position or chemical structure.
  • What is a decomposition (catabolic) reaction?
    A chemical reaction where a complex molecule breaks down into simpler substances, releasing energy.
  • What is anabolism?
    The process of building larger molecules from smaller ones, requiring energy input.
  • What is activation energy?
    The minimum energy required to start a chemical reaction by allowing reactants to reach the transition state.
  • What role do enzymes play in chemical reactions?
    They act as catalysts that lower activation energy, speeding up reactions without being consumed.
  • What does the pH scale measure?
    The acidity or basicity of a solution, ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic), with 7 being neutral.
  • What is ATP and its function?
    Adenosine Triphosphate is the main energy currency of the cell, providing energy for processes like muscle contraction and chemical synthesis.
  • Name key cell organelles and their functions.
    Nucleus (control center), Mitochondria (energy production), Ribosomes (protein synthesis), ER (protein/lipid synthesis), Golgi Apparatus (modifies/packages proteins), Lysosomes (waste breakdown).
  • What is the difference between freely permeable and selectively permeable membranes?
    Freely permeable membranes allow almost any substance to pass; selectively permeable membranes regulate passage using proteins.
  • What is diffusion?
    The passive movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.
  • What is osmosis?
    The passive diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane from low to high solute concentration.
  • Describe isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic solutions effects on cells.
    Isotonic: no net water movement. Hypotonic: water enters cell, may burst. Hypertonic: water leaves cell, cell shrinks.