Technologist in Chemistry Flashcards

Which group of functional groups is present in sugars all the time?

Answer: Hydroxyl qroups

Sugars, also known as carbohydrates, are organic compounds characterized by the presence of multiple hydroxyl (-OH) functional groups. These hydroxyl groups, along with a carbonyl group (either an aldehyde or a ketone), are fundamental to the structure and chemical properties of all sugars. They enable sugars' solubility in water and their crucial roles in biological processes.

Why is oxygen necessary for us?

Answer: To create ATP, our cells require oxygen.

Oxygen is essential for cellular respiration, the metabolic process by which cells generate energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In the mitochondria, oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, a critical step that drives the production of the vast majority of ATP needed for all cellular functions.

Which ion is necessary for maintaining pH balance among the following?

Answer: Hydrogen

Hydrogen ions (H+) play a crucial role in maintaining pH balance within the body. The concentration of hydrogen ions directly determines the acidity or alkalinity of bodily fluids. Various buffer systems, involving molecules like bicarbonate, work to regulate H+ levels to keep pH within a narrow, healthy range essential for physiological function.

Which of these statements about a patient's likelihood of developing metabolic acidosis or alkalosis is often true if they are removing a lot of waste from their body?

Answer: Vomiting can induce metabolic alkalosis, whereas diarrhea can induce metabolic acidosis.

Excessive vomiting leads to the loss of stomach acid (hydrochloric acid), which contains hydrogen ions, resulting in an increase in blood pH and metabolic alkalosis. Conversely, severe diarrhea causes a significant loss of bicarbonate from the intestines, leading to a decrease in blood pH and metabolic acidosis. Therefore, these conditions have opposite effects on acid-base balance.

Which test result most closely matches the definition of metabolic alkalosis?

Answer: High pH, high PaCO2, high bicarbonate

Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by an elevated blood pH (alkalemia) due to an excess of bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the body. The body attempts to compensate for this alkalosis by hypoventilation, which leads to an increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in the blood. Thus, the test results would show high pH, high PaCO2, and high bicarbonate.

If psychoactive substance Y is used, it has the potential to change one's mind. Y is typically a volatile chemical that has odd side effects, such as excitement, disorientation, hallucinations, and delusions. One typical illustration of Y is paint thinner. Determine Y.

Answer: An inhalant

The description of psychoactive substance Y as a volatile chemical causing excitement, disorientation, hallucinations, and delusions, with paint thinner as an example, strongly points to an inhalant. Inhalants are common household products that produce mind-altering effects when sniffed or huffed, often causing immediate and dangerous neurological impacts due to their rapid absorption.

It has been recommended to Lacey by her doctor that she up her calcium intake. Which of these is a healthy food for her to eat?

Answer: Legumes and dark green vegetables

Legumes, such as beans and lentils, and dark green leafy vegetables, including spinach, kale, and collard greens, are excellent natural sources of dietary calcium. These foods provide essential minerals and vitamins, contributing significantly to bone health and overall calcium intake. Incorporating them into the diet is a healthy way to increase calcium consumption.

What distinguishing feature sets cytochromes apart?

Answer: The groupings of chemicals bound to the heme group

Cytochromes are proteins characterized by a heme prosthetic group, which is a porphyrin ring containing an iron atom. While all cytochromes share this basic structure, their distinguishing feature lies in the specific chemical groups (ligands) that bind to the heme iron and the surrounding protein environment. These variations determine the specific type of cytochrome (a, b, c) and its unique redox potential, crucial for its role in electron transport chains.

Which of the following is broken down into amino acids by hydrochloric acid and pepsin?

Answer: Proteins

In the stomach, hydrochloric acid denatures proteins, causing them to unfold. Pepsin, an enzyme activated by the acidic environment, then begins to break down these denatured proteins into smaller polypeptide chains. This initial enzymatic digestion is a critical step in the overall process of protein digestion, which ultimately yields individual amino acids for absorption.

Which class of analgesics is frequently available over-the-counter but has a higher risk of bleeding as a side effect?

Answer: NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are common over-the-counter analgesics. Their mechanism of action involves inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, which reduces the production of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. A significant side effect of NSAIDs is their anti-platelet effect, which can impair blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract.

A blood plasma hemoglobin level that is high suggests:

Answer: hemolytic anemia

A high level of free hemoglobin in the blood plasma indicates that red blood cells are being prematurely destroyed, releasing their intracellular contents into the bloodstream. This process is known as hemolysis. Hemolytic anemia is a condition characterized by an accelerated rate of red blood cell destruction, leading to elevated plasma hemoglobin and other markers of red blood cell breakdown.