Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Chemistry

Electron Transport Chain

Steps in the Electron Transport Chain

1. Electrons and protons carried by NADH + H⁺ are transferred to FMN, reducing it.
2. FMN is oxidized, transferring its electrons to Coenzyme Q (CoQ), which is reduced. This allows FMN to accept more electrons and continue the chain.
3. CoQ is oxidized and passes its electrons to the next acceptor, a cytochrome. Cytochromes are dehydrogenases.
4. Cytochromes transport protons into the mitochondrial matrix. The chain continues with the electrons.
5. Cytochromes are iron-sulfur molecules. The iron is oxidized (ferric) or reduced (ferrous) Fe. Each iron atom carries one electron, so the process occurs twice.
6. Cytochromes following CoQ in the chain are Cyt b, Cyt c, and Cyt a3.
7. Electrons reach the end of

metallic bond: the bond strength between metal atoms, which owe their stability and properties of metallic lattices. Covalent bonding is the joining of two atoms q comprten one or more pairs of electrons. The salt bridge is the union resulting from the presence of electrostatic forces between positive and negative ions lead to the formation of a compound substituted ionic x a crystal lattice. The covalency of elmento is the number of covalent bonds can form q, which q depends on the number of unpaired electrons. Binding parameters: the binding energy of a diatomic molecule is the enthalpy q occurs when one mole dissociates of molecules in a gas of atoms in the same state. Bond length is the distance between the nuclei of 2 atoms linked by a... Continue reading "Chemical Bond Definitions, Parameters, and Hybridization" »

Characteristics of Matter

Matter has mass; that is, when placed on a scale, it creates an imbalance. Matter is impenetrable, as two bodies cannot occupy the same space simultaneously. Matter occupies a space, meaning it has volume. The common component is called matter. Bodies are a limited portion of matter, distinguished by features such as color, texture, smell, etc. Each particular kind of matter is a substance, such as sulfur, cotton, or sugar.

Intensive Properties

Intensive properties do not depend on the amount or form of the substance. Examples include:

• Chemical composition
• Vapor pressure
• Density
• Effusion point
• Fragrance
• Taste

Extensive Properties

Extensive properties directly depend on the amount of substance. Examples include:

• Mass
• Volume
• Smell
• Surface
• Height
• Weight

States

Understanding Atomic Structure

Atomic Number

The atomic number (Z) is the number of protons in an atom. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons.

Mass Number

The mass number (A) of an atom is the total number of protons (Z) and neutrons (n) in the nucleus. Therefore, A = Z + n.

Atomic Mass

The atomic mass is the mass of a single atom. Because the masses of atoms are very small, they are typically expressed using atomic mass units (amu) rather than SI units.

Isotopes

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same atomic number but different mass numbers. Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Atomic Orbitals (Electron Shells)

Atomic orbitals, or electron... Continue reading "Understanding Atomic Structure: Number, Mass, Isotopes, and Ions" »

Volumetric Analysis: Titration Explained

Volumetric analysis, or titration, is a method used to determine the concentration of a solution, which can be an acid or a base, by reacting it with a solution of known concentration. To perform a titration, a burette is filled with the solution of known concentration (the titrant). A specific volume of the solution with the unknown concentration is placed in an Erlenmeyer flask, along with a few drops of an indicator. The stopcock of the burette is then opened to allow the titrant to be added gradually to the flask. The process continues until the indicator changes color, signaling the endpoint of the reaction.

Required Materials

• Pipette
• Dropper
• Erlenmeyer flask
• Beaker
• Funnel
• Burette
• Indicator (e.g., phenolphthalein)

Chemical Nomenclature Rules

This section outlines the basic rules for naming binary and ternary chemical compounds.

Binary Compounds

• Metal Oxides: Oxygen (O) typically has an oxidation state of -2. Formula: M_xO_y (M: metal).
  • Lower oxidation state suffix: -ous.
  • Higher oxidation state suffix: -ic.
• Non-metal Oxides: Oxygen (O) typically has an oxidation state of -2. Formula: NM_xO_y (NM: non-metal).
• Metal Hydrides: Hydrogen (H) has an oxidation state of -1. Formula: MH_x.
• Non-metal Hydrides: Hydrogen (H) has an oxidation state of +1. Formula: H_xNM.
  • Nomenclature term: hydrogen [non-metal root]-ide.
• Binary Acids (Hydrohalic Acids): Non-metal hydrides (often Group 16 or 17 elements) dissolved in water.
  • Nomenclature term: hydro-[non-metal root]-ic acid.
• Binary Salts:

Cytology Fixatives

Solution: Cytology fixatives, formerly employing ether/alcohol 96 in equal parts, are now rarely used due to the hazardous nature of ether. The 96% alcohol is most often used. The procedure involves immersing the preparation in the fixative bath for a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes. Other alcohols, such as 100% methanol, 80% propanol, and 80% isopropanol, can also be used. Citospray is used in samples obtained by forced exfoliation.

Sample Types in a Cytology Laboratory

Samples that can reach the lab from samples obtained by:

• Forced exfoliation: Rubbing or scraping with various instruments. This is applied to the skin and organs accessible from the outside.
• Spontaneous exfoliation: Samples containing spontaneously exfoliating

Stoichiometry: Quantitative Chemical Relationships

In chemistry, stoichiometry (from the Greek "στοιχεῖον" = stoicheion (element) and "μέτρον" = metron (measure)) is the calculation of the quantitative relationships between reactants and products during a chemical reaction. These relationships can be deduced from atomic theory, although historically they were formulated without direct reference to the composition of matter, based on various laws and principles.

Molarity (Molar Concentration)

Molarity (M), or molar concentration, is the number of moles of solute per liter of solution. For example, if 0.5 mole of solute is dissolved in 1000 mL of solution, the concentration of that solute is 0.5 M (0.5 molar).

Molality

Molality (m)

Carbohydrates: Structure and Function

Monosaccharides

These are simple carbohydrates, often referred to as simple sugars. They are called sugars due to their sweet taste and are carbohydrates because they contain hydrogen and oxygen in the same proportion as water. Their general formula is (CH₂O)_n, where 'n' represents the number of carbon atoms, typically ranging from 3 to 7.

Depending on whether the carbonyl group is an aldehyde or a ketone, monosaccharides are classified as aldoses or ketoses, respectively. Based on the number of carbon atoms, they are further classified as:

• Trioses (3 carbons)
• Tetroses (4 carbons)
• Pentoses (5 carbons)
• Hexoses (6 carbons)
• Heptoses (7 carbons)

Their main functions are energy storage and structural support. Regarding... Continue reading "Carbohydrates and Lipids: Fundamental Biomolecules" »

Understanding the Atom: Fundamental Building Blocks

The atom is the smallest indivisible particle from which all matter is built. While all atoms are fundamental, they differ according to the specific element they constitute. Despite their small size, atoms contain several internal parts and particles. Historically, various models, such as those proposed by Thomson and Rutherford, attempted to explain atomic structure. We will focus on the most current and widely accepted model, the Bohr model.

The Atomic Nucleus: Protons and Neutrons

The central part of the atom is the nucleus, which contains two primary types of particles:

• Neutrons: Particles with no electric charge (charge = 0).
• Protons: Particles with a positive electric charge (charge = +1)