Question

short answer essay

1. why is a study of basic chemistry essential to understanding human physiology?
2. matter occupies space and has mass. explain how energy must be described in terms of these two factors. then define energy.
3. explain the relationship between kinetic and potential energy.
4. identify the energy form in use in each of the following examples:

a. chewing food
b. vision (two types, please—think!)
c. bending the fingers to make a fist
d. breaking the bonds of atp molecules to energize your muscle cells to make that fist

1. according to greek history, a greek scientist went running through the streets announcing that he had transformed lead into gold. both lead and gold are elements. on the basis of what you know about the nature of elements, explain why his rejoicing was short - lived.
2. name and provide the atomic symbols of the four elements that make up the bulk of all living matter. which of these is found primarily in proteins and nucleic acids?

Explanation:

1. Basic chemistry is essential for understanding human physiology because chemical reactions underlie all physiological processes. For example, enzyme - catalyzed reactions in metabolism are chemical in nature.
2. Energy is not matter (it doesn't have mass or occupy space directly), but it can cause matter to move or change. Energy is the capacity to do work.
3. Kinetic energy is energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy. Potential energy can be converted to kinetic energy and vice - versa. For example, a ball at the top of a hill has potential energy which becomes kinetic energy as it rolls down.

14.
a. Chewing food uses mechanical energy.
b. Vision involves light energy (photons) and chemical energy (in the photoreceptor cells).
c. Bending fingers to make a fist uses mechanical energy.
d. Breaking ATP bonds releases chemical energy.

1. Elements are defined by the number of protons in their nucleus. Transforming lead into gold would require changing the number of protons, which is not possible through normal chemical reactions. Only through nuclear reactions can the number of protons change, and such processes are extremely difficult to control.
2. The four elements that make up the bulk of all living matter are carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N). Nitrogen is found primarily in proteins and nucleic acids.

Answer:

1. Chemical reactions underlie physiological processes.
2. Energy causes matter to move/change; capacity to do work.
3. Kinetic is energy of motion, potential is stored; can convert between them.

14.
a. Mechanical energy
b. Light and chemical energy
c. Mechanical energy
d. Chemical energy

1. Changing element requires changing proton number, not possible by normal chemical reactions.
2. Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N); Nitrogen.