Glossary of terms used in Chemistry 2211a

Rev r16-abC – will be updated as new terms are introduced into the course.

Absorption. The process by which nutrients are absorbed through the digestive tract into the bloodstream and made available to the body. Problems in absorption can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Acetic acid. A week organic acid created by a bacterial fermentation of alcohol by Acetobacter spp. Vinegar is normally a 4 to 5 percent solution of acetic acid in water.

Acid. Acids have low ph, below 7, taste sour and are often corrosive. They can be either organic (acetic acid, malic acid, lactic acid) or inorganic (nitric, phosphoric, hydrochloric, sulfuric acid) compounds.

Allergen. A substance that induces an allergic response. Common allergens include dust, ragweed and grasses.

Allergic reaction. A response by the body’s immune system to an allergen. Allergic reactions can range from itchiness and rash to breathing difficulties.

Amino acid. The building blocks of protein, amino acids are nitrogen containing organic acids. There are 22 amino acids, 8 of which are essential to the human body (leucine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine). (See the biology unit.)

Antacid. A substance that counters excess acid in the esophagus, and stomach.

Antibiotic. Substances that destroy or inhibit the growth of micro-organisms, like bacteria and/or fungi.

Anti-oxidant. A substance which can prevent destructive oxidation reactions. Common anti-oxidants include vitamin C and E, the mineral selenium, and the enzyme coenzyme Q10. Many coloured foods are considered to contain useful dietary antioxidants, for example, broccoli, red wine, etc.

Arteriosclerosis. A disease of the circulatory system that is characterized by a thickening and stiffening of the walls of arteries, which can slowdown or impede blood circulation.

Artery. A blood vessel which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Ascorbic acid. An organic acid commonly known as vitamin C. Commonly consumed in fruits. The value of supplementary Vitamin C is controversial following Linus Pauling’s promotion as an anti-cancer agent, and also anti-cold agent.

Atherosclerosis. A form of arteriosclerosis, which is caused by the fatty deposits in the inner linings of the arteries.

Avogadro’s number (N_A). Defines the number of entities in a mole, = 6.022 x 10²³. Mole Day is October 23^rd.

Bacteria. Single-celled micro-organisms that are found in all areas on earth, and exist in the human body. The majority of bacteria are friendly bacteria, which are present to help protect the body from harmful pathogenic bacteria. It also acts as an aid to digestion. Examples of friendly bacteria include Lactobacillus spp. And Bifidus spp.

Capillaries. The smallest of the blood vessels which allow the exchange of nutrients and waste byproducts of metabolism between the circulatory system and the body’s tissue.

Carbohydrate. Organic substances composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and serve as the major source of energy in the diet. Carbohydrates include starches, cellulose and sugars.

Cell. The building blocks of tissue; cells are composed of a nucleus, cytoplasm, and a cell membrane. All living tissues are composed of cells.

Cellulose. Cellulose is an indigestible carbohydrate in humans and forms building blocks for fibre. Cellulose is found in the protective outer layers of fruits and vegetables.

Chelation. A chemical process by which a mineral is surrounded by several other molecules, such as amino acid to form a ball. Chelation of a mineral improves the body’s absorption of the mineral.

Chlorophyll. A group of pigments found in plants, which give plants their green colour. The key to chlorophyll’s action is the presence of a magnesium containing porphyrin ring (a chlorin ring).

Cholesterol. A substance produced in all mammals to help carry and absorb fats throughout the body. Cholesterol is also the base molecule for the production of many hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. Too much cholesterol can be harmful to health.

Co-enzyme. A molecule that helps an enzyme perform its function in the body. Co-enzymes are necessary in the proper utilization of vitamins and minerals.

Complex carbohydrate. A carbohydrate such as starch which is made up of smaller sugar molecules, and will slowly release the sugar molecules into the body. Complex carbohydrates are also a fibre source.

DNA. Also known as deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA is the building block of the body’s genes. The DNA is the blue print which allows the body to determine how a cell will develop and form tissue and organs.

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. ESI-MS, a form of mass spectrometry where the sample is infused into a vacuum space as a fine spray or mist of highly charged ionic molecules. Generally used for large molecules that will not vapourize.

Elemental. Refers to one of the approximately 108 elements that make up all matter. For example, ferrous chloride is made up of two elements, iron (ferrous) and chlorine (chloride).

Enzyme. Proteins that are essential in initiating or speeding up chemical reactions in the body and are not used up during the reaction.

Fat-soluble. A substance that has the same chemical properties as fats, and will mix with fats.

Fatty acid. A building block of fats and oil.

Fibre. Parts of plant matter that cannot be digested, and contribute to the bulk portion of a healthy diet.

Free radical. A highly chemically reactive molecule that has unpaired electrons. These compounds are formed constantly in the body and can be destructive as they will join readily with other substances creating disturbances in metabolism.

Free radical scavenger. A substance that can neutralize free radicals. (See anti-oxidant)

Fungus. A group of micro-organisms that include yeasts, molds and mushrooms. Some fungi, such as Candida albicans, are capable of causing disease.

Glucose. A simple sugar that is the principal source of energy for the body’s cells.

Gluten. A protein found in many grains, including wheat, rye, barley, and oats.

Heavy metal. Metallic elements such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury which are extremely toxic. The term “heavy metal” is really not correct, ‘toxic metal’ is fine though. Works ok for a rock group but doesn’t allow for light, toxic metals.

Hemoglobin. A protein that binds dioxygen – composed of four individual proteins wrapped together in a quaternary structure. Transports oxygen in the arteries. Returns in the veins with CO₂. Has brilliant binding and release properties.

Insulin. Ahormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the metabolism of glucose (sugar) in the body.

I.u. (International Unit). Standardized unit of measure of vitamin activity accepted world wide. To determine the mg

Equivalents use the following.

1000 i.u. Of Vitamin A = 0.6 mg

1000 i.u. Of Vitamin D3 = 0.025mg

L000i.u. Of Vitamin E:

As d-alpha tocopherol = 671 mg

As d-alpha tocopheryl acetate 735 mg

As d-alpha tocopheryl acid succinate 826 mg as d-beta tocopherol = 1333 mg

As d-gamma tocopherol = 6667 mg

As d-delta tocopherol = 20,000 mg

Jablonski diagram. Accounts for the absorption and emission of light by molecules.

Lactase. An enzyme that converts the milk sugar lactose into glucose and galactose. Lactose intolerant people lack or have a deficiency of lactase.

Lecithin. A mixture of phospholipids found in all living cell membranes. It is composed of fatty acids, glycerol, phosphorus, choline and inositol.

Lewis acid. An atom or molecule that accepts electrons.

Lewis base. An atom or molecule that donates electrons.

Ligand. –to come

Lipid. Another name for fats, oils. Lipids are nutritionally important for cellular processes.

Lipoprotein. A substance that combines proteins and lipids. Lipoproteins help transport the lipids through the lymph and blood systems.

Metabolism. The chemical processes that take place in the cells of living tissue. Metabolism involves two processes, catabolism and anabolism. They involve the break down of complex substances to simple compounds, and the building up of complex substances from simple compounds.

Microgram. Mass equivalent to 1/1,000,000 of a gram or 1/1,000 of a milligram. Designated as mg, that is 10^-6 g or 10^-9 kg (approx. Mass of 1 L H₂O).

Milligram. A measurement of weight equivalent to 1/1,000 of a gram. It is usually designated as “mg’.

Mineral. An inorganic substance required by the body in small quantities.

Myoglobin. An oxygen storage protein in muscles. Accepts dioxygen from hemoglobin. Gives the brown colour to muscle – think turkey leg.

Nutraceutical. A food or food based product or supplement that has a specific clinical and/ortherapeutic purpose.

Nutrient. A substance that is needed by the body to maintain life and health.

Organic. A compound composed of C, H, and then O, N, and other elements.

Osteoporosis. A disorder that causes minerals to leach out of the bones causing them to become more porous and brittle.

Oxidation. A chemical reaction in which oxygen reacts with another substance, resulting in a chemical transformation. Many oxidation reactions result in some type of deterioration or spoilage.

pH. Hydrogen ion concentration. A scale used to measure the relative acidity or alkalinity of substances. The scale runs from 0 to 14. A ph of 7 is considered neutral; numbers below 7 denote increasing acidity and numbers above 7 denote increasing alkalinity. Calculated from –log[H⁺].

pK. A scale used to denote the value of very small values of equilibrium constants (a, for acid, D, for dissociation, F, for formation, etc.) K in a simpler form, = -log(K), where K often is less than 10^-1 (=1) and may be as small as 10^-30 (=30)

Plank’s constant (h). Needed to solve the energy equivalent of light: DE = hu. u is the frequency of light - = c/ l, where c = velocity of light in a vacuum = approx 2.997 x 10⁸ ms^-1; h = 6.626 x 10^-34 Js (per photon – we usually have more than 1 photon).

Protein. Complex compounds composed of amino acids which are constituents of all cells in the body. Proteins also form hormones and enzymes, and are created from the DNA blueprint. Proteins can come from plants or animals.

Quantum numbers. Describe all the electronic structure of an atom, n – principal, l – orbital, m_l – magnetic. Plus s – ½ - usually shown as m_s = +1/2 or -1/2 (spin up or down). These 4 quantum numbers define the orbital and spin state of every electron. We name the orbitals, s ,p, d, f, etc. Based on the value of l = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. So, the last electron on Na is defined with n=4, l = 0, m_l=0_, and m_s = + ½ or – ½ .

RNA. Ribonucleic acid. A complex protein found in plant and animal cells that work with DNA to form protein molecules, the basis of all living cells.

Saturated fat. A fat, such as animal fat, or coconut or palm oil, that is characterized as being solid at room temperature.

Saturation. Saturation refers to the chemical structure of the fatty acid molecules. Specifically to the amount of double bonds present. The lower the number of double bonds the more saturated the fat. Saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature.

Serotonin. A neurotransmitter found principally in the brain that is considered essential for relaxation, sleep, and concentration.

Spectroscopy. Many types, we are interested in electronic absorption and emission (fluorescence and phosphorescence) for the colours of molecules (think chlorophyll and hemoglobin). Useful in detectors in HPLC techniques. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for metal analysis. Origin – see the Jablonski Diagram.

Trans fat. A chemically transformed fat – usually hydrogenated.

Unsaturated fat. Unsaturated fats chemically

Double bonds. Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature Unsaturated fats come from vegetable sources and are good sources of essential fatty acids. Examples include flaxseed oil sunflower oil, safflower oil and primrose oil.

Vein. One of the blood vessels that returns the blood from the body tissues to the heart.

Vitamin. One of approximately 15 organic substances that ar essential in small quantities to maintain life and health. Most vitamin cannot be manufactured by the body, and need to be supplied in th diet. We are particularly interested in Vitamin B12 – cobalamin because it contains cobalt.

Yeast. A type of single-celled fungus. Certain types of yeast can cause infection, most commonly in the mouth, vagina and gastrointestinal tract.