Author Archives: dave

Ploidy – Variation of Chromosome Numbers

Ploidy refers to the number of complete sets of chromosomes in a cell. You’ll probably have heard of haploid (n, gametic cells) and diploid (2n, somatic cells) cells in the human body so this is just delving a little deeper. … Continue reading

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Acids and Bases – pKa, Equilibrium Constant and logs

The best place to start is at acids – and as we know acids can give up a proton to become deprotonated. The acid will dissociate into a proton (H+) and cunjugate base (A-). Note that this is in equilibrium … Continue reading

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Glycolysis

Glucose is a highly adaptable metabolite found in many organisms, offering a free energy of -2830kJ mol when fully metabolised. This energy is released in small portions via ATP, the body’s universal energy currency. A molecule of ATP holds approx … Continue reading

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The Kidneys and the Ionic Composition of the Extracellular Fluids

The regulation of homeostasis within the body involves the renal system – which comprises of 2 kidneys connected to a urinary bladder by independant ureters. From the bladder, urine passes out of the body via the Urethra. The urine from … Continue reading

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Rates of Reactions, Chemical Kinetics & Orders

NOTE: Formatting needed– One of the most important things to note with chemical reactions is that the molar concentrations of the substrates are often proportional to the rate of the reaction. So if we take the simplest rate constant for … Continue reading

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Preparation & Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones, RHO & ROR'

A couple of key points: Aldehydes and Ketones both contain a carbonyl group, but are also less reactive than acid chlorides. They do NOT react with organocopper reagents and weak hydride donors (as these weak reagents are involved in their … Continue reading

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DNA Mutations and Genetic Diseases

As mentioned, chromosomes select characteristics such as sex (Men have different copies of the sex chromosome, X and Y wheras females have two X chromosomes) but also cause diseases through chromosomal abnormalities: Downs Syndrome – Caused by 3 copies of … Continue reading

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5- Classification & Taxonomy

The Five Kingdoms There are 5 kingdoms in the classification system. Organisms are classified according to their evolutionary relationships (their phylogeny). Phylogeny is the study of the evolutionary history of organisms, and gives us an insight as to how to … Continue reading

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The Chemistry of Acid Chlorides, ROCl

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The Carbonyl, >C=O

One of the most important functional groups is the Carbonyl group. A couple of points about the carbonyl group: It is Planar (flat). Bond angles are 120 degrees. The Carbon = Oxygen double bond is the result of overlapping Pi … Continue reading

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