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Showing posts from November 19, 2009

Inorganic Chemistry

If it isn't carbon-based, it's probably covered here. Of course, inorganic reactions of carbon are described, too. You'll find lecture and lab notes, molecular structures, journals, and study guides. Types of Inorganic Chemical Reactions Elements and compounds react with each other in numerous ways. Memorizing every type of reaction would be challenging and also unncecessary, since nearly every inorganic chemical reaction falls into one or more of four broad categories. Combination Reactions Two or more reactants form one product in a combination reaction. An example of a combination reaction is the formation of sulfur dioxide when sulfur is burned in air: S (s) + O2 (g) --> SO2 (g) Decomposition Reactions In a decomposition reaction, a compound breaks down into two or more substances. Decomposition usually results from electrolysis or heating. An example of a decomposition reaction is the breakdown of mercury (II) oxide into its component elements. 2HgO (s) + heat --...

Citric Acid Cycle

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Citric Acid Cycle - Overview of the Citric Acid Cycle The Citric Acid Cycle is also known as the Krebs Cycle or Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) Cycle. It is a series of chemical reactions that takes place in the cell that breaks down food molecules into carbon dioxide, water, and energy. Narayanese, wikipedia.org The citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle or tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, is a series of chemical reactions in the cell that breaks down food molecules into carbon dioxide, water, and energy. In plants and animals, these reactions take place in the mitochondria of the cell as part of cellular respiration. Many bacteria perform the citric acid cycle too, though they do not have mitochondria so the reactions take place in the cytoplasm of bacterial cells. Sir Hans Adolf Krebs, a British biochemist, is credited with discovering the cycle. Sir Krebs outlined the steps of the cycle in 1937. The overall reaction for the citric acid cycle is: Acetyl-CoA + 3 NAD+ + Q + GDP + P...