Page 29 - Academic Press Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology 3rd InOrganic Chemistry

P1: ZBU Final Pages
Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology EN002F-55 May 22, 2001 21:6

Bioinorganic Chemistry

Brian T. Farrer
Vincent L. Pecoraro
University of Michigan

I. Inorganic Ion Uptake and Regulation
II. Inorganic Components of Enzymatic Systems
III. Biomineralization
IV. Medical Uses for Inorganic Compounds

GLOSSARY Prokaryotic Of or pertaining to a cellular organism, the
nucleus of which has no limiting membrane.
Active site The location in an enzyme that is responsible Reduction A chemical reaction in which there is a de-
for the binding and catalysis of the substrate. crease in formal charge on an atom. This decrease can
Cofactor A substance, as an inorganic ion, coenzyme, or be brought about by processes such as gain of electrons,
vitamin, that activates an enzyme. loss of an oxygen atom, etc.
Eukaryotic Of or pertaining to an organism that contains Reduction potential A quantitative value given to the
one or more cells with a distinct nucleus. ease of electron addition to a system. The reduction
Homeostasis A state of physiological equilibrium pro- potential E is related to the standard free energy G ◦
duced by a balance of functions and chemical compo- of a half-reaction (A → A + e ) by the Nernst equa-
+
−
sition within an organism. tion: G =−nFE, where n is the number of electrons
◦
Ligand A molecule or part of a molecule that bonds to a removed and F is Faraday’s constant.
metal to form a complex ion.
Oxidation A chemical reaction in which there is an in-
crease in formal charge on an atom. This increase can BIOINORGANIC CHEMISTRY is the field of chemistry
be brought about by processes such as loss of electrons, that is concerned with the role of inorganic elements in bi-
addition of an oxygen atom, etc. ological systems. In the 19th century, the term “organic”
Oxidation state A numerical value given to an atom that was given to the chemistry of life. For several years, the ba-
signifies the number of electrons removed from the sic elements of life seemed to be hydrogen, carbon, nitro-
proximity of its nucleus relative to the number of elec- gen, and oxygen, while the other elements seemed only to
trons present in its elemental form [e.g., iron has eight be abundant in nonliving things: ores, the atmosphere, etc.
valence electrons in its elemental form; since in FeCl 2 These other elements were termed “inorganic” or “without
the iron has only six electrons, the oxidation state is +2 life.” Within the past half century, it has become obvious
2+
and the iron is denoted Fe(II) or Fe ]. that some elements originally denoted “inorganic” play an

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