CHEMISTRY GLOSSARY

enzyme    →   enzim

Enzyme is a protein that acts as a catalyst in biochemical reactions. Each enzyme is specific to a particular reaction or a group of similar reactions. Many require the association of certain nonprotein cofactors in order to function. The molecule undergoing a reaction (the substrate) binds to a specific active site on the enzyme molecule to form a short-lived intermediate: this greatly increases (by a factor of up to 10²⁰) the rate at which the reaction proceeds to form the product.

ester    →   ester

Esters are organic compounds formed by a reaction between alcohol and acids. Esters formed from carboxylic acids have the general formula RCOOR’. Triesters, molecules containing three ester groups, occur in nature as oils and fats.

racemisation    →   racemizacija

Racemisation is a conversion, by heat or by chemical reaction, of an optically active compound into an optically inactive form which half of the optically active substance becomes its miror image (enantiomer).

radical    →   radikal

Radical is a reaction intermediate where a bond is broken and the two parts of the molecule exist carrying a single unshared electron. The radicals are normally destroyed quickly by recombination or they break into another radical and a stable molecule.

reactant    →   reaktant

Reactants are initial materials in a chemical reaction.

explosive    →   eksploziv

Explosive is a compound or mixture that, when ignited or detonated, undergoes rapid violent chemical reaction that produces large amount of gas and heat, accompanied by light, sound and a high pressure shock wave.

Faraday’s laws of electrolysis    →   Faradayevi zakoni elektrolize

Faraday’s laws of electrolysis are two laws found by British chemist and physicist Michael Faraday (1791-1867) in his experiments on electrolysis:

1. The quantity of matter extracted on the electrode is proportional to the quantity of charge (Q = I·t) which has flown in electrolysis time.

where z = number of electrons changed in reaction and F = Faraday’s constant which equals 96 487 C mol^-1.

2. The masses of the elements liberated by the same quantity of electricity are directly proportional to their chemical equivalents.

96 487 C will discharge 1 mol Ag and 1/2 mol Cu. The relevant half reactions are:

reactivity series    →   reaktivni niz

Reactivity series or activity series is a series of elements (usually metals) ranked by their reactivity degree, made for comparison of reactions of elements with other substances, e.g. acids and oxygen.

reagent    →   reagens

Reagents are any substance used in a chemical reaction to detect, measure, examine, or produce other substances.

redox    →   redoks

Redox is a short form of the term for oxidation-reduction.