1.1 - The Fundamental Chemistry of Life Flashcards
What is the compsition living things?
96%: Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
Approximately 4%: Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, Sodium, Chlorine, Magnesium
<0.1% (Trace Elements): Iodine, Iron
What are atoms composed of? What are their charge
Atoms are composed of: Protons
(+), Electrons (-) and Neutrons (0)
What does the number of protons determine?
Determines the type of element
Why are atoms neutral?
They have the same number of Protons as Electrons
What is atomic mass?
Atomic Mass: The weight of Protons + Neutrons
What are isotopes?
A form of an element that has the same # of protons but different # of neutrons
What are radioisotopes?
Unstable Isotope that decays giving off radiation
What can radioisotopes do?
Transforms into an atom of another element
What is radiactive decay? Why do we use it?
Occurs at a steady and measurable rate. Can be used to determine the age of rocks and fossils
What are radioactive tracers?
Radioisotopes can be used to trace the path of atoms throughout the body.
What are Ionic Bonds?
Bond that forms between two oppositely charged atoms/molecules
Positive Cation and Negative Anion
What are Covalent Bonds?
When atoms share valence electrons
What is electronegativity?
The measure of an atom’s attraction to shared electrons
What is a polar covalent bond?
An unequal sharing of electrons
What molecules are water soluble? Which are not?
Polar Molecules are generally water soluble
Non-polar Molecules are generally not water soluble
What kind of attraction happens with high electronegativity? Low electronegativity?
HIGH Electronegativity = strong attraction of e-
LOW Electronegativity = weak attraction of e-
What is hydrogen bonding?
Attractive force between slightly positive hydrogen atoms and a slightly negative atom in another molecule
What is dipolo-dipole bonding?
Attractive force between slightly positive atoms (not hydrogen) and a slightly negative atom in another molecule
What is Van Der Waal Forces?
Very weak attractions between two molecules, or parts of molecules when they are close together
What is a dehydration reaction?
Involves the joining of two molecules through the removal of water
One molecule loses a Hydrogen atom while the other loses an –OH group
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
Involves splitting a larger molecule apart by adding a water molecule
Adds an –OH group to one molecule and a Hydrogen atom to the other
What is neutralization reaction?
A reaction in which an acid and a base combine to create a salt and water
What is redox reaction?
An electron transfer reaction
What is reduction? Oxidation?
Reduction – gaining of electrons
Oxidation – loss of electrons
