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Basic Chemistry Flashcards

1
Q

Atom

A

The fundamental chemical unit.

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2
Q

Proton

A

Positively charged particle within the nucleus of an atom.

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3
Q

Neutron

A

Electrically neutral particle within the nucleus of an atom.

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4
Q

Electron

A

Negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

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5
Q

What is an electrically neutral atom?

A

An atom that has the same number of protons and electrons.

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6
Q

Element

A

A substance that cannot be separated into two simpler substances.

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7
Q

True or False: An element can be broken into simpler substances by naturally occurring processes.

A

False.

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8
Q

Atomic Number

A

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom that defines the element.

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9
Q

Isotope

A

A variant of the same element, having the same number of protons but varying in the number of neutrons.

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10
Q

Mass Number

A

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

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11
Q

Radioactive Isotope

A

An atom with an unstable nucleus that breaks down and emits radiation.

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12
Q

Radioactive Decay

A

The breakdown of the nucleus of an unstable atom, resulting in the emission of radiation.

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13
Q

Half-life

A

The time it takes for the parent isotope to decrease by one half.

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14
Q

Orbital

A

A specific region within which an electron rotates around the nucleus of an atom. Each orbital has a specific shape and can hold two or more electrons.

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15
Q

Electron Shells

A

Levels of orbitals within which electrons rotate around the nucleus of an atom.

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16
Q

True or False: Electron shells are defined based on their distance from the nucleus and are numbered starting with the farthest shell from the nucleus.

A

False. They are numbered starting with the closest shell to the nucleus.

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17
Q

What is the progression of the number of electrons that an electron shell can hold, starting with the first shell?

A

2, 8, 18, 32, 50.

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18
Q

Valence Shell

A

The outermost electron shell of an atom.

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19
Q

When is an atom the most stable?

A

When the valence shell is full.

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20
Q

What are the six noble gasses?

A

Helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon.

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21
Q

Covalent Bond

A

The force holding atoms together that results when atoms share electrons.

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22
Q

Molecule

A

A substance made up of atoms held together by one or more covalent bonds.

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23
Q

True or False: Covalent bonds are the strongest bonds of the three types of chemical bonds.

A

True.

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24
Q

Ion

A

An atom or molecule that has acquired an electrical charge by either gaining or losing one or more electrons.

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25
Cation
An atom or molecule that has lost electrons and thus gained a positive charge.
26
Anion
An atom or molecule that has gained electrons and thus has a negative charge.
27
Ionic Bond
A bond between an atom or molecule with a negative charge and one with a positive charge.
28
Metallic Elements
Elements that tend to lose electrons.
29
Nonmetallic Elements
Elements that tend to gain electrons.
30
Polar Bond
An unequal covalent bond; a bond in which the sharing of electrons is unequal.
31
Polar Molecule
A molecule formed with a polar bond, in which different parts of the same molecule have a different charge.
32
Hydrogen Bond
A weak bond formed by the attraction between a slightly positively charged hydrogen atom and a slightly negatively charged oxygen atom, as between H2O molecules.
33
List the three chemical bonds by strength levels from from strongest to weakest.
Covalent bonds, ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds.
34
Inorganic Chemicals
Chemicals that do not contain the element carbon.
35
Organic Chemicals
Chemicals that contain the element carbon.
36
What element can be found in all organic chemicals?
Carbon.
37
What are the six elements that make up approximately 98% of the body weight of most living organisms?
Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur.
38
What are the four major elements of living systems?
Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen.
39
Compound
The union of two or more elements.
40
What are the four major compounds of living systems?
Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), and lipids.
41
What are the four major classes of biological chemicals?
Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids (DNA, RNA), and lipids.
42
What are the three monosaccharides?
Glucose, fructose, and galactose.
43
What are the three disaccharides?
Sucrose (glucose and fructose), lactose (glucose and galactose), and maltose (two glucose molecules).
44
What are the three major polysaccharides?
Starches, cellulose, and glycogen.
45
Peptide Bonds
Occur when two amino acid molecules join and a molecule of water is released.
46
Peptide
A protein chain containing less than 10 amino acids.
47
Polypeptide
A protein chain containing more than 10 amino acids.
48
What are the four levels of protein structure?
Primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.
49
What is the primary level of a protein structure?
The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide.
50
What is the secondary level of a protein structure?
Formation of alpha helices and beta-pleated sheets in a polypeptide.
51
What is the tertiary level of a protein structure?
Overall three-dimensional shape of a polypeptide (includes contribution from secondary structures).
52
What is the quaternary level of a protein structure?
Shape produced by combinations of polypeptides (thus, combinations of tertiary structures).
53
Denaturation
The loss of a protein's three-dimensional shape.
54
Enzyme
A protein that speeds up a chemical reaction.
55
Substrate
The substance an enzyme works on.
56
Enzyme-Substrate Complex
An enzyme and the substrate it is bound to and working on.
57
Cofactor
A non-protein substance that aids in the conversion of substrate to end product.
58
Coenzyme
An organic cofactor; like a vitamin.
59
Dioxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
The nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions for life.
60
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
A chemical similar to DNA that plays a major role in protein synthesis, serving as a template for protein synthesis.
61
Nucleotide
A five-carbon sugar molecule that is bound to a nitrogen base and a phosphate group that serves as the fundamental building block of nucleic acids.
62
What are the five nitrogen bases?
Adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine (found in DNA only), and uracil (found in RNA only).
63
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
The principal source of energy for most of the energy-using activities of the cells.
64
Lipids
Chemicals that do not dissolve in water.
65
Triglycerides
Lipids that have one molecule of glycerol and three fatty acid molecules that are a rich source of energy for the body.
66
Saturated Fatty Acid
A class of triglycerides that have a single bond between carbon atoms, leaving room for two hydrogen atoms.
67
Unsaturated Fatty Acid
A class of triglycerides that have a double bond between carbon atoms, leaving room for only one hydrogen atom.
68
Phsopholipids
Lipids that form the membrane that surrounds cells.
69
Steroids
A four-carbon cholesterol unit which is a component of plasma membranes and the base for synthesis of most of the steroid class of hormones (estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, and aldosterone).
70
Anabolism
The synthesis of steroid compounds by the body.
71
Disassociation Reaction
Any reaction in which a compound or molecule breaks apart into separate compounds.
72
Acids
Substances that give up protons during a chemical reaction.
73
Bases
Substances that acquire protons during a chemical reaction.
74
Acid-Base Reaction
Any chemical reaction that results in the transfer of protons.
75
Molarity
The number of moles of solute per liter of solution.
76
Mole
A measure of mass or weight (molecular weight).
77
Logarithm
A base number that is raised to a certain power.
78
pH Scale
The abbreviation for potential of hydrogen; a measure of relative acidity or alkalinity; the lower the pH, the higher the acidity, and the higher the pH, the greater the alkalinity.
79
Buffer
A substance dissolved in water that counteracts charges in the pH.
80
Acidosis
An excess of acids in the body.
81
Alkalosis
An excess of bases in the body.
82
Respiratory Acid-Base Disorders
Result from an inequality in carbon dioxide generation in the peripheral tissues and carbon dioxide elimination in the respiratory system.
83
Metabolic Acid-Base Disorders
Result from the production of either organic or fixed acids or by conditions that affect the levels of bicarbonate in the ECF.
84
Respiratory Acidosis
Occurs when the respiratory system cannot effectively eliminate all the carbon dioxide generated through metabolic activities in the peripheral tissues.
85
Hypercapnia
An elevation in the plasma CO2 levels.
86
Respiratory Alkalosis
Occurs when the respiratory system eliminates too much carbon dioxide through hyperventilation.
87
Hypocapnia
A decrease in the plasma CO2 levels.
88
Metabolic Acidosis
A deficiency of bicarbonates (HCO3-) in the body. Usually resulting from anaerobic metabolism, or lactic acid build-up.
89
Metabolic Alkalosis
Relatively uncommon; due to an increase in HCO3- levels or a decrease in circulating acids.

EMS 204 (8 decks)

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