Biochemistry Chp. 1 Flashcards
Isotope
A form of an element that differs in its numbers of neutrons
Radioisotope
A radioactive isotope of an element
Orbital
A region of space that is occupied by electrons located around the nucleus of an atom
Valence electrons
An electron in the outermost energy level or shell of an atom
Ionic bond
A bond that results from the attraction between two oppositely charged atoms or molecules
Cation
An ion that has a positive charge
Anion
An ion that has a negative charge
Polar covalent bond
A bond between two atoms, made up of unequally shared electrons
Intermolecular force
The force of attraction between two molecules
Polarity
Partial positive or negative charge at the ends of a molecule
Van der Waals forces
Very weak attractions between two molecules, or parts of molecules, when they are close together
Hydrogen bond
The attractive force between a partially positively charged hydrogen atom and a partially negatively charged atom in another molecule
Dehydration reaction
A chemical reaction in which submits of a larger molecule are joined by the removal of water; also called a condensation reaction
Hydrolysis reaction
A chemical reaction in which water is used as a reactant to split a larger molecule into smaller subunits
Neutralization reaction
A reaction in which an acid and a base combine to create a salt and water
Redox reaction
An electron transfer reaction
Oxidation
A reaction in which a molecule loses electrons
Reduction
A reaction in which a molecule gains electrons
Specific heat
The amount of thermal energy required to raise the temperature of a given quantity of a substance by 1 degrees Celusis
Cohesion
Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with each other (stick together)
Surface tension
Measure of how difficult it is to stretch or break the surface of a liquid (water is pulled together creating the smallest surface area possible)
Adhesion
Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with other polar molecules
Buffer
A chemical that compensates for pH changes in a solution by accepting or donating H+ ions
Hydrophilic molecules
Polar or charged molecules that are strongly attracted to water
Hydrophobic molecules
Non-polar molecules that are not strongly attracted to water
Autoionization
The process in which a molecule spontaneously dissociates into ions
Strong acid
Completely dissociates into an aqueous solution, for example HCI
Strong base
Completely dissociates into an aqueous solution, for example NaOH
Weak acid
Only partially ionizes in water, for example acetic acid (1.3%)
Weak base
Only partially ionizes in water, for example ammonia (10%)
Neutralization reaction
When an acid and base react with one another to form neutral products, which are water and a salt