Biochemistry definitions Flashcards
Chemistry
- the study of matter
- it’s chemical + physical properties
- chemical + physical changes it undergoes
Matter
anything that has mass + occupies space
Pure substance
only one component
Mixture
combination of two or more pure substances, each substance retains its own identity, not undergoing a chemical reaction
Element
- pure substance
- cannot be changed into simpler form of matter by any chemical reaction
Compound
pure substance from a combination of two or more elements in a definite, reproducable way
fixed ratio
Atom
smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties
Nucleus
- small, dense, positively charged region in centre of atom
- contais protons + neutrons
- electrons surround outside
Atomic number
number of protons in atom
Atomic mass
sum of protons + neutrons
Isotopes
- atoms of same element having different masses
- same number protons
- different number neutrons
- different chemical properties
Atomic orbitals
- regions in space with a high probability of finding an electron
- electrons do not move in orbits
Chemical bonding
- force of attraction between any two atoms in a compound
- attractive force overcomes the repulsion of positively charged nuclei of the two atoms participating in bond
- interactions involving valence electrons are responsible for chemical bond
Covalent bond
attractive force due to sharing of electrons between atoms
Ionic bond
attractive force due to the transfer of one or more electrons from one atom to another
Linear molecule
- 180 bond angle
- all electrons around central atom
- far as possible
- minimise electron repulsion