Biochemistry Part I Flashcards
Define
Matter
Any substance that occupies space and has mass
Define
Elements
A form of matter with specific chemical and physical properties
How many elements are there?
98 naturally occurring
118 known / stable
List
Most common elements in the body (6)
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Phosphorus*
Sulfur*
List
Subatomic particles
Proton
Neutron
Electron
Properties of
Protons
Positive
Mass = 1 amu
In nucleus
Properties of
Neutrons
Neutral
Mass = 1 amu
In nucleus
Properties of
Electrons
Negative
Negligible mass
Surrounding nucleus
Adding or removing protons changes…
the element and the atomic number
Adding or removing neutrons changes…
mass of an atom;
creates different isotopes (forms) of an element
Adding or removing electrons changes…
the charge of the atom
Define
Atomic mass
Average mass of one mole of an element, which takes isotopes (which have different mass numbers) into account
FYI: You will NOT need to memorize atomic mass v. mass number
Define
Isotope
Different forms of an element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons
Define
Electron orbital
“Shells” around a nucleus where electrons are likely to be found
2 in first
8 in second and third
Define
Valence shell
Outermost electron orbital in an atom
Define
Molecule
Chemical joining of two or more atoms
Define
Covalent bond
Sharing of electrons between atomic nuclei
Define
Polar covalent
A covalent bond where electrons are more likely to be found around one atom (which is more electronegative)
Define
Nonpolar covalent
A covalent bond where electrons are equally shared
What leads to the formation of an cation?
Cation (cat-eye-on) = positive ion
Occurs when an atom loses electrons
Most common in first two groups (columns) of periodic table
What leads to the formation of an anion?
Anion = Negative ion
Occurs when atoms take electrons to become stable
Why is water polar
Oxygen is electronegative, leading to the formation of polar covalent bonds between oxygen and two hydrogens. The bent shape means more electrons (negative) are at the oxygen end
Define
Polarity
Unequal distribution of charge in a molecule
Define
Polar molecules
Molecules with partial positive and negative regions Ex: Water
Define
Nonpolar molecules
Molecules with no partial positive and negative regions
Ex: Hydrocarbons