Biology basics Flashcards
How many lone electron pairs does a water molecule have?
Two
What kind of shape does a water molecule have?
Tetrahedron - because of the two lone electron pairs and the two covalent bonds with the hydrogen atoms. Both the electron pairs and the bonds repel each other, however the bonded electrons are less repellent and stay at the same “end” of the molecule together.
True or false: Water is not a particularly good solvent
False - water acts as a solvent in many biological processes
Which feature of water molecules makes it a good solvent?
Their polarity
What does the suffix -ide usually indicate?
The monoatomic anion of an element
An the molecular formula of an ionic bond, what is the order of the ions?
The cation is first, then the anion.
Are hydrocarbons hydrophobic or hydrophilic?
Hydrophobic - they are non-polar
What does -ane indicate in chemisty?
A saturated hydrocarbon
What is hexane?
A six-carbon saturated hydrocarbon
What is this molecule called?

Hexane - hex means 6, -ane means a saturated hydrocarbon. So this is a saturated hydrocarbon with six carbons.
Define aqueous solution?
A solution in which water is the solvent.
Define a solution
A mixture of solute and solvent
What is a solvent?
A substance that can dissolve other compounds and molecules.
The process in which molecules or ionic compounds separate or split into smaller particles such as atoms, ions, or radicals, usually in a reversible manner.
Dissociation
Define dissociation
The process in which molecules or ionic compounds separate into smaller components like ions or atoms, usually in a reversible way
True or false - when sodium chloride is placed in water, it dissociates into sodium and chlorine atoms.
False - it dissociates into sodium and chloride ions. The charges of each ion attract different ends of the water molecules which create hydration shells around each ion.
What is the relationship between temperature and solubility for water, and what is the exception?
Usually, the higher the temperature, the higher the solubility. The higher temperature increases kinetic energy so the solvent molecules can more effectively break apart the solute molecules that are held together by intermolecular attractions. Unless the solute is a gas.
What is this called and why is it happening?

Concave meniscus - occurs when the water molecules in a container are more attracted to the molecules of the container than to each other.
Define capillary action
The ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of, or even in opposition to, external forces like gravity. It occurs because of intermolecular forces between the liquid and surrounding solid surfaces.
What is the name of the process by which water is absorbed into a paper towel?
Capillary action
What is cohesion?
Cohesion refers to the attraction of molecules for other molecules of the same kind
What do we call the attraction of molecules to other molecules of their same kind?
Cohesion
Define adhesion
The attraction of molecules of one kind to molecules of a different kind
What do we call the attraction of molecules of one kind to molecules of a different kind?
Adhesion








