Biology Chapter 2 Flashcards
Element
A material that is matter, that is made up of only one type of atom (it cannot be broken down into any other type of atom.)
Atom
Atoms are the smallest unit of matter that still retains the property of that element.
pH
H stand for Hydrogen (don’t need this for the test)
The pH scale utilized in measuring the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution. The scale, ranging from 0-14, quantifies the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. The lower the pH number, the more acid the solution; the higher the number, the more basic the solution.
Atomic Weight
The average mass of atoms of an element, calculated using the relative abundance of isotopes in a naturally-occurring element. It is the weighted average of the masses of naturally-occurring isotopes.
Also Known As: Atomic Mass
Examples: The atomic mass of carbon is 12.011; the atomic mass of hydrogen is 1.0079
Atomic Number
The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. Gold has 79 protons in its nucleus and thus the atomic number is 79. All elements are ordered on the periodic table according to atomic number.
Molecule
An entity consisting of defined number of atoms covalently bonded together in a defined spatial relationship.
Base
Any substance that accepts hydrogen ions in solution. A base has a number higher that 7 on the pH scale.
Proton
A base consistent of an atom, found in the nucleus of the atom and having positive electrical charge. Elements are defined by the number of protons in their nucleus.
Neutron
One of three primarily constituents of an atom, processing no electrical charge and found in the atom’s nucleus. Isotopes are defined by the number of neutrons in an atom.
Electron
With protons the neutrons, one os three basic constitutions of an atom. Electrons carry a negative electrical charge and are distributed in a atom at a distance from the nucleus.
Ionic Bond
A linking in which two or more ions are bonded to each other by virtue of their opposite charge.
Covalent Bond
A type of bond in which two or more atoms are linked through a sharing of electrons.
Hydrophilic
The property, possessed by some compounds, of being to able to form chemical bounds with water molecules. Table salt (NaCI) is hydrophilic and this will readily dissolve in water.
Acid
An acid is a chemical species that donates protons or hydrogen ions and/or accepts electrons.
Examples: Arrhenius acid, Lewis acid, hydrochloric acid
Orbital
Electron cloud having an energy state described by given values of the n, ℓ, and mℓ quantum numbers. An orbital can contain two electrons with paired spins and is often associated with a specific region of an atom.
Examples: The electrons in the 2px orbital of an atom are generally found within a dumbbell-shaped cloud about the x-axis.