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AP Biology > Ch.2 The Chemical Context of Life > Flashcards

Ch.2 The Chemical Context of Life Flashcards

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1
Q

Element

A

A substance that cannot be broken down to other substances by chemical reactions

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2
Q

Compound

A

A substance consisting of two or more different elements combined in a fixed ratio

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3
Q

Essential element

A

Chemical elements required for an organism to survive, grow, and reproduce

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4
Q

Trace elements

A

Required by an organism in only minute quantities

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5
Q

Atom

A

The smallest unit of matter that still retains the properties of an element

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6
Q

Atomic nucleus

A

Atoms dense central core containing protons and neutrons

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7
Q

Atomic number

A

Number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom

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8
Q

Mass number

A

The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom

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9
Q

Atomic mass

A

Total mass of an atom

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10
Q

Isotope

A

One of several atomic forms of an element, each with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons, thus differing in atomic mass

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10
Q

Radioactive Isotope

A

One in which the nucleus decays spontaneously, giving off particles and energy

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11
Q

Half-life

A

The time it takes for 50% of the parent isotope to decay

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12
Q

Energy

A

The capacity to cause change, for instance, by doing work

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13
Q

Potential energy

A

Energy that matter possesses because of its location or structure

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14
Q

Valence electrons

A

Electrons in the outermost shell

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15
Q

Valence shell

A

Outermost electron shell

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16
Q

Chemical bonds

A

An attraction between two atoms, resulting from a sharing of outer shell electrons or the presence of opposite charges on the atoms

17
Q

Covalent bond

A

The sharing of a pair of valence electrons by two atoms

18
Q

Molecule

A

Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds

19
Q

Single bond

A

A pair of shared electrons

20
Q

Double bond

A

Double covalent bonds; the sharing of two pairs of valence electrons by two atoms

21
Q

Valence

A

The bonding capacity of a given atom

22
Q

Compound

A

Combination of two or more different elements

23
Q

Electronegativity

A

The attraction of a particular atom for the electrons of a covalent bond

24
Q

Nonpolar covalent bond

A

A type of covalent bond in which electrons are shared equally between two atoms of similar electronegativity

25
Q

Polar covalent bond

A

Covalent bond between atoms that differ in electronegativity. The shared electrons are pulled closer to the more electronegative atom, making it slightly negative and the other atom slightly positive.

26
Q

Ions

A

An atom, or group of atoms, that has gained or lost one or more electrons, thus acquiring a charge

27
Q

Cation

A

Positively charged ion

28
Q

Anion

A

Negatively charged ion

29
Q

Hydrogen bond

A

A type of weak chemical bond that is formed when the slightly positive hydrogen atom of a polar covalent bond in one molecule is attracted to the slightly negative atom of a polar covalent bond in another molecule

30
Q

Van der Waals interactions

A

Weak attractions between molecules or parts of molecules that result from transient local partial charges

31
Q

Chemical reactions

A

The making and breaking of chemical bonds, leading to changes in the composition of matter

32
Q

Chemical equilibrium

A

The point at which the reactions offset one another exactly

33
Q

Radioactive isotopes

A

Decay spontaneously gives off particles of energy

34
Q

Metabolism

A

The sum total of chemical processes in your body

35
Q

How are radioactive tracers used?

A

Can be used to track atoms through metabolism
In combination with sophisticated instruments
As diagnostic tools in science

36
Q

What happens when bonds are made?

A

Energy is released

37
Q

“Fixing”

A

Taking that element from a gas and doing something to turn it into a solid

38
Q

What do weak bonds provide?

A

In large numbers, they can provide strength and stability
Allow for more change

39
Q

What do covalent bonds provide?

A

Stability because they are harder to break

AP Biology (8 decks)

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