Chapter 2 Flashcards
The Chemical Basis of Life
matter
occupies space and has mass
elements
pure substance; cannot be broken down into anything else
compound
substance consisting of two or more elements
main four elements in the body
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen (CHON)
emergent properties
characteristics of compounds not usually found in the base elements
trace elements
elements needed by the body in small quantities; iron, iodine, fluorine, etc.
atom
smallest unit of matter able to retain elemental properties
proton
- positive charge
- in nucleus
- has mass
electron
- negative charge
- in electron shell
- no mass
neutron
- neutral charge
- in nucleus
- has mass
nucleus
atoms central core
atomic number
number of protons
atomic mass
number of protons and neutrons
isotopes
same element but with different atomic masses (C12 and C13)
radioactive isotope
unstable isotope with decaying nucleus; gives off particles and energy
why are radioactive isotopes useful ?
can be used to track and follow certain molecules and show accumulation of certain molecules
electron shell
levels of electrons at certain distances from nucleus; determines chemical properties of the atom
electron levels 1-4 hold how many electrons each ?
2, 8, 8, 18
chemical bonds
attraction between the electrons in two atoms