Chapter 2 Flashcards
element
simplest form of matter to have unique chemical properties
atomic number
number of protons in its nucleus
How many elements have biological roles?
24 elements
minerals (2)
- inorganic elements extracted from soil by plants & passed up the food chain to humans
- constitute 4% of body weight
What are electrolytes (mineral salts) needed for?
nerve & muscle function
Electrons determine the ______ properties of atoms
chemical
isotopes
elements that differ from one another due to the number of neutrons
atomic weight (2)
- relative atomic mass
- accounts for the fact that an element is a mixture of it s isotopes
radioisotopes
unstable isotopes that give off radiation
radioactivity
radioisotopes decay to stabilize isotopes by releasing radiation
Who was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize?
Madame Curie
What happens when an atom is converted into an ion?
high energy radiation ejects electrons from atoms
ions
charged particles with unequal number of protons & electrons
ionization
transfer of electrons from one atom to another
anion
atom that gains electrons (-charge)
cation
atom that loses and electron (+ charge)
electrolytes
- salts that ionize in water & form solutions
- can conduct an electric current
What is one of the most important considerations in patient care?
electrolytes
free radicals (2)
- chemical particles with an odd number of electrons
- produced by normal metabolic reactions
What do free radicals cause?
tissue damage
antioxidants
neutralize free radicals
molecules
chemical particles composed of 2 or more atoms united by a chemical bond
compound
made up of molecules with 2 or more different elements
isomers
molecules with identical molecular formulas, but different arrangements