Chapter 2: Chemical Level of Organization Flashcards
Chemistry
The study of structure of matter
Matter
Anything that takes up space and has mass
Mass
The amount of material in matter
Protons
Positive electrical charge
Neutrons
Electrically neutral, which means that they are uncharged
Electrons
Much smaller and about 1/1800th the mass of either protons or neutrons; they bear a negative electrical charge
Nucleus of an atom
Contains one or more protons and it may contain neutrons
Mass of an atom
number of protons plus number of neutrons
Electron cloud
Electrons whirl around the nucleus; are attracted to positively charged protons in nucleus
Electron shell
Two-dimensional representation of the electron cloud; outermost shell represents the surface of the electron cloud
Isotopes
Atoms of a single element but with different numbers of neutrons; distinguishable based on mass
Principal elements
Thirteen most abundant elements to total body weight
Trace elements
Fourteen other elements in the body in very small amounts
Oxygen
A component of water and other compounds; gaseous for respiration
Carbon
Found in all organic molecules
Nitrogen
Found in proteins, nucleic acids, and other organic compounds
Calcium
Found in bones and teeth; important for membrane function, nerve impulses, muscle contraction, and blood clotting
Phosphorous
Found in bones and teeth; nucleic acids and high-energy compounds
Potassium
Important for proper membrane function, nerve impulses, and muscle contraction
Sodium
Important for blood volume, membrane function, nerve impulses, and muscle contraction
Chlorine
Important for blood volume, membrane function and water absorption
Magnesium
A cofactor for many enzymes
Sulfur
Found in many proteins
Iron
Essential for oxygen transport and energy capture
Iodine
A component of hormones of the thyroid gland
Ions
an atom that gave up or gained an electron
Molecule
Two or more atoms share electrons
Compounds
A substance that contains atoms of two or more different elements
Cation
Loss of electron, giving atom a positive charge
Anion
Gain of electron, giving atom a negative charge
Ionic bonds
Created by electrical between cations and anions; involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another to achieve stability
Covalent bonds
Sharing of electrons between atoms
Single covalent bond
One electron contributed by each atom
Double covalent bond
Two electrons contributed by each atom
Nonpolar molecule
Electrons shared equally between atoms; no electrical charge on the molecule
Polar molecule
Unequal sharing of electron between atoms
Solid
Particles held tightly together; maintain their volume and shape at ordinary temperatures and pressures
Liquid
Particles held less tightly together; has a constant volume; container determines shape
Gas
Particles independent of each other; has neither a constant volume nor a fixed shape; can be compressed or expanded; will fill a container of any size
Hydrogen bond
Attraction of the small polar charges on hydrogen atoms to negative charges on other polar molecules; can change shape of molecules or pull molecules together; produces surface tension
Surface tension
Slows the rate of evaporation at water surface
Metabolism
All the cellular reactions of the body at a given moment
Work
Movement of an object or change in physical structure of matter
Energy
Capacity to perform work
Kinetic energy
Energy of motion
potential energy
Stored energy (potential to do work)
Chemical notation
a simple “chemical shorthand” to describe chemical structures and events
Reactants
Participants at reaction start
Products
Generated at end of reaction
Decomposition
Breaks molecule into smaller components
Hydrolysis
Decomposition using the insertion of water
Catabolism
Collective decomposition reactions of the body; releases kinetic energy
Synthesis
Combining of atoms or smaller molecules into larger molcules