Chapter 2 - The Chemistry of Life Flashcards
Which 6 elements account for 98.5% of body’s weight?
O- Oxygen C- Carbon H- Hydrogen N- Nitrogen Ca- Calcium P- Phosphorus
What is a chemical element?
The simplest form of matter to have unique chemical properties
Which 6 elements account or 0.8% of body’s weight?
S- Sulfur K- Potassium Na- Sodium Cl- Chlorine Mg- Magnesium Fe- Iron
What are the remaining trace elements (12)?
Cr- Chromium Co- Cobalt Cu- Copper F- Fluorine I- Iodine Mn- Manganese Mo- Molybdenum Si- Silicon Sn- Tin V- Vanadium Zn- Zinc
What are minerals?
Inorganic elements extracted from the soil of plants
Particle so small that nothing can cut it?
Atom
The nucleus of an atom is composed of?
Protons and neutrons
Has a single positive charge
Proton
Has no charge
Neutron
Has a single negative charge
Electron
Around the nucleus are?
One or more concentric clouds of electrons
Electrons determine?
The chemical properties of an atom
The number of electrons equals?
The number of protons
What determines the bonding of an atom?
The electrons in the outermost shell when electrons swarm the nucleus in electron shells (energy levels)
What is an isotope?
Elements which differ in number of neutrons
What are radioisotopes?
Isotopes that are unstable and decay (breakdown) to more stable isotopes by giving off radiation
What is ionizing radiation?
High-energy radiation that destroys molecules and produces dangerous free radicals and ions in human tissues
What are ions?
Charged particles with unequal numbers of protons and electrons
Elements with 1-3 electrons in their outer shell tend to do what?
Give up electrons
Elements with 4-7 electrons in their outer shell tend to do what?
Gain more electrons
What are anions?
Particles that gain electrons and acquire a negative charge
What are cations?
Particles that lose electrons and acquire a positive charge
Ions with opposite charges are?
Attracted to each other and tend to follow each other through the body
What are electrolytes?
Compounds that ionize in water and form solutions capable of conducting electricity
What are electrolytes important for?
Their chemical reactivity, osmotic effects, and electrical effects
What are free radicals?
Chemical particles with an odd number of electrons
How are free radicals produced?
By normal metabolic reactions and combine with molecules which converts them into free radicals
What are chemical bonds?
Forces that hold a molecule together and attract molecules to one another
What are the different types of chemical bonds?
Ionic bonds
Covalent bonds
Hydrogen bonds
Van der Waals forces
What is an ionic bond?
A weak attraction of a cation to an anion that easily dissociates in the presence of something more attractive
What is a covalent bond?
An attraction between atoms formed by the sharing of electrons
What are the different types of covalent bonds?
Single Covalent Bond- sharing of a single pair of electrons.
Double Covalent Bond- sharing of two pairs of electrons.
What is a hydrogen bond?
A weak attraction between hydrogen atom in a molecule and an oxygen or nitrogen in another
What are Van der Waals forces?
Weak, brief attractions between neutral atoms
Most mixtures in our bodies are chemicals dissolved or suspended in?
H2O
What is solvency?
The ability to dissolve other chemicals
What are the types of solvency?
Hydrophilic- substances that dissolve in water.
Hydrophobic- substances that do not dissolve in water.
What is adhesion?
The tendency of one substance to cling to another
What is cohesion?
The tendency of molecules of the same substance to cling to each other
What is surface tension?
A force that holds water molecules together so that they form an elastic layer
What happens during chemical reactivity?
Water participates in chemical reactions by ionizing other chemicals
What happens during thermal stability?
Water has a high heat capacity and thus can absorb heat without changing temperature much
What is a solution?
Particles (solute) under 1 nm mixed with a liquid (solvent).
Identities of a solution
a) Particles will pass through most selectively permeable membrane.
b) Solution does not separate when allowed to stand.
What is a colloid?
Particles 1 to 100 nm mixed with a liquid
Identity of a colloid
Particles this large scatter light, so colloids are usually cloudy
What is suspension?
Particles larger than 100 nm mixed with a liquid
Identities of a suspension
a) Particles will not pass through membranes.
b) Particles separate from liquid on standing.