Chemical Context of Life Flashcards
Elements
Cannot be broken down
Compounds
Two or more elements
Differing Characteristics
Essential Elements
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen
Other elements equal the other 4% with trace elements making up a tiny portion
Element deficiencies affect the quality of life
Subatomic Particles
Neutrons-no electrical charge, in nucleus
Protons- positive charge, in nucleus
Electron- negative charge, orbit nucleus in cloud orbitals, interact with the molecules
Isotopes
Different number of neutrons (changes weight)
Radioactive isotopes give off energy
Covalent Bonds
Sharing a pair of valence electrons
Single and double covalent bonds
Can forms compounds
Polar Covalent Bonds
Sharing of electrons unequally resulting in a charge
Water is polar so polar molecules are water soluble
Non-polar are non-soluble, have no charge
eg. Fats
Ions
Electron transfer between atoms
Anions and cations attracted to each other, form ionic compounds (may be crystal form)
Cation
Positively charged (lost electrons)
Anion
Negatively charged (gained electrons)
Hydrogen Bonds
Hydrogen atom bonded to a polar molecule is attracted to another electronegative atom
Weak bond
Carbon Skeleton
Carbon chain
Basis of most organic molecules
Vary in length/shape
Hydrocarbons
Molecules of only carbon (middle) and hydrogen
Isomers
Same molecular formula but bonded in a different structure giving it different properties
Functional Groups
Reactive groups within an organic molecule
Gives molecule its properties
Carboxyl, Carbonyl, Hydroxyl, Amino, Sulfhydryl, Phosphate
