Chemistry for Life- THE START Flashcards
Why are inorganic ions important
ions play specialised roles in individuals cells and in the functioning of entire organism
What is a anion
A negative ion formed when a atom gains electrons
What is a cation
a positive ion formed when a atom looses electrons
What is the role of nitrate ions
to make DNA and amino acids
What is the symbol of nitrate
NO3-
What is the role of phospahte ions
to make ATP and ADP
What is the symbol of phosphate ions
PO4-3
What is the role of chlroine ions
nerve impulses and many secretory systems
What is the symbol of chlorine
CI
What is the role of hydrogen carbonate ions
needed for buffering the blood to prevent it from becoming acidic
What is the symbol for hydrogen carbonate ions
HCO3-
What is the role of magnesium ions
produce chlorophyll in plants
What is the symbol of magnesium
Mg2+
What is the role of calcium ions
needed for the formation of calcium pecate for the middle lamella
What is the symbol of calcium
Ca2+
Why is water a good polar solvent
many substances dissolve it. Polar or charged molecules dissolve readily in water due to the fact water is dipolar
Why is the + of water having a high specific capacity
a lot of energy is required to raise the temperature of water bc some of the heat is used to to breal the h+ bonds between water molecules
(temp of large bodies of water does not change much throughout the year)
What is the postive of being water not being compressible
=Provides turgidty to plant cells
it also provides
a hydrostatic skelton for some animals
What is the + of water having high surface tension
the attraction between the water molecules including h+ bonds is greater than the attraction between water molecules and the air
The water molecules hold together forming a thin skin of surface tension
What is the postive of water having a maximum density of 4oc
as water cools to 4oc maximum D is reached
As it cools the water molecules becomes more widely spaced this results in ice is less dense than the water and floats forming an insulating layer. and helping to prevent the water underneath it form freezing
How are hydrogen bonds formed
the slight - charge of oxygen of one water molecule will attract the slight positive hydrogen atoms of other water molecules in a weak electrostatic attraction
What is ionic bonding
the atoms involved in the reaction donate or receive electrons
What is covalent bonding
atoms involved in the reaction share electrons it can result to to a dipole
What is dipole
separation of charge in a molecule when the electrons in covalent bonds are not evenly shared
What is a polar molecule
A molecule containing a dipole
What are hydrogen bons
weak electrostatic intermolcaur bonds formed between polar molecules containing at least one hydrogen atom
