Chemistry Of Life Flashcards
Elements
-The simplest form of matter
- cannot be broken down into other substances
CHNOPS (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulfer)
Six elements that makes up the majority of the body
Hydrogen (H)
Percent of human body: 9.5
Significant in Body: found in nearly every compound in the body
Carbon (C)
Percent of human body:18.5
Significant in Body: backbone of all organic molecules
- is the central element because it can form 4 bonds (more than most elements)
Nitrogen (N)
Percent of human body:3.2
Significant in Body: part of proteins and nucleic acids
Oxygen (O)
Percent of human body: 6.5
Significant in Body: part of water, needed for cellular respiration
Sulfer (S)
Percent of human body: 0.3
Significant in Body: part of some proteins
Phosphorus (P)
Percent of human body: 1.0
Significant in Body: bone teeth and nucleic acids
Iodine (I)
Trace element deficiency
- thyroid gland cannot produce hormones and enlarges.
Iron (Fe)
Trace element deficiencies
- blood cannot produce enough red blood cells, causing anemia
Calcium (Ca)
Trace element deficiencies
- bone density decreases over Time, causing osteoporosis
Atoms
Smallest components of elements, and are made up of three parts: protons, neutrons and electrons
Protons
Have a positive charge, determines the identity of the atom and is in the nucleus
Neutrons
Have no charge and is in the nucleus. + protons = the mass of the atom
Electrons
Negatively charged, orbits around the nucleus and determines the chemical bonds the atom will form with other atoms
Electron shells
- Used in chemistry
- shows electrons and how they interact during chemical bonding
- helps understanding valence electrons
- the model is inaccurate because electrons are always moving and are always in empty spaces
Space fillings
- used in biology class
- shows molecular shapes and interactions between molecules
- electrons are drawn as a cloud to show rapid movement.
- i wish i can insert a pic here lol
Neutral atoms
- Has equal number of protons and electrons
- positive and negative charges cancels out
Ex- fluorine (F), 9 protons, 9 electrons, no net change
Ions
Atoms that have gained or lost and electrons, becoming charged
- (+) positively charged- lost an electron
- (-) negatively charged- gained an electron
Ex- Florine ion (F-), 9 protons, 10 electrons and -1 net charge
Electrolytes
Ions found in body cells or fluids called electrolytes
Electrolytes- sodium (Na+)
Found in tears, blood, and sweat
Electrolytes- POTASSIUM (K+)
Found in nerves, and blood
Electrolytes- CALCIUM (Ca^2+)
Found in blood, muscle and bones
Electrolytes- CHLORIDE (Cl-)
Found in blood and stomach acid
Compounds
- single molecule made of two or more elements
Ex- water (h20) and carbon dioxide (CO2)