Chemistry of Life Flashcards
Matter
Anything with mass, occupies space, and is made of atoms
What are the six elements necessary for life?
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur
Cell
The most basic unit of life
What is the order of units of life?
Atom, molecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biome, biosphere
What is the atomic structure?
Atoms are made of protons and neutrons in a nucleus and electrons in a surrounding electron cloud
Where is most of an atoms mass?
The positively charged nucleus
What does an elements atomic number tell you?
How many protons it has
What is the average atomic mass of an element from?
The sum of protons and neutrons in the most common isotope
Isotope
2 or more forms of an element with different amounts of neutrons, is written as the elements name, then the mass number in the top left and the atomic number in the bottom left
How is the electron cloud of an atom divided?
It is divided into energy shells or levels; the innermost shell can hold up to two electrons and most others can hold eight electrons
Valence electrons
The electrons in the outermost shell of an atom
How many valence electrons does a noble gas have?
8
Compound
Two or more atoms of different elements bound together
Molecule
Two or more atoms covalently bonded together
Covalent bonds
When non-metallic atoms share electrons
