The Chemistry of Life Flashcards
atoms
smallest unit of elements
atomic number
proton number
ions
charged atoms
cation
overall positive
anion
overall negative
electron
negative charge
negligible mass
proton
positive charge
1 atomic mass unit
neutron
neutral charge
1 atomic mass unit
isotope
same number of protons
different number of neutrons
molecules
two or more atoms bonded together
molecular formula
ex. H2O
isomers
different molecular structures
functional groups
shared chemical properties
organic molecules
hydrogen and carbon
inorganic molecules
maybe carbon
no associating hydrogen
all cells are an
aqueous solution
parts of an aqueous solution
solvent
solute
concentration
solvent
dissolving agent
solute
dissolved substance
concentration
amount solute/unit solvent
pH (potential hydrogen)
measurement of overall acidity or basicity of solution
pH scale
0 - 14
salts
form when acids and bases react with each other
preferred pH for biochemical reactions
7.0
acids contribute
free protons
bases contribute
free hydroxyl groups
chemical bonds
forces that bind atoms in molecules
valence electrons
found in outer electron shell