Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Chapter Two
The Chemical Basis of Life
26
Biology
Undergraduate 1
06/16/2010

Additional Biology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Matter
Definition
Anything that occupies space and has mass.
Term
Element
Definition
A substance that cannot be broken down to other substances by ordinary chemical means. There are 92 in nature, and 25 are essential to life.
Term
Which four elements make up 96% of life?
Definition
Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen
Term
Compound
Definition
Substance consistingof two or more different elements combined in a fixed ratio. Much more common than pure element. Example: NaCl (Sodium Chloride)
Term
Atom
Definition
Means "indivisible" and is the smallest unit of matter that still retains the properties of an element.
Term
Proton, Neutron, Electron
Definition
Protons and neutrons are in nucleus of atom. Protons are positive, electrons are negative, and neutrons are neutral.
Term
Atomic Number
Definition
The number of protons in an atom, which stays constant. Unless otherwise indicated, the number of protons equals the number of electrons.
Term
Mass Number
Definition
The sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atoms nucleus.
Term
Atomic Mass (Weight)
Definition
Equal to the mass number, which is the sum of protons and neutrons.
Term
Isotopes
Definition
The isotopesof an element have the same number of protons and electrons and behave identically in chemical reactions, but they have different numbers of neutrons.
Term
Radioactive Isotopes
Definition
One in which the nucleus decays spontaneously, giving off particles and energy. Carbon 14 is an example.
Term
Electron Shells
Definition
Different energy levels of electrons. Depending on its atomic number, an atom may have multiple shells around the nucleus. You can tell how many shells by the rows on the periodic table.
Term
Chemical Bonds
Definition
When two atoms with incomplete outer shells react, and each atom either shares, donates, or receives outer electrons, so that both partners end up with completed shells.
Term
Ion
Definition
An atom or molecule with an electrical charge resulting from a gain or loss of one or more electrons.
Term
Ionic Bond
Definition
When two ions with opposite charges attract each other and create a neutral compound.
Term
Covalent Bond
Definition
A chemical bond in which two atoms share one or more pairs of outer shell electrons. Two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds form a molecule.
Term
Electronegativity
Definition
An atoms attraction for shared electrons.
Term
Nonpolar Covalent Bonds
Definition
Electrons are shared equally between atoms (equal electronegativty) Examples are methan (CH4) and O2, H2
Term
Polar Covalent Bond
Definition
Unequal distribution of charges. The pulling of shared, negatively charged electrons closer to the more electronegative atom makes one atom partially negative and the other atom partially positive.
Term
Hydrogen Bonds
Definition
A weaker bond that is crucial to the functioning of a cell between molecules. Occurs as a part of polar covalent bonds, when the negative charged region becomes attractived to a positively charged hydrogen ion.
Term
Cohesion
Definition
The tendency of molecules to stick together. Much stronger in water than for most other liquids.
Term
Why does ice float on top of liquid water?
Definition
Because it is less dense. As water freezes, the hydrogen molecules become stable in their bonds, holding each other at arms length. In liquid water, the bonds constantly break and reform.
Term
On the pH scale, what characterizes 1-6?
Definition
Higher concentration of H+, becoming increasingly acidic as you go down.
Term
On the pH scale, what charcterizes 8-14?
Definition
Lower concentraton of H+, becoming more basic.
Term
Buffers
Definition
Substances that minimize changes in pH. They do so by accepting H+ when it is in excess and donating H+ when it is depleted. Examples are antacids.
Term
Chemical Reaction
Definition
The making and breaking of chemical bonds
Supporting users have an ad free experience!