Chapter 2 - Chemistry of Life Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms and concepts in Topic 2: Chemistry of Life.

Atom

The basic building block of matter utilized by living things to construct bodies and drive life processes.

Proton

A major subatomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom that carries a positive charge.

Neutron

A major subatomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom that carries no charge (neutral).

Electron

A major subatomic particle located outside the nucleus that carries a negative charge.

Ion

An atom or group of atoms that has acquired a net electrical charge by gaining or losing one or more electrons.

Isotope

An atom of an element containing a different number of neutrons compared to other atoms of the same element.

Covalent Bond

A type of chemical bond formed when atoms share pairs of electrons.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed through the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, creating oppositely charged ions that attract.

Polarity

The property of a molecule having an uneven distribution of electrical charge, resulting in distinct positive and negative regions.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances dissolved together.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak bond or attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen atom and a slightly negative region of another molecule.

pH Level

A measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution based on its relative concentration of hydrogen ions ($H^+$) versus hydroxide ions ($OH^-$).

Cohesion

The property of water molecules sticking to other water molecules.

Adhesion

The property of water molecules sticking to other types of molecules or surfaces.

Molecule

A group of two or more atoms joined together by covalent bonds.

Compound

A substance formed by the chemical combination of two or more different elements in fixed proportions.

Four Types of Organic Molecules

The key categories of organic compounds essential for living things: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Enzyme

A protein that can catalyze a chemical reaction

Carbohydrate - Monosacuride

Supply immediate energy and short-term fuel storage while building structural elements like plant cell walls.

Lipid - Fatty acid

Act as highly concentrated, long-term energy reserves, insulate organs, and form the protective, waterproof membranes of all cells.

Protein - Amino Acids

Serve as cellular workhorses, operating as enzymes to speed up chemical reactions, providing structural support in tissue, and defending the body against disease

Nucleic Acid - Nucleotide

Function as the data center, where DNA securely stores the permanent genetic blueprint and RNA coordinates the production of proteins.

Monomer

The building blocks/parts of a organism