Chemistry and Biochemistry Review: Water, Atoms, and Organic Compounds

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering atomic structure, periodic table properties, water characteristics, and organic compound chemistry.

Element

Matter composed of atoms that all have the same atomic number (protons).

Atom

The smallest component of an element that still has properties of the element, consisting of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by a charged cloud of electrons.

Nucleus

The central structure located at the center of an atom.

Proton

A particle located in the nucleus with a positive charge of $+1$.

Neutron

A non-charged nuclear particle with the same mass as the proton.

Electron

A negatively charged particle with a charge of $-1$ and a mass less than a proton.

Isotope

Atoms with the same number of protons and electrons, but different numbers of neutrons.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Chemical Symbol

A $1$-$2$ letter abbreviation representing an element, often derived from the Latin or Greek language.

Atomic Mass

The total number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom (for example, $15.9994$ in oxygen).

Polarity (Water)

The property resulting from an uneven pattern of charges across a molecule; in $H_2O$, oxygen has $8$ protons and attracts electrons more strongly than hydrogen, which has $1$ proton.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak, easily broken chemical bond between hydrogen atoms in one molecule and a negatively charged region in another molecule.

Cohesion

The attractive force between particles of the same kind.

Surface Tension

A property enabled by cohesion that produces a thin "skin-like" surface on water, allowing insects to walk on water and allowing water to bulge on a glass filled to the brim.

Adhesion

The attractive force between unlike substances, such as between water molecules and a glass tube.

Capillary Action

The ability of water to climb upward in a narrow glass tube against the force of gravity due to adhesive properties between water molecules and the glass tube.

Temperature Moderation

The property whereby water must gain or lose relatively large amounts of energy for its temperature to change.

Density of Ice

The characteristic that ice is less dense than liquid water, allowing it to float.

Organic Compounds

Compounds containing carbon atoms that are covalently bonded to other carbon atoms and other elements, typically hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.

Macromolecules

Very large organic molecules containing thousands of carbon and hydrogen atoms, typically composed of many smaller molecules bonded together.

Electron Shell Stability

The stable configuration for typical elements achieved with $2$ electrons in the $1^{\text{st}}$ shell, $8$ electrons in the $2^{\text{nd}}$ shell, and $8$ electrons in the $3^{\text{rd}}$ shell.

Single Covalent Bond

A covalent bond where atoms share one pair of electrons ($1$ pair).

Double Covalent Bond

A covalent bond where atoms share two pairs of electrons ($2$ pairs).

Triple Covalent Bond

A covalent bond where atoms share three pairs of electrons ($3$ pairs).

Straight Chain

A carbon backbone arrangement in which carbon atoms bond together in a continuous, unbranched sequence.

Branched Chain

A structural arrangement in which carbon chains branch outward from the main carbon backbone.

Ring (Carbon Structure)

A structural formation in which carbon atoms bond to form a closed cyclic ring.

Functional Groups

Clusters of atoms that influence the properties of the molecules they compose, acting as structural building blocks that determine compound characteristics.

Hydroxyl Group

A functional group with the chemical formula $-OH$.

Carboxyl Group

A functional group with the chemical formula $-COOH$, which is polar and hydrophilic.

Amino Group

A functional group with the chemical formula $-NH_2$.

Hydrophilic

Literally meaning "water loving"; refers to polar or ionic molecules that are attracted to and dissolve in water.

Hydrophobic

Literally meaning "water fearing"; refers to non-polar hydrocarbon ends of organic compounds that do not interact with or dissolve in water.

Monomer

A simple molecular subunit that bonds to form complex molecules; for example, glucose is a carbohydrate monomer (monosaccharide).

Polymer

A complex molecule formed by bonding monomers together; for example, maltose is a disaccharide polymer.

Dehydration Synthesis (Condensation Reaction)

A chemical reaction joining two monomers into a polymer or macromolecule that requires energy and releases $1$ water molecule per bond created.

Hydrolysis

The reverse reaction of dehydration synthesis, in which polymers or macromolecules are split into smaller monomers by adding $1$ water molecule per bond broken.