Chemical Level of Organization

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and definitions related to the chemical level of organization in biology, including atomic structure, bonding, chemical reactions, and biological molecules.

Proton

Subatomic particle with a positive electrical charge.

Neutron

Subatomic particle with no electrical charge, found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

Subatomic particle with a negative electrical charge.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Mass Number

The sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same chemical element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed by the loss of one or more electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed by the gain of one or more electrons.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak bond between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed.

Endergonic Reaction

A reaction that requires energy input and absorbs energy from the surroundings.

Exergonic Reaction

A reaction that releases energy to its surroundings.

Organic Compounds

Compounds primarily containing carbon and typically associated with living organisms.

Inorganic Compounds

Compounds that do not primarily consist of carbon-hydrogen bonds.

Monomer

A small basic chemical unit that can join together to form polymers.

Polymer

A large molecule formed by repeating structural units (monomers).

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, serving as energy sources.

Lipids

Organic compounds that are hydrophobic and include fats, oils, and steroids.

Proteins

Large biomolecules composed of one or more chains of amino acids.

Nucleic Acids

Biological macromolecules, such as DNA and RNA, that store and transmit genetic information.

pH Scale

A scale used to determine the acidity or basicity of a solution.

Acids

Substances that release hydrogen ions (H+) in solution.

Bases

Substances that release hydroxide ions (OH-) in solution.

What are chemical reactions in the body?

Processes that transform substances through the making and breaking of chemical bonds, crucial for metabolism, energy production, and maintaining homeostasis.

What is metabolism?

The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms that convert food into energy and building blocks for growth.

What is cellular respiration?

A metabolic process that converts glucose and oxygen into energy (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water.

What is protein synthesis?

The process by which cells create proteins based on the genetic information carried by mRNA.

What is photosynthesis?

The chemical reaction in plants that converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using sunlight.