Basic Chemistry - Human AP Chapter 2 (9-1-25)

Protons

Positively charged subatomic particles: found in the atomic nucleus

Kinetic

Actually doing work (by moving objects)

Matter

Stuff that takes up space and has weight

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

Nucleic acid found in all living cells: carries the organism’s hereditary information

Compound

Substance composed of two or more different elements: the atoms are chemically united

Inorganic

Compounds that lack carbon

Bases

Substances that accept hydrogen ions: proton acceptor

Acids

Substances that give off hydrogen ions when in an aqueous solution

Amino acids

Organic compounds containing nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen: the building block of protein

Atom

Smallest part of an element

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen: includes starches, sugars, cellulose

Catalysts

Substances that cause chemical reactions to happen more quickly

Covalent

Bonds involving the sharing of electrons between atoms

Decomposition

A destructive chemical reaction in which complex substances are broken down into simpler ones

Electrons

Negatively charged subatomic particles: orbits the atomic nucleus

Energy

Ability to do work

Enzymes

Substances formed by living cells that act as catalysts in bodily chemical reactions

Ionic

Bonds formed by the complete transfer of electrons from one atom to another

Isotopes

Different atomic forms of the same element: they have different numbers of neutrons

Lipids

Organic compounds formed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen: fats and cholesterol

Neutrons

Uncharged subatomic particles: found in the atomic nucleus

Nucleus

The center of a cell containing the genetic material of the cell

Organic

Compounds containing carbon: carbohydrates, proteins, fats

Potential

Energy that is inactive or stored

Protein

The building blocks of cells

Salt

Ionic compound that dissociates into charged particles when dissolved in water

Steroids

Chemical substances including hormones and cholesterol

Valence shell

Outermost energy level of an atom that contains electrons: determines the bonding behavior of an atom

Atomic symbol

A one- or two-letter chemical shorthand

Electron cloud

A haze of negative charge that houses the electrons outside the nucleus

Atomic number

The number of protons in atoms in an element

Atomic mass

The sum of the protons and neutrons contained in a nucleus

Radioisotopes

Heavier isotopes of certain atoms that are unstable and tend to decompose to become more stable

Molecules

Substances that form two or more atoms combine chemically

Ions

Electrically charged particles: either negative or positive

Hydrogen bonds

Extremely weak bonds formed when a hydrogen atom bound to one electron-hungry nitrogen or oxygen atom is attracted by another electron-hungry atom

Synthesis

Reactions that occur when two or more atoms or molecules combine to form a larger, more complex molecule: A + B → AB

Properties of water

1. High heat capacity

2. Polarity/solvent properties

3. Chemical reactivity

4. Cushioning

Electrolytes

Substances that conduct an electrical current in solution