Chemistry of Life - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the notes on chemistry of life.

Matter

Any material that takes up space.

Energy

The ability to do work or move matter.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

Atom

The basic unit of matter, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Proton

Positively charged subatomic particle located in the nucleus.

Neutron

Electrically neutral subatomic particle located in the nucleus.

Electron

Negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus.

Atomic Number

Number of protons in an atom; determines identity of the element.

Isotope

Variants of an element with different numbers of neutrons.

Bulk Elements

The four most abundant elements in life: Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen.

Oxygen

Element with symbol O; one of the bulk elements.

Carbon

Element with symbol C; essential bulk element.

Hydrogen

Element with symbol H; lightest bulk element.

Nitrogen

Element with symbol N; a key bulk element.

Trace Elements

Elements required in smaller amounts; examples include zinc.

Ion

An atom that has gained or lost electrons, forming a charged particle.

Ionic Bond

Bond formed by the electrical attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Covalent Bond

Bond formed when atoms share electron pairs.

Polar Covalent Bond

Covalent bond with unequal sharing of electrons, creating partial charges.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

Covalent bond with equal sharing of electrons.

Molecule

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Compound

A molecule composed of two or more different elements.

Monomer

Small subunit that can join to form a polymer.

Polymer

A large molecule made of repeating monomer subunits.

Molecular Formula

Notation identifying the elements and number of atoms in a molecule.

Structural Formula

Representation showing the arrangement of atoms in a molecule.

Isomers

Molecules with the same formula but different structures.

Orbitals

Regions where electrons are most likely to be found.

Valence Shell

Outermost electron shell; full shells are more stable.

Hydrogen Bond

Attraction between partial charges of adjacent molecules, important in water.

Van der Waals Forces

Weak, brief attractions due to temporary dipoles between neutral atoms.

Water

A universal solvent with cohesion, adhesion, and thermal properties.

Hydrophobic

Nonpolar molecules that do not dissolve in water.

Hydrophilic

Molecules that dissolve in water.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of solute dissolved in solvent.

Solvent

Substance in which a solute dissolves.

Solute

Substance dissolved in a solvent.

Ions

Charged particles formed when electrolytes ionize in water.

Electrolyte

Substance that ionizes in water and conducts electricity.

Free Radical

Short-lived atom or molecule with unpaired electrons; can damage other molecules.

Antioxidant

Substances that neutralize free radicals.

pH

Scale (0–14) measuring H+ concentration; neutral is 7.

Acid

Solution with higher H+ concentration (pH < 7).

Base

Solution with lower H+ concentration (pH > 7).

Buffers

Substances that resist pH changes in solutions.

Dehydration Synthesis

Joining monomers with loss of water.

Hydrolysis

Breaking bonds by adding water.

Catabolism

Metabolic pathways that break down molecules to release energy.

Anabolism

Metabolic pathways that synthesize complex molecules using energy.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions occurring in a living organism.