Chemistry of Life - Lecture Review

Practice flashcards covering the basics of organic and inorganic chemistry, atomic structure, chemical elements of life, and types of chemical bonding.

What is the primary difference between organic and inorganic chemistry based on the notes?

Organic chemistry involves compounds containing carbon bonded to hydrogen, while inorganic chemistry usually involves compounds that do not contain carbon.

What is the definition of Biochemistry?

The study of chemical processes relating to living organisms.

Which four types of chemical compounds are classified as organic in the notes?

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Which two substances are listed as examples of inorganic compounds?

Water and carbon dioxide.

What are the three components that make up an atom and their respective charges?

Protons (positive charge), Neutrons (neutral charge), and Electrons (negative charge).

Where are protons and neutrons located within an atom?

They are located in the nucleus, which is the dense center of the atom.

What characterizes the electron cloud of an atom?

It surrounds the nucleus, is negatively charged, and contains electrons that move in energy levels and have little mass.

Approximately how many elements are found in living organisms?

About $24$ elements.

How is Atomic Number defined in the context of an element's symbol?

The number of protons or electrons.

What formula is used to determine the average Atomic Mass of an element?

Protons + neutrons.

Which six elements, represented by the acronym "CHONPS", compose $97\%$ of living systems?

Carbon ($C$), Hydrogen ($H$), Oxygen ($O$), Nitrogen ($N$), Phosphorus ($P$), and Sulfur ($S$).

Why do most atoms combine with others even though they are neutral?

Most atoms are not stable, so they combine to become stable by filling their energy levels ($2e$ in the first level, $8e$ in the second level).

What happens to electrons in an ionic bond?

Electrons are transferred from one atom to another, forming charged atoms called ions.

What is the definition of a covalent bond?

A bond where electrons are shared and travel in the orbitals of both atoms.

How many shared electrons are involved in single, double, and triple covalent bonds?

Single: $2$ shared; Double: $4$ shared; Triple: $6$ shared.

What is a molecule?

The smallest unit of a compound formed by covalent bonds.

What causes a polar covalent bond to form?

The unequal sharing of electrons due to the structure of the atoms, creating regions that are more positive and more negative.