Introduction to Chemistry, Water Properties, and Chemical Reactions

Flashcards based on lecture notes covering basic chemical bonding, water properties, pH, chemical reactions, and metabolism terms.

Van der Waals bond

A weak, temporary bond between two atoms characterized by a gap and a strength that is only $1\%$ as strong as a covalent bond.

Solvent

A substance, such as water, that dissolves another substance to form a solution.

Solute

A substance that gets dissolved by a solvent, such as salt or sugar.

Homogeneous mixture

A mixture in which the solute dissolves completely and becomes invisible, such as salt or sugar in water.

Heterogeneous mixture

A mixture that does not completely mix, allowing particles to settle out over time, such as sand in water.

Hydrophilic

A property describing water-loving or water-absorbable substances that readily dissolve in water, such as salt.

Hydrophobic

A property describing substances that fear water and do not dissolve in it, such as oil and fat.

Adhesion

The characteristic of water molecules sticking to other objects or surfaces, such as fingers, paper towels, or blood capillaries.

Cohesion

The characteristic of water molecules sticking to each other via hydrogen bonding, creating surface tension.

Thermal stability

The ability of water to hold high heat capacity, taking time to boil rather than changing temperature immediately.

Acid

A chemical substance that releases hydrogen ions ($H^+$) in a solution, with higher hydrogen release indicating a stronger acid.

Base

A chemical substance that accepts hydrogen ions ($H^+$) or releases hydroxide ions ($OH^-$); also referred to as alkaline.

pH

A value representing the power or concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, where $7$ is neutral.

Acidosis

A medical condition where the blood pH falls below the normal range of $7.35$ to $7.45$, such as a blood pH of $7.34$.

Alkalosis

A medical condition where the blood pH rises above the normal range of $7.35$ to $7.45$, such as a blood pH of $7.46$.

Buffer

A chemical solution that neutralizes acids or bases to restore and maintain a neutral pH balance.

Chemical reaction

A process in which a covalent or ionic bond is formed or broken.

Synthesis reaction

A type of chemical reaction where single molecules combine to form a larger molecule.

Decomposition reaction

A chemical reaction in which a larger combined molecule breaks down into two smaller single entities.

Single replacement reaction

A chemical reaction in which one element or atom in a compound is replaced by another.

Double replacement reaction

A chemical reaction in which components of two compounds switch places with each other.

Dehydration synthesis

A reaction (also known as condensation) where two molecules join together to form a larger molecule with the removal of a water molecule ($H_2O$).

Hydrolysis reaction

A chemical reaction that breaks down a larger molecule into smaller molecules by adding a water molecule ($H_2O$).

Metabolism

The collection of all chemical reactions occurring within the body.

Catabolism

A branch of metabolism involving reactions that break covalent bonds in molecules to produce smaller entities and release energy.