Chapter 2.1 - 2.5 Atoms, Water, Carbon

Atom

The smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties, the basic building block of matter

3 major subatomic particles

Protons, neutrons, electrons

Protons

Positively charged subatomic particle in the nucleus of the atom

Neutron

Neutrally charged subatomic particle in the nucleus of the atom

Electron

Negatively charged subatomic particle surrounding the atoms outer shell

Valence electrons

Electrons located on outermost part of the shell

Atoms interact through

Valence electrons

Covalent bond

Bond where electrons are shared

Ionic interaction

Electrons are transferred, creating charged ions

Ion

An atom or molecule that has an electric charge because it has gained or lost one or more electrons

2 types of covalent bonds

Polar and non-polar

Polar covalent bond

Electrons are shared unequally

Non-polar covalent bond

Electrons are shared mostly equally

Electronegativity

An atoms ability to attract shared electrons

Why does water create an environment for life?

It allows molecules to dissolve, move, and interact with one another

Water is a

Polar molecule

Hydrogen bond

Form when a hydrogen atom is sandwiched between 2 electron attracting atoms

Water can break

Ionic interactions

Water will act as a ____ for any charged or polar molecule

Solvent

Why is carbon a vital element?

Its ability to form large molecules

Carbon can form _____ with other carbon atoms

Stable covalent bonds

4 major families of organic molecules in cells

Proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates

Micromolecules

Small, organic molecules that serve as building blocks

Examples of micromolecules

Simple sugars, nucleotide, amino acids, fatty acids

Macromolecules

Large complex polymers formed by micromolecules

Examples of macromolecules

Polysaccharides, nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates

6 essential elements

Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, and sulfur

CHNOPS

Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, sulfur