Molecules of Life Vocabulary

Flashcards related to molecules of life, focusing on key vocabulary terms and their definitions.

Element

Pure substance of one type of atom.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an atom.

Mass Number

Protons + Neutrons

Essential Elements of Life

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen make up 96% of living matter.

Chemical Bonds

Sharing or transfer of electrons with certain other atoms.

Molecules

Atoms combine to form these.

Covalent Bond

Electron sharing

Ionic Bond

Bond formed between two charged atoms due to electron theft.

Ion

Atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

A hydrogen atom already in a covalent bond interacts with the electronegative atom of another molecule.

Cohesion

Water molecules 'hold hands' and stay together.

Solution

Liquid that is a homogeneous mixture of substances

Solvent

The dissolving agent of a solution.

Solute

The substance that is dissolved in the juice.

Hydrophilic

Loves water; substance has an affinity for water.

Hydrophobic

Hates or fears water; substance does not dissolve readily in water.

Acid

Molecule that donates H+ to a solution.

Base

Molecule that accepts H+ from a solution.

Buffers

Substances that minimize changes in concentrations of H+ and OH- in a solution

Acid Precipitation

Rain, snow, or fog with a pH lower than 5.6

Isotope

Atoms of an element that differ in # neutrons