Matter, Elements, Compounds, and Cell Biology

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental chemistry and cell biology concepts based on the provided lecture transcript.

Matter

Anything occupying space and resisting a change in motion.

Solids

A form of matter that can change shape and size.

Liquids

A form of matter that does not have a definite shape, takes on the shape of its container, and can be spilled or poured.

Gas

A form of matter that has no definite shape, cannot be seen, and can be odorless (without smell).

Melting

The process in which a solid can become a liquid.

Boiling

The process in which a liquid can become gas.

Condensation

The process in which a gas can become a solid.

Freezing

The process in which a liquid can become a solid.

Atoms

The smallest part of an element, retaining the chemical properties of that particular element, made up of smaller particles called sub-atomic particles.

Protons

Massive sub-atomic particles with positive electrical charges.

Neutrons

Sub-atomic particles that have no electric charge (neutral).

Electrons

Small sub-atomic particles with negative electrical charges.

Elements

The building block of matter, with $109$ elements found in the Periodic Table of Elements.

Carbon (C)

An element found in ALL living organisms; the human skeletal structure contains $18\text{\%}$ of carbon by weight.

Oxygen ($O_2$)

An element important for respiration.

Hydrogen (H)

An element important for bonding.

Nitrogen (N)

An element important for the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids.

Sulfur (S)

An element that is a primary component in the blood buffering system.

Trace elements

Elements required/needed in small amounts to maintain a healthy body, including Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Zinc (Zn).

Buffers

Chemical compounds containing both an acid and a base that resist changes in pH levels.

Compound

A substance formed when two (2) or more elements are chemically joined.

Covalent bond

The strongest bond, involving the sharing of electrons between two (2) or more atoms.

Ionic bond

A weak bond involving complete transfers of electrons between atoms.

Protoplasm

Fluid part of the cell, comprised of a nucleoplasm and a cytoplasm.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds in protoplasm that yield energy of four (4) calories per gram and have a 6-C (glucose) structure.

Lipids

Organic compounds whose basic structure includes fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule, providing nine (9) calories per gram of energy.

Proteins

Organic compounds comprised of twenty (20) amino acids (sub-divided into amine group, ketone group, R group) that repair tissue, rebuild muscle, and provide four (4) calories per gram for energy.

Nucleic Acids

Organic compounds consisting of DNA (contains genetic material) and RNA (nutrient supplements).

Active transport

Moving molecules against the concentration gradient where energy is required in the form of ATP.

Passive transport

Movement of molecules down the concentration gradient where no energy is required.

Diffusion

Movement of molecules from high concentration to low concentration.

Nucleus

Cell organelle that controls most activities in the cell and contains chromosomes containing genetic information (DNA AND RNA).

Mitochondria

Energy producing cell organelle.

Chloroplasts

Organelles containing the plants' chlorophyll, giving it its green color.

Cytoskeleton

Cellular structure that helps to maintain cell shape and organized structure within the cell, with primary importance in cell motility.

Cell locomotion centrosome

Cellular structure important in cell division.

Cell wall

Structure that provides and maintains the shape of the cell and serves as a protective barrier.