CHEMISTRY OF LIFE

What are the essential elements of life

Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen

Trace Elements

Required by organisms only in very small quantities

Isotopes

Same number of protons different number on neutrons

Chemical Compound

Two or more elements combined in a fixed ratio

Atoms of a compound are held together by ___

Chemical Bonds

Type of chemical bonds

Ionic, Covalent, Hydrogen

Ionic Bond

When one or more electrons are transferred from one atom to another

Covalent Bond

When electrons are shared between atoms

Nonpolar Covalent

Electron shared equally between two atoms in covalent bond

Polar Covalent

Electron shared unequally between two atoms in a covalent bond

Hydrogen Bond

Weak attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen atom and a slightly negative atom

Molecule

Group of two or more atoms bonded together

Cohesion

When molecules of the same substance stick together, like water molecules forming droplets due to hydrogen bonds.

Adhesion

When molecules of one substance stick to a different substance, like water clinging to glass or plant walls.

Acidic

A substance with a pH less than 7, releasing hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution.

Bases

A substance with a pH greater than 7, releasing hydroxide ions (OH⁻) or accepting hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution.

pH Scale

Numbered from 1-14, midpoint 7.

Concentration of hydrogen ions in solution indicates wherever it is acidic, basic or neutral.

Neutral

A substance with a pH of 7, neither acidic nor basic, like pure water.

Organic Compound

A compound that contains carbon and is typically found in living organisms, often bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen.

Inorganic Compound

A compound that does not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, often found in non-living things, like water (H₂O) and salts.

Monomer

Individual building blocks of a polymer

Polymer

A large molecule made up of repeating subunits called monomers

Dehydration Synthesis

A process where two molecules are joined by removing a water molecule, forming a larger compound

Hydrolysis

A process where water is added to break down a compound into smaller molecules, often splitting polymers into monomers.

Polymers are formed through ____ and broken down through _____

Formed through dehydration synthesis and broken down through hydrolysis