Basic Chemistry and Organic Compounds

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and definitions pertaining to basic chemistry concepts, organic compounds, and biochemical principles.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.

Atomic Mass (Mass Number)

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons and thus different atomic masses.

Valence Shell

The outermost shell of an atom that contains electrons and determines the atom's chemical properties.

Chemical Bond

An attraction between atoms that allows the formation of chemical substances.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

Trace Element

Elements required by living organisms in minute quantities.

Ion

An atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net charge.

Compound

A substance formed when two or more different elements combine chemically.

Molecule

The smallest unit of a chemical compound that retains its chemical properties.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak bond that occurs when a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom is attracted to another electronegative atom.

pH Scale

A scale used to measure acidity or alkalinity of a solution; ranges from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline).

Buffer

A solution that resists changes in pH when acids or bases are added.

Organic Compounds

Compounds that contain carbon and are essential to life.

Functional Groups

Specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules.

Polymer

A large molecule made up of repeating units called monomers.

Glycosidic Bond

A type of bond that connects carbohydrates (sugars) together.

Peptide Bond

The chemical bond that forms between two amino acids.

Saturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that have no double bonds between carbon atoms, leading to a straight structure.

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Fatty acids that have one or more double bonds between carbon atoms, causing kinks in the structure.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, composed of a sugar, phosphate, and nitrogen base.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

A nucleotide that acts as the primary energy carrier in all living organisms.