Introduction to Biological Chemistry and Water Properties

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering basic chemical principles, atomic structure, bonding types, and chemical properties of water from the Chapter 1-7 lecture transcript.

Chemistry

The study of matter and energy, focusing on substances that have mass, weight, and occupy space.

Energy

The power to do work, which cells obtain through nutrients, water, and oxygen to maintain living processes.

Subatomic Particles

The smaller individual components that make up an atom, consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Atomic Nucleus

The central hub of an atom where protons and neutrons reside.

Protons

Positively charged subatomic particles located inside the atomic nucleus.

Neutrons

Neutral subatomic particles that possess no electrical charge and reside in the atomic nucleus.

Electrons

Negatively charged subatomic particles located in the electron cloud surrounding the atomic nucleus.

Electron Cloud

A force field or shell-like region surrounding the atomic nucleus where electrons reside.

Atomic Number

The number of protons found within the nucleus of an atom.

Mass Number

Also called atomic mass, it represents the total number of protons plus neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

Isotope

An atom of an element that possesses a different or altered number of neutrons in its nucleus relative to its stable form.

Radioisotope

An unstable isotope that emits radiation due to an abnormal number of neutrons in its nucleus.

Free Radicals

Highly reactive atoms or molecules with unpaired electrons that cause damage to cellular DNA, proteins, and tissue structure.

Oxidative Stress

The creation of reactive free radicals in the body resulting from cellular utilization of oxygen to produce energy.

Antioxidants

Chemicals abundant in foods like berries and nuts that halt or repair cellular damage caused by free radicals.

Molecule

A stable association formed when two or more atoms are chemically combined.

Potential Energy

Stored energy that has the capability to perform work when transformed.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of motion and movement used to do work.

Chemical Bond

An attractive force that holds two or more atoms together.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed by the active sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Valence Electrons

Electrons located in the outermost cloud or shell of an atom involved in chemical bonding.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond in which electrons are shared equally between atoms because they possess equal electronegativity.

Polar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond characterized by unequal electron sharing because one atom has a higher electronegativity than the other.

Electronegativity

An atom's inherent capacity or strength to pull shared electrons closer to itself.

Ion

An electrically charged atom or molecule.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed by the attraction between a positive ion and a negative ion, occurring when one atom strips an electron from another.

Salt

A crystalline solid compound formed via ionic bonding.

Hydrogen Bond

A bond occurring when an electronegative atom is attracted to a positively leaning hydrogen atom in another polar covalent molecule.

Endothermic Reaction

A reaction or process that absorbs heat energy, such as when hydrogen bonds are broken.

Exothermic Reaction

A reaction or process that releases stored heat energy to its surroundings, such as when hydrogen bonds form.

Solvent

A substance or liquid capable of dissolving other substances.

Solute

The substance that is dissolved within a solvent.

Solution

A uniform mixture created when a solute is completely dissolved in a solvent.

Aqueous Solution

A solution where water functions as the solvent.

Hydration Shell

A surrounding sphere of water molecules that wraps around dissolved ions or polar particles.

Hydrophilic

Water-loving substances that possess an affinity for water and dissolve or interact easily with it.

Hydrophobic

Water-fearing substances that do not interact with or dissolve in water.

Dehydration Reaction

A synthesis reaction where two subunits are joined together into a larger product through the loss of a water molecule.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that uses water to break down the chemical bonds in larger molecules.

Hydronium Ion

A positively charged ion ($H_3O^+$) formed when a water molecule gains an extra hydrogen ion.

Hydroxide Ion

A negatively charged ion ($OH^-$) formed when a water molecule loses a hydrogen ion.