chem context of life: ap bio

matter

matter

Anything that takes up
space and has mass.
• Material of which things are made.

atom

The smallest unit of matter
that still retains the
properties of an element.

subatomic particle

The even smaller parts of
an atom (protons, neutrons,
electrons)

protons

Electrically positive
subatomic particle found in
the nucleus of an atom.

neutrons

Electrically neutral
subatomic particle found in
the nucleus of an atom

electrons

Electrically negative
subatomic particle found in a
cloud around the nucleus of
an atom

element

Substance that cannot be
broken down to other
substances by chemical
reactions.

essential elements

Elements known to be
essential to life (CHNOPS
+ Ca).

trace elements

Elements required by an
organism in only minute
quantities

compound

Substance consisting of
two or more elements
combined in a fixed ratio

isotopes

Atoms that have the same
number of protons but
different numbers of
neutrons

radioactive isotope

An unstable isotope in which
the nucleus decays
spontaneously, giving off
particles and energy

energy

The ability to do work

work

The ability to make
something happen that
wouldn’t happen itself

potential energy

Energy that matter stores
because of its position or
location.

kinetic energy

The energy of motion

activation energy

The energy needed to start
a chemical reaction

chemical bonds

The attractions that hold
atoms in interaction

covalent bonds

The sharing of a pair of
valence electrons by two
atoms (H2, O2, H2O, CH4)

molecule

Two or more atoms held
together by covalent
bonds

structural formula

The abbreviation of a
structure using lines to
show bonds (H-H)

molecular formula

The abbreviation of a
structure using subscripts
(H2)

double covalent bond

The sharing of two pairs of
valence electrons, such as
in two oxygen atoms

electronegativity

The attraction of an atom
for the electrons of a
covalent bond.

nonpolar covalent bond

Two atoms with equal
electronegativity.
–The electrons are equally shared. Think of
two dogs of equal size with an equal hold
on a bone. Common example: Oil

polar covalent bond

• Two atoms with unequal
electronegativity.
–The electrons are found more on one side
than the other. Think of two dogs of equal
size with an unequal hold on a bone.
Common example: Water

hydrogen bond

An interaction where a hydrogen
atom covalently bonded to one
electronegative atom is also
attracted to an oxygen on
another electronegative atom

van der waals interactions

The brief interaction of
positively and negatively
charged regions of nonpolar
molecules

ion

a charged atom

cation

positive ion

anion

negative ion

ionic bond

The attraction of a cation and an
anion that form an interaction.
–Strongest Type of Bond. Results from a
transfer of electrons. Think of one large
dog & one small dog

ionic compound

Compound formed by ionic
bonds, also known as salts

chemical reactions

The making and breaking of
chemical bonds that lead to
changes in the composition
of matter

reactants

The starting materials in a
chemical reaction.

products

The final materials in a
chemical reaction

dynamic equilibrium

Reactions are still going on,
but with no net effect on the
concentrations of reactant
and products

oxidation

Reaction in which one of the
reactants loses electrons,
becoming more positive

reduction

Reaction in which one of the
reactants gains electrons,
becoming more negative