Chapters+2+and+3+Chemistry+of+Life+Lecture+Presentation

What are the characteristics of life?

The characteristics of life include: 1) Organization (living things are made up of cells), 2) Metabolism (chemical processes for energy), 3) Homeostasis (maintaining internal balance), 4) Growth and Development, 5) Reproduction (producing offspring), 6) Response to stimuli, and 7) Adaptation through evolution.

What are life's levels of organization?

Life's levels of organization include: 1) Cells (the basic unit of life), 2) Tissues (groups of similar cells), 3) Organs (structures made of tissues), 4) Organ systems (groups of organs that work together), 5) Organisms (individual living beings), 6) Populations (groups of the same species), 7) Communities (interactions among different populations), 8) Ecosystems (communities plus their physical environment), and 9) Biosphere (the global sum of all ecosystems).

What is the scientific method?

The scientific method is a systematic process used for experimentation and observation to explore questions, generate hypotheses, conduct experiments, and analyze data to draw conclusions.

How does a hypothesis become a theory?

A hypothesis becomes a theory after extensive testing and validation through repeated experiments, peer review, and accumulation of evidence that supports its validity, leading to broader acceptance in the scientific community.

What is matter?

Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space.

What is a molecule?

A molecule is a group of two or more atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that retains its chemical properties.

What is a compound atom?

A compound atom refers to an atom that forms a chemical bond with one or more atoms of different elements, resulting in a compound composed of two or more different types of atoms.

What is a proton?

A proton is a subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom, with a positive electric charge and a mass approximately 1,840 times that of an electron.

What is an electron?

An electron is a subatomic particle with a negative electric charge, found in the outer regions of an atom, and is crucial in chemical bonding and electricity.

What is a neutron?

A neutron is a subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom, with no electric charge and a mass slightly greater than that of a proton.

What is the nucleus of an atom?

The nucleus is the dense, central part of an atom, containing protons and neutrons, and it carries most of the atom's mass.

What is the atomic number?

The atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's chemical properties and its position in the periodic table.

What is mass number?

The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

What is an isotope?

An isotope is a variation of an element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons, resulting in a different mass.

What is an ion?

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

What are electron shells?

Electron shells are the allowed energy levels of electrons in an atom, representing the regions around the nucleus where electrons are likely to be found. They indicate the distribution of electrons and determine the atom's chemical properties.

What are chemical bonds?

Chemical bonds are forces that hold atoms together in a molecule or compound, formed by the sharing or transfer of electrons between atoms.

What is electronegativity?

Electronegativity is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons, typically increasing across a period in the periodic table and decreasing down a group.

What is polarity?

Polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms in a molecule, resulting in a separation of positive and negative charges, which influences the molecule's physical and chemical properties.

How can the atomic number and atomic mass/weight be used to determine the number of neutrons in an atom?

To find the number of neutrons in an atom, subtract the atomic number (number of protons) from the atomic mass (rounded to the nearest whole number). Formula: Neutrons = Atomic Mass - Atomic Number.

How can a valence shell help determine the number of bonds an atom can make?

The valence shell is the outermost shell of an atom containing electrons. The number of electrons in the valence shell determines how many bonds an atom can form, as atoms seek to fill their valence shell to achieve stability, typically following the octet rule.

How does the valence shell determine the number of bonds an atom can make?

The valence shell is the outermost shell of an atom containing electrons. The number of electrons in the valence shell dictates how many bonds an atom can form to achieve stability, usually following the octet rule.

What is the difference between polar covalent and non-polar covalent bonds?

Polar covalent bonds occur when electrons are shared unequally between two atoms, resulting in partial positive and negative charges. Non-polar covalent bonds occur when electrons are shared equally between two identical atoms, resulting in no charge separation.

What are the properties of water?

The properties of water include: 1) Cohesion (water molecules stick together), 2) Adhesion (water molecules stick to other substances), 3) High specific heat (water can absorb a lot of heat before changing temperature), 4) Universal solvent (water can dissolve many substances), 5) Low density of ice (ice is less dense than liquid water, allowing it to float), and 6) High heat of vaporization (water requires significant energy to convert from liquid to vapor).

How does electronegativity make water a polar molecule?

Electronegativity differences between oxygen and hydrogen atoms in water cause an uneven sharing of electrons, leading to partial positive charges on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom, resulting in a polar molecule.

How do cohesion and adhesion work to create capillary action?

Capillary action occurs when cohesion (water molecules attracting each other) and adhesion (water molecules attracting to other substances) work together. In narrow spaces, like plant roots or thin tubes, the adhesive force between water and the tube is stronger than the cohesive forces between water molecules, allowing water to rise against gravity.

How does heat and temperature relate to water’s ability to moderate temperature?

Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it can absorb and store large amounts of heat with only a small change in its own temperature. This property allows water to stabilize temperatures in its environment, making it essential for climate regulation and supporting life.

Why is ice water less dense than liquid water?

Ice is less dense than liquid water because of the hydrogen bonds that form a crystalline structure in ice, causing the molecules to be spaced further apart compared to the more tightly packed molecules in liquid water.

What is the ionization of water, and how does it relate to acids, bases, and the pH scale?

The ionization of water refers to the process where water molecules dissociate into hydrogen ions (H+) or hydronium ions (H3O+) and hydroxide ions (OH-). This equilibrium is crucial for the definition of acids and bases: acids produce H+ ions in solution, while bases produce OH- ions. The pH scale measures the concentration of H+ ions in a solution, indicating its acidity (pH < 7) or basicity (pH > 7).

How do buffers work?

Buffers are solutions that resist changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added. They work by neutralizing excess H+ ions (acid) or OH- ions (base) through weak acid-base pairs, thus maintaining a stable pH in biological systems.

What are the reactants and products of the reaction 2 H2 + O2 → 2 H2O?

The reactants are hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen gas (O2). The products are water (H2O).

What are organic compounds?

Organic compounds are chemical compounds that contain carbon and are typically found in living organisms, often including hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.

What is a hydrocarbon?

A hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms, commonly found in fuels and organic chemicals.

What is a carbon skeleton?

A carbon skeleton is the chain of carbon atoms that forms the backbone of an organic molecule, where functional groups are attached, influencing the molecule’s properties and reactions.

What are isomers?

Isomers are compounds that have the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements of atoms, resulting in different properties and behaviors.

What are functional groups?

Functional groups are specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. They determine the properties and reactivity of organic compounds.

What is the definition of hydrophilic?

Hydrophilic refers to substances that have an affinity for water, meaning they can easily dissolve or interact with water due to their polar nature.

What is hydrophobic?

Hydrophobic refers to substances that repel water or do not easily mix with water due to their nonpolar nature.

What are the functions of a hydroxyl group?

The hydroxyl group (-OH) can form hydrogen bonds, making molecules more soluble in water, and is characteristic of alcohols and sugars, contributing to their reactivity and biological significance.

What is the carbonyl group and its functions in aldehydes and ketones?

The carbonyl group (C=O) is a functional group found in aldehydes and ketones. In aldehydes, the carbonyl group is located at the end of the carbon chain, making them highly reactive and commonly involved in oxidation reactions. In ketones, the carbonyl group is located within the carbon chain, influencing the molecule's polarity and reactivity, often aiding in the formation of larger organic compounds.

What is the function of phosphate in biological systems?

Phosphate is crucial for energy storage and transfer, forming part of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which serves as the primary energy currency in cells. Additionally, phosphates are vital for DNA and RNA structure, playing a key role in genetic information storage and transfer.

What is the function of carboxylic acids in organic chemistry?

Carboxylic acids are organic compounds that contain a carboxyl group (-COOH). They function as weak acids in chemical reactions, donating protons (H+) to form carboxylate ions. They are important in biological processes, synthesis of polymers, and serve as precursors to various chemical compounds.

What are macromolecules?

Macromolecules are large, complex molecules composed of smaller units called monomers, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, and are essential for various biological functions.

What are biomolecules?

Biomolecules are organic molecules essential for life, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, which play crucial roles in biological processes.

What are polymers?

Polymers are large molecules composed of repeating structural units called monomers, which are covalently bonded together. They can be natural, like proteins and DNA, or synthetic, like plastics.

What are monomers?

Monomers are the smallest units or building blocks of macromolecules, which can join together to form polymers through covalent bonds.

What are carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates are organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically in a ratio of 1:2:1, that serve as a primary energy source and structural component in living organisms.

What is a monosaccharide?

A monosaccharide is the simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of a single sugar molecule, such as glucose or fructose, which cannot be hydrolyzed into smaller carbohydrate units.

What is a disaccharide?

A disaccharide is a carbohydrate composed of two monosaccharides linked together by a glycosidic bond, such as sucrose, lactose, and maltose.

What is a polysaccharide?

A polysaccharide is a carbohydrate composed of long chains of monosaccharide units bonded together, serving as energy storage (e.g., starch, glycogen) or structural components (e.g., cellulose, chitin) in living organisms.

What is a triglyceride?

A triglyceride is a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood, composed of three fatty acids bonded to a glycerol molecule, and serves as a major energy source for the body.

What is the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats?

Saturated fats have no double bonds between carbon atoms, making them solid at room temperature, while unsaturated fats contain one or more double bonds, making them liquid at room temperature.

What are waxes?

Waxes are lipids that are made up of long-chain fatty acids esterified to long-chain alcohols, creating a solid or semi-solid consistency at room temperature, often serving as protective coatings for plants and animals.

What are steroids?

Steroids are a class of organic compounds that are characterized by a four-ring carbon structure and are involved in a variety of biological functions, including acting as hormones, signaling molecules, and components of cell membranes.

What are protein enzymes?

Protein enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in cells by lowering the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur.

What are amino acids?

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, consisting of a central carbon atom, an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a variable side chain (R group) that determines the specific properties of each amino acid.

What is a peptide bond?

A peptide bond is a chemical bond formed between two amino acids, linking the carboxyl group of one amino acid to the amino group of another, releasing a molecule of water in the process (condensation reaction).

What is a peptide bond?

A peptide bond is a chemical bond formed between two amino acids, linking the carboxyl group of one amino acid to the amino group of another, releasing a molecule of water in the process.

What are nucleic acids?

Nucleic acids are macromolecules composed of nucleotides that store and transmit genetic information. They include DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).

What are nucleic acids?

Nucleic acids are macromolecules composed of nucleotides that store and transmit genetic information, including DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).

What are genes?

Genes are segments of DNA that contain the instructions for building and maintaining the cells and organisms. They determine inherited traits and encode information for the synthesis of proteins.

What are nucleotides?

Nucleotides are the building blocks of nucleic acids, composed of a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar, and one or more phosphate groups, essential for storing and transmitting genetic information.

What are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids?

Carbohydrates are organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, serving as energy sources; lipids are hydrophobic molecules including fats and oils, used for energy storage and cell structure; proteins are made of amino acids and perform various functions including catalyzing reactions; nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) store and transmit genetic information.