Inorganic Chemistry

Chemistry

Science that deals with the structure of matter. Including: Structure of atoms, Basic chemical building blocks, and How atoms combine to form increasingly complex structures

Matter

Anything that takes up space and has mass

Solid

constant volume and shape

Liquid

constant volume but changes shape

Gas

changes volume and shape

Matter is made up of

atoms

Atoms join together to form

chemicals with different characteristics

Chemical characteristics determine

physiology at the molecular and cellular levels

Proton

Positive charge, Located in the nucleus, and has 1 mass unit

Neutron

Neutral, Located in the nucleus, and has 1 mass unit

Electron

Negative charge, Low mass (1/1836 mass unit), Located in the electron cloud

Electron Cloud

spherical area that contains electrons

The number of protons in an atom equals

the number of electrons

Nucleus

Contains protons and neutrons

Atomic number

Number of protons (Found in the lower left-hand corner within each element box)

Atomic Mass Number

Equals the number of protons and neutrons

Element

a pure substance composed of atoms of one kind

The atomic number (number of protons) in an atom

determines its chemical properties

Each element contains

a different atomic number

Isotopes

versions of elements based on mass number

Mass number

number of protons plus the number of neutrons

Radioisotopes

Release radiation and are used for diagnostic testing

Electrons in the electron cloud determine

the reactivity of an atom

Energy levels

Electron cloud contains shells, or energy levels that hold a maximum number of electrons

Lower shells fill

first

First shell can hold a maximum of

2 electrons

Second shell can hold a maximum of

8 electrons

Third shell can hold a maximum of

18 electrons

Valence shell

outermost shell that determines bonding

Chemical bonds form

molecules and compounds

Chemical notation

Used to describe chemical compounds and chemical reactions in the body

Atoms

The symbol of an element indicates 1 atom of that element

A number preceding the symbol of an element indicates

more than one of that

element

Molecules

A numerical subscript following the symbol of an element indicates the

number of atoms of that element in a molecule

Reactants

substances that enter the chemical reaction

Products

substances that comes out of the chemical reaction

Ion

atom that either gains or loses electrons to become stable

Cation

positively charged ion, loses electrons to become positively

charged (Sodium-Na+, Potassium-K+, Calcium-Ca2+)

Anion

negatively charge ion, gains electrons to become negatively

charged (Chloride - Cl-)

Ionic bonds

electrical attractions between cation (positive ions) and anions (negative ions)

Covalent Bonds

Not all atoms gain or lose electrons to become stable

Some atoms can complete the valence shell by

sharing electrons with other atoms

Covalent bonds are

strong bonds

Single covalent bond

sharing one pair of electrons

Double covalent bond

sharing two pair of electrons

Triple covalent bond

sharing three pair of electrons

Nonpolar covalent bonds

Equal sharing of electrons between atoms that have equal pull on the electrons

Nonpolar covalent bonds are the

Results in the formation of a nonpolar molecule

Polar covalent bonds

Unequal sharing of electrons because one atom has a disproportionately strong pull on the electrons being shared

Polar covalent bonds are the

Results in the formation of polar molecule

Polar molecules have

a negative side and a positive side

Water is a

polar molecule

Hydrogen Bonds

Weak polar bonds between adjacent molecules based on electrical attractions

Hydrogen Bonds involve attractions between

a slight positive charge and as a slight negative charge

Hydrogen bonds do not

form molecules

Hydrogen bonds are found between

Water molecules holding them together and Strands of DNA

Chemical Reaction

Either new bonds are formed, or existing bonds are broken

Work

movement of an object or a change in matter: Body movements, Synthesis of biomolecules, and Conversion of liquid water to water vapor

Energy

The capacity to do work

Kinetic energy

energy of motion

Potential energy

stored energy

Chemical energy

energy stored in chemical bonds

Decomposition Reaction (Catabolism)

Breaks a molecule into small fragments by breaking chemical bonds, seen in the digestive system. (AB -> A + B)

Hydrolysis reaction

(A-B + H2O -> A-H + HO-B)

Synthesis Reaction (Anabolism)

Assembles small molecules into larger molecules by forming chemical bonds (A + B -> AB)

Dehydration synthesis (condensation) reaction

A-H + HO-B -> A-B + H2O

Exchange Reaction

Involves decomposition first, then synthesis. Commonly seen in buffer reactions. (AB + CD -> AD + CB)

Reversible Reaction

At equilibrium the amounts of chemicals do not change even though the reactions are

still occurring (A+B <----> AB)

Exergonic Reactions

Releases energy commonly in the form of heat + helps maintain body temperature. The amount of energy released from the chemical reaction is greater than the activation

energy

Endergonic reactions

Absorbs energy. The amount of energy required to begin the reaction is more than what is released. Synthesis reactions are endergonic

Biochemical reactions

Enough energy must be provided to activate the reactants

Activation energy

the amount of energy needed to start a reaction

Enzymes

protein catalysts that lower the activation energy of reactions

Nutrients

essential molecules obtained from food

Metabolites

molecules made or broken down in the body

Inorganic Compounds

molecules not based on carbon, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, water, and inorganic acids, bases, and salts

Organic Compounds

Molecules based on carbon, hydrogen, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids

Water

Most important substance in the human body. Accounts for 2/3rds of total body weight

Universal Solvent

water

Produces solutions

uniform mixtures of two or more substances

A solution consists of

a solvent, or liquid, and solutes

Solutes are

the dissolved substances

Many molecules are

water soluble (polar substances)

Reactivity

Chemical reactions take place in water. Water can also serve as a reactant is some reactions

High Heat Capacity

Water's ability to absorb and retain heat

Lubrication

To moisten and reduce friction