Introduction to Chemistry

A set of flashcards summarizing key terms and concepts related to chemistry, including definitions and explanations.

Chemistry

The study of what matter is made of and how substances change.

Reactant

A starting material in a chemical reaction.

Atom

The smallest building block of matter; everything is made of atoms.

Product

A substance made at the end of a chemical reaction.

Molecule

Two or more atoms joined together.

Chemical Reaction

A process where substances change into new substances.

Element

A pure substance made of only one kind of atom (like oxygen or carbon).

Enzyme

A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in living things.

Compound

A substance made of two or more different elements chemically joined.

Substrate

The specific molecule an enzyme works on.

Catalyze

To speed up a chemical reaction.

Active Site

The part of an enzyme where the substrate fits and the reaction happens.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond where atoms share electrons.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond where one atom gives electrons to another.