Chemistry for Biologists Review

acld

Acidic compound or solution

atom

Basic unit of matter

atomic mass

Total mass of protons and neutrons in an atom

atomic symbol

Abbreviation for an element

base

Basic compound or solution

buffer

Solution that resists changes in pH

chemical rx

Chemical reaction

covalent bond

Bond formed by sharing of electrons

decomposition rx

Reaction where a compound breaks down into simpler substances

electron

Negatively charged subatomic particle

Atm #

Atomic number, number of protons in an atom

electronegativity

Ability of an atom to attract electrons

Element

Substance made up of only one type of atom

endergonic reaction

Reaction that requires energy input

exergonic reaction

Reaction that releases energy

energy

Capacity to do work or cause change

half-life

Time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay

hydrogen bond

Weak bond between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom

inorganic compound

Compound that does not contain carbon

charge

Electric charge of an atom or ion

ion

Atom or molecule with a net electric charge

isotope

Atom with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons

molecule

Group of atoms bonded together

ionic bond

Bond formed by transfer of electrons

mass (amu)

Mass of an atom in atomic mass units

neutron

Neutral subatomic particle

organic compound

Compound that contains carbon

pH

Measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution

polar bond

Covalent bond with unequal sharing of electrons

proton

Positively charged subatomic particle

Valence #

Number of electrons in the outermost energy level

radioactivity

Spontaneous emission of radiation

radioisotope

Unstable isotope that undergoes radioactive decay

valence shell

Outermost energy level of an atom

Lewis Diagram

Diagram that shows the bonding between atoms