Basic Chemistry and Cell Structures

These flashcards cover key concepts related to basic chemistry and cell structures, including definitions of terminology, chemical bonding, and cellular processes.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass.

Mass

The amount of matter in an object.

Weight

The gravitational force acting on an object of a given mass.

Neutron

Subatomic particle with no charge found in the nucleus of an atom.

Proton

Subatomic particle with a positive charge found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

Subatomic particle with a negative charge found outside of the nucleus in a cloud.

Atomic number

The number of protons in an atom.

Mass number

The sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

Ionic bond

A bond formed by the donation or gain of an electron creating charged atoms.

Covalent bond

A bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.

Polar covalent bond

A covalent bond with unequal sharing of electrons leading to partial charges.

Nonpolar covalent bond

A covalent bond with equal sharing of electrons that does not result in partial charges.

Hydrogen bond

A weak attraction that holds molecules, such as water, together.

Chemical reaction

A process that transforms reactants into products.

Reactants

Starting materials in a chemical reaction.

Products

End materials resulting from a chemical reaction.

Potential energy

Stored energy in a system.

Kinetic energy

Energy in motion.

Acid

A substance that donates protons (H+) or releases hydrogen ions.

Base

A substance that accepts protons (H+) or binds to hydrogen ions.

pH scale

A measure of how acidic or basic a substance is, ranging from 0 to 14.

Carbohydrate

Macromolecule made of subunits called monosaccharides.

Protein

Macromolecule made of subunits called amino acids.

Lipid

Macromolecule made of subunits called triglycerides.

Nucleic acid

Macromolecule made of subunits called nucleotides, such as DNA and RNA.

Plasma membrane

Outer boundary of a cell that interacts with its environment.

Cytoplasm

Space between the plasma membrane and nucleus containing organelles.

Mitochondrion

Organelle known as the 'Powerhouse of the cell' where ATP is produced.

Rough ER

Endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes where proteins are produced.

Smooth ER

Endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes that produces lipids.

Golgi apparatus

Organelle that modifies, packages, and distributes proteins and lipids.

Lysosomes

Organelles that contain digestive enzymes for cellular materials.

Interphase

Phase between cell divisions where the cell is at rest.

Mitosis

Series of events leading to the division of a cell into two cells.

Prophase

First stage of mitosis where chromatin condenses into chromosomes.

Metaphase

Stage of mitosis where chromosomes align in the center of the cell.

Anaphase

Stage of mitosis where chromatids are separated and move to opposite poles.

Telophase

Final stage of mitosis where chromosomes de-condense and the nuclear envelope reforms.