Chemistry of Life: Elements, Bonds, and Water Properties

Characteristics of life

Traits defining living organisms, such as metabolism.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of stable internal conditions in organisms.

Metabolism

Chemical processes for energy and nutrient use.

Inheritable information

Genetic material passed to offspring for survival.

Reproduction

Process of producing new individuals or organisms.

Organic molecules

Compounds primarily composed of carbon atoms.

Liquid water

Essential solvent, most abundant in living organisms.

Element

Substance that cannot be chemically broken down.

Atomic number

Number of protons in an atom's nucleus.

Atomic mass

Average mass of an element's isotopes.

Mass number

Total protons and neutrons in an atom.

Electron orbitals

Regions where electrons are likely found.

Compound

Substance formed from two or more elements.

Molecule

Smallest unit of a compound retaining properties.

Covalent bond

Atoms share pairs of electrons in a bond.

Ionic bond

Electrical attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Cation

Positively charged ion with more protons than electrons.

Anion

Negatively charged ion with more electrons than protons.

Hydrogen bond

Weak bond between polar molecules due to charge.

Hydrophobic interactions

Attraction between nonpolar molecules in water.

van der Waals force

Weak attractions due to temporary charge regions.

Chemical reaction

Process of making or breaking chemical bonds.

Molecule shape

Determines biological function of organic compounds.

Organic chemistry

Study of carbon-containing compounds and their properties.

Functional groups

Specific groupings of atoms in organic molecules.

Specific heat

Heat needed to change temperature of 1g by 1°C.

Heat of fusion

Heat required to convert solid to liquid.

Heat of vaporization

Heat needed to convert liquid to vapor.

Aqueous solution

Solution where water is the solvent.

Cohesion

Attraction between like molecules, e.g., water.

Adhesion

Attraction between unlike substances, e.g., water and glass.