Science 8: Cell Chemistry, Water Properties, and Organic Molecules

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cell chemistry, acids and bases, properties of water, and organic macromolecules.

Hydronium Ion ($H_3O^+$)

A positively charged ion associated with acids that donates $H^+$.

Hydroxide Ion ($OH^-$)

A negatively charged ion associated with bases that accepts $H^+$.

pH

A measurement standing for "Power of Hydrogen" used to indicate whether a substance is acidic or basic.

pOH

A measurement standing for "Power of Hydroxide Ion."

Buffers

Substances that keep pH within normal limits, such as blood.

Inorganic Molecules

Molecules that contain no carbon-oxygen bonds.

Organic Molecules

Molecules that contain carbon-oxygen bonds.

Cohesion

The attraction and combination of identical molecules due to hydrogen bonding, such as water attracting itself.

Adhesion

The attraction between different kinds of molecules, such as water attaching to a surface, plant veins, or a straw.

Surface Tension

A measurement of how difficult it is to break the surface of a liquid, allowing water to act as a membrane due to polarity and hydrogen bonds.

High Heat Capacity

The property of water that enables it to store large amounts of heat energy, resist rapid temperature changes, and stay warm for a long time.

High Heat of Evaporation

The property of water allowing it to easily absorb heat from surroundings without evaporating easily, helping things resist overheating.

Monosaccharides

Carbohydrate monomers, typically ending in "-ose," that provide energy for cellular work and serve as raw materials for other organic molecules.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrate dimers formed by an irreversible dehydration reaction and broken apart by hydration, such as maltose and lactose.

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrate polymers that function as energy storage structures, such as glycogen and cellulose.