CH2 Basic Chemistry Lecture Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic chemistry, biomolecules, and chemical reactions from the Chapter 2 lecture.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass (weight).

Energy

The ability to do work; forms include chemical, electrical, mechanical, and radiant.

Elements

Fundamental units of matter; 96 percent of the body is composed of Carbon (C), Oxygen (O), Hydrogen (H), and Nitrogen (N).

Atoms

The building blocks of elements.

Protons ($p^+$)

Subatomic particles located in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons ($n^0$)

Subatomic particles found in the nucleus that carry no charge.

Electrons ($e^-$)

Subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus; in an atom, their number equals the number of protons.

Atomic number

A value equal to the number of protons that an atom contains.

Atomic mass number

The sum of the protons and neutrons in an atom.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons and the same atomic number, but varying numbers of neutrons.

Molecule

Two or more atoms of the same elements combined chemically, such as $O_2$.

Compound

Two or more atoms of different elements combined chemically, such as methane ($CH_4$).

Valence shell

The outer shell of an atom.

Octet rule

The principle that atoms require 8 electrons in their valence shell for stability.

Ionic bonds

Chemical bonds that result from the loss or gain of electrons.

Anions

Ions that are negative due to the gain of one or more electrons.

Cations

Ions that are positive due to the loss of one or more electrons.

Covalent bonds

Chemical bonds where electrons are shared in pairs between atoms.

Nonpolar covalent bond

A bond where electrons are shared equally between atoms, making the molecule electrically neutral.

Polar covalent bond

A bond where electrons are not shared equally, resulting in a molecule with positive and negative sides or poles.

Hydrogen bonds

Weak chemical bonds where hydrogen is attracted to the negative portion of a polar molecule, providing attraction between molecules.

Synthesis reaction

A chemical reaction ($A + B \rightarrow AB$) where atoms or molecules combine and energy is absorbed for bond formation.

Decomposition reaction

A chemical reaction ($AB \rightarrow A + B$) where a molecule is broken down and chemical energy is released.

Exchange reaction

A reaction ($AB + C = AC + B$) involving both synthesis and decomposition where parts of molecules are switched.

Organic compounds

Compounds that contain carbon, are mostly covalently bonded, and include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Inorganic compounds

Simpler compounds that lack carbon, including water, salts, and some acids and bases.

Water

The most abundant inorganic compound in the body, featuring high heat capacity, polarity/solvent properties, chemical reactivity (hydrolysis), and cushioning.

Salts

Inorganic compounds that easily dissociate into ions in water and include electrolytes which conduct electrical currents.

Acids

Substances that release hydrogen ions ($H^+$); they are considered proton donors.

Bases

Substances that release hydroxyl ions ($OH^-$); they are considered proton acceptors.

Neutralization reaction

A reaction where acids and bases react to form water and a salt.

pH scale

A measurement of relative concentration of hydrogen ions where 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is basic.

Buffers

Chemicals that can regulate changes in pH.

Dehydration synthesis

A reaction where monomers are joined to form polymers through the removal of water molecules.

Hydrolysis

A process where polymers are broken down into monomers through the addition of water molecules.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, classified into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.

Lipids

Insoluble organic compounds containing C, H, and O, where carbon and hydrogen outnumber oxygen; common types include triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.

Triglycerides (Neutral fats)

Composed of three fatty acids and one glycerol molecule; serves as a source of stored energy.

Saturated fatty acids

Fatty acids that contain only single covalent bonds.

Unsaturated fatty acids

Fatty acids that contain one or more double covalent bonds.

Phospholipids

Lipids containing two fatty acids and a phosphorus-containing group that form cell membranes.

Steroids

Lipids that include cholesterol, bile salts, vitamin D, and some hormones; cholesterol is the basis for all steroids in the body.

Proteins

Construction materials for body tissues built from amino acids; they act as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies.

Amino acids

The building blocks of proteins, containing an amine group ($NH_2$), an acid group ($COOH$), and varying R groups.

Primary structure

The unique sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

Secondary structure

Protein structures reinforced by hydrogen bonds, named alpha-helix and beta-pleated sheet.

Tertiary structure

The overall three-dimensional shape of a polypeptide or protein.

Quaternary structure

A protein structure consisting of two or more polypeptide chains.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions by binding to substrates at an active site.

Nucleic Acids

Molecules built from nucleotides consisting of a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base (A, G, C, T, or U).

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

The genetic material in the cell's nucleus that provides instructions for every protein; organized as a double-stranded helix.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

A single-stranded helix that carries out DNA's instructions for protein synthesis; varieties include messenger, transfer, and ribosomal RNA.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

The chemical energy used by all cells, composed of ribose sugar, adenine base, and three phosphate groups.