Chemistry Honors Unit 1 Test

Lesson 1: Are we alone?

Life on other planets will be growing in conditions rapidly different from the ones on Earth. However, these conditions can’t be too different, so life will not form. It is also possible that there are other ways for life to form than the ones observed on Earth. What these ways would look like is entirely unknowable at the moment.

Molecular Spectroscopy

Molecules give off energy. Scientists can detect this energy with special machines, even if the molecules are light-years away. The study of the energy that molecules give off is called spectroscopy. When the molecules are spinning, the energy they are giving off can be used to identify the specific molecule. Scientists look for the spins that have been found near stars similar to the Sun and the planets within those stars' "Goldilocks Zone." The Goldilocks Zone is the area within a solar system where a planet like Earth can form. Scientists have found 140 molecules in outer space using spectroscopy.

Lesson 2: Why are these substances so important for life?

Phospholipids are made of Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Carbon, and Phosphorous. They are surrounded by water. Membrane proteins are made of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Sulfur. Water exists on both sides of the membrane. Nucleic acids are made of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus. Water surrounds the nucleus that contains the nucleic acid. Carbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates are always surrounded by water when found in living cells. Enzyme proteins are made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Enzyme proteins are always surrounded by water in cells. Metal ions are made of oxygen, potassium, calcium, iron, or other metal elements. Metal ions are found dissolved in water both in and outside of all living cells. The elements of life are Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur. An element is a substance made up of the same kind of atom. An atom is a single piece of an element. A molecule is a combination of multiple elements.

Lesson 3: Why is water so important?

Surface tension gives water structure and form. Water has more Surface tension than other liquids. Water helps keep temperature stable in coastal areas. Water and sunlight allow Aquatic land life to exist. Static electricity and water are vital for the transportation of particles. Water allows for materials to dissolve when other liquids might not be able to. Water has good conduction. which allows electricity to flow through it and allows electric signals to flow through the body. Because of surface tension, water can move up roots and stems to get to the plant. Water keeping temperature stable helps life adapt to the gradual change. The combination of sunlight and water allows aquatic life to exist. Water and static electricity transport particles together. Water's solubility allows it to dissolve the materials needed for life. Because water can conduct electricity, electric signals can flow through the body. Water's simple structure allows for its solubility.

Lesson 4: How can we explain charges and electricity, and why might they be important to explaining why water is so important to life?

Materials with repel and materials the same polarity repel, and materials with opposite polarities attract. Polarity is the charge (negative, neutral, and positive) a material has. A neutral charge means a material has both positive and negative charge. When two pieces of tape are ripped from one another the charges are transferred between the has two pieces to that one has a negative charge and the other has a positive charge.