Basic Chemistry and Organic Compounds

Atomic Structure and Chemistry Basics

  • Atomic Number: Number of protons in an atom.

  • Atomic Mass (Mass Number): Total number of protons and neutrons.

  • Isotope: Variants of elements with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

  • Nuclear and Electronic Configuration: Diagram for atomic numbers up to 20.

  • Energy Shells: Max electrons per shell: 1st (2), 2nd (8), 3rd (18).

  • Valence Shell: Outermost shell affecting chemical properties.

  • Chemical Properties: Determined by electron arrangement.

  • Chemical Bond: Attraction between atoms forming molecules.

Chapters 2 and 3 Overview

Chapter 2: Nature of Molecules and Properties of Water

  • Importance of Basic Chemistry: Foundation for biology.

  • Matter and Elements: All life is composed of matter.

  • Elements in Living Matter: C, H, O, N; trace elements also present.

  • Subatomic Particles: Neutrons (neutral), Protons (positive), Electrons (negative).

Chemical Bonds

  • Types of Bonds: Ionic, Covalent, Hydrogen.

  • Ionic Bonds: Form when electrons are transferred.

  • Ions: Cation (positive; loss of electron), Anion (negative; gain of electron).

  • Covalent Bond: Formed by sharing electrons.

  • Molecules and Bonds: Single vs. double bonds; polar vs. nonpolar covalent bonds.

  • Hydrogen Bonds: Weak bonds crucial for water’s properties.

Properties of Water

  • Functions: Transportation, solvent properties, cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, high specific heat, density.

  • Solutions: Solute and solvent dynamics.

  • pH Scale: Measures acidity and alkalinity.

  • Buffers: Maintain pH in biological fluids.

Chapter 3: Chemical Building Blocks of Life

  • Organic Compounds: Contain carbon; foundational elements (C, H, O, N).

  • Isomers: Compounds with the same formula but different structures.

  • Functional Groups: Hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, phosphate.

Carbohydrates

  • General Formula: (C, H, O) and ending in –ose.

  • Carbohydrate Classes: Monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides.

  • Glycosidic Bond: Link between sugar molecules.

Proteins

  • Subunits: Amino acids; 20 different types.

  • Peptide Bond: Bonds amino acids together; protein vs. polypeptide.

  • Protein Structure: 4 levels; denaturation affects function.

Enzymes and Lipids

  • Enzymes: Catalysts lowering activation energy; specificity for substrates.

  • Lipids: Group including fats, phospholipids, and steroids.

  • Fatty Acids: Saturated (no double bonds) vs. unsaturated (one or more double bonds).

Nucleic Acids

  • Types: DNA and RNA.

  • Nucleotide Structure: Sugar, phosphate group, nitrogen base.

  • Base Pairing: A-T (DNA), G-C; RNA has U instead of T.

  • ATP: Energy currency of the cell; contains components of nucleotides.

  • Importance of ATP: Vital for energy transfer in cells.