Elements of Life

Atoms - The smallest unit of matter that has the characteristics of its specific element

  • Atom Structure: Nucleus with electron orbitals

    • Protons are positively charged, neutrons are neutrally charged, electrons are negatively charged (Protons and neutrons are in the nucleus of an atom)

  • Each orbital has a different amount of energy associated with it.

    • If we are closer to the nucleus, we have lower energy levels.

    • If we are farther from the nucleus, we have higher energy levels.

  • Atoms are typically neutral

Valence Electrons

  • Found in the outermost orbital

  • Used for creating different bond types

  • 8 electrons is the most stable for an element

The Two Types of Ions

  • Cations - They typically have more protons than electrons and have a positive charge

  • Anions - They typically have more electrons than protons and have a negative charge

The Main Elements of Life

  • The main elements of life are Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen

  • The other elements are known as trace elements, found in small amounts

  • The trace elements are essential for homeostasis, not useless!!

The Importance of Carbon

  • Inorganic Carbon is fixed from the atmosphere by plants through photosynthesis

    • This is incorporated as carbohydrates

  • Carbon is utilized for the production of every biomolecule (Biomolecules are lipids, amino acids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids)

  • Decomposers recycle the carbon from dead organisms back into the environment

  • In carbon-depleted areas, organisms will die due to being unable to produce carbon

The Importance of Nitrogen

  • Inorganic Nitrogen is fixed from the atmosphere through bacteria and decomposers, which is then absorbed by plants to enter the food web

  • Nitrogen is utilized by plants to produce proteins and nucleic acids

  • In nitrogen-depleted areas, organisms will die due to being unable to produce proteins and nucleic acids.

The Importance of Phosphorus

  • Phosphorus is used to build nucleic acids and phospholipids

  • Organisms in phosphorus-depleted areas will die due to the inability to make nucleic acids and phospholipids

Electronegativity

  • Electronegativity is the measurement of how strong atoms attract bonding electrons to themselves

  • Determined through the number of electrons in the valance shell

  • The closer to 8 electrons, the more electronegative the element is

Important Electronegative Elements

  • Fluorine (Most electronegative element)

  • Oxygen (More than nitrogen)

  • Nitrogen (least of the 3)