“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations” - Psalm 33:11

Lesson 2.1 - Atoms + Other Building Blocks of Life

Electron - a negative charge on the outside of an atom

Neutron - no charge and insideof the atom

Proton - a positive charge inside the atom and bonded to neutrons

Compound - consisting of two or more simple parts or individuals in combination

What is the compound H2SO4 made of - two hydrogen atoms, one sulfur atom, and four oxygen atoms

Why Does Ice Float - Ice floats because when it freezes, it expands and binds to other water molecules doing the same. These stick together and work to form ice, which is less dense than water. This is important to the organisms underneath because they are protected from the harsh elements by this ice and therefore can live through the winter.

Adhesion - The act of water sticking to other surfaces

Cohesion - The act of water sticking to itself

Capillary Action - The act of water using both cohesion and adhesion to supply water to the leaves of a plant

Surface Tension - Tension created by tension inflicted upon the bonds of water molecules

Differences - Water sticking to itself versus other surfaces, water using this to perform an action, and the use of cohesion in surface tension

Lesson 2.2 - Water Molecule

Polar Covalent Bond - These are formed when there is an unequal sharing of electrons between atoms

Covalent Bond - These are formed when there is an equal sharing of electrons between atoms

Why is Water a Polar Molecule - Water is polar because the hydrogen and oxygen atoms share electrons. However, the oxygen atom has more protons in its nucleus (which are positive) and therefore attracts more electrons (making it negative), although the hydrogen keeps some (making it positive). These uneven amounts of electrons create poles, which makes water polar.

How Hydrogen Bonds Form with Water Molecules - Since oxygen atoms have slightly negative charges and hydrogen atoms have slightly positive charges, the two can attach to one another. This is essentially the bonding of two water molecules

Solution - A type of homogenous mixture in which the particles of one or more substances (the solute) are distributed uniformly throughout another substance (the solvent). The particles are too small to be seen by the naked eye, unlike in a suspension, where the particles don’t settle are big enough for the naked eye to see

Solute - A substance that is dissolved in a solution - Sugar in Tea

Solvent - A liquid that is able to dissolve a solid - Acetone

Acid - A compound that forms H+ ions in a solution. pH scale range 0-6, weak 4-6, strong 0-3

Base - A compound that produces hydroxide ions in a solution. pH scale range 8-14, weak 8-10, strong 11-14

Neutral - A compound with a pH of 7, or perfectly neutral, without leaning acidic or basic

Homeostasis - The tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements

Buffer - Weak acids or bases that can react with strong acids or bases to prevent sharp, sudden changes in pH. These help the body to remain in homeostasis

Lesson 2.3 - Carbon Compounds

Carbohydrates - Compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

• Used as a main source of energy in living things

• Plants use it for structural purposes

• Breakdown of carbs (sugars) provide immediate energy to cells

• Store extra sugar as complex carbs called starches

• Monosaccharides - anything that ends in “ose”, and includes sugars and starches

Lipid - Compounds made from carbon and hydrogen atoms

• Not soluble in water

• Fats, oils, waxes, and steroids

• Used to store energy and create waterproof cell membranes

• Formed when glycerol molecules are combined with fatty acids

• Fatty acids chains are formed when a carbon molecule is joined with two carbon molecules

• A satured fatty acid is formed when a chain is joined with a single bond

• An unsatured fatty acid is formed when a chain is joined with another chain or if there is at least one carbon-carbon double bond

Protein - Macromolcues that contain oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur

• Made of amino acid monomers

• Amino acids have an amino group on one end and a carboxyl group on the other

• There are 20 different amino groups

• Instructions for amino acids to form are found in DNA

• Control the rate of reactions and regulate cell processes

• Used to form bones and muscles

• Used to transport other substances and fight diseases

• There are four steps to forming proteins

  • 1: Amino acids form a chain

  • 2: Amino acids are twisted to form a helix or a pleated sheet

  • 3: The chain is then folded into a 3D object

  • 4: If there is more than 1 object, the two can join and create another object

Nucleic Acid - Macromoclues that contain hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and phosphours

• Made of nucleotide monomers

• Nucleotides contain/are made of:

  • A 5-carbon sugar

  • A phosphate group

  • A nitrogen base

• When multiple nucleotides are joined by covalent bonds, they create nucleic acids

• Used to store and transmit genetic info to cells

• RNA - Single helix & DNA - double helix

Lesson 2.4 - Chemical Reactions + Enzymes

Chemical Reaction - A process that changes one set of chemicals into another set of chemicals

During a Reaction Energy Can Be Released In - The form of energy

Energy - Cannot be created or destroyed, but is transferred each time a chemical reaction is carried out. It is also needed in each and every chemical reaction, as it is used to activate it

Plants - Get their energy from the sun (this is their activation energy)

Humans - Get their energy from eating plants and animals (this is their activation energy)

Endergonic - Energy absorbed in a reaction

Exergonic - Energy released in a reaction

What Happens to ___ During a Chemical Reaction:

• Atoms - They are rearranged

• Compounds - They are also rearranged to fit the new set of chemicals

Product and Reactants of 2H + O > H2O:

• Products - The element H2O

• Reactants - 2 Hydrogen molecules, 1 oxygen molecule

Activation Energy - The energy that is needed to get a reaction started

Catalyst - A substrate that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction. These work by lowering the nesscary amount of activation energy

Enzymes: “Ase”

• Proteins that act as biological catalysts

• Speed up chemical reactions in cells

• Lowering the activation energy

• Are very specific and only responsible for carrying out one reaction

• Lactase - Lactose

Inhibitor - Something that prevents the action of an enzyme by blocking the active site so a substrate cannot enter as easily

Temperature and Enzymes - If enzymes are put in conditions that are too hot or cold for them to work easily, it will take them longer to produce new molecules and do their jobs properly

• Hotter Temp - Molecules move too fast

• Lower Temp - Molecules move too slow

• Denaturation - 3D proteins losing their shape and size

2 Things Enzymes Do During Chemical Reactions:

• Enzymes lower activation energy

• Enzymes speed up a chemical reaction

The Steps an Enzyme Undergoes During A Chemical Reaction -

1. Substrates bind to active site on enzyme

2. Bond in substrate break/new bonds are created

3. Products are formed and released

4. Enzyme is free to be used again

Enzymes Play Essential Roles In:

• Regulating cell pathways

• Making materials cells need

• Releasing energy

• Transferring information

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” - 2 Chronicles 15:7