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AP Biology Chapter 2: The Chemical Context of Life Flashcards

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7373174769AtomSmallest unit of matter that still retains properties of an element0
7373211936NeutronsNo charge, in nucleus1
7373220425ProtonsPositive charge, in nucleus, number determines atomic number2
7419818693ElectronsNegative charge, orbit nucleus, when the number of them is different from number of protons the atom becomes an ion3
7419825005Atomic numberNumber of protons4
7419827062Mass numberNumber of protons plus neutrons5
7419828907Essential elementsRequired by organisms, 20-25% of 92 natural elements, CHON make up 96% of living matter and other include Ca, P, K, S, and others6
7419846863Trace elementsOnly required in minute quantities7
7419849707Compound2+ elements combined in a fixed ratio8
7419860163IonsAtoms that have a charge9
7419862088CationPositive charge (lost electrons)10
7419862089AnionNegative charge (gained electrons)11
7419865118IsotopesAtoms with a different number of neutrons, radioactive ones are used in biological research12
7419873324Electron shell/energy levelElectron's state of potential energy, electrons can move up/down levels by absorbing/releasing energy13
7419878520Valence shellnumber of electrons in it determines chemical behavior, reactivity of an atom arises from the presence of 1+ unpaired electrons in valence shell14
7419891405Covalent bonds2+ atoms held together by valence bonds to make a molecule15
7419896398Electronegativityan atom's attraction for the electrons in a covalent bond16
7419900547Nonpolar covalent bondatoms share electron equally17
7419900549Polar covalent bond1 atom is more electronegative, electrons not shared equally (causes partial positive/negative charge)18
7419909316Ionic bondTransfer of electrons from one atom to another to result in full valence shells gives them opposite charges (anion and cation), the are attracted and bond together19
7419917569Hydrogen bondHydrogen atom covalently bonded to one electronegative atom has a partial charge, attracts to other nearby electronegative atoms with opposite partial charges20
7419935381Van der Waals interactionasymmetrical electrons can result in "hot spots" of +/- charge, this is when these charges cause molecules that are close together to attract21
7419942141Molecular shapedetermines how biological molecules recognize and respond to one another, molecules with similar shapes can have similar biological effects (e.g. pain relievers bind to endorphin receptors, artificial sweeteners)22
7419949185Chemical reactionsmaking and breaking of chemical bonds, reactants become products, always reversible23
7419955382Chemical equilibriumThe forward and reverse reaction rates are equal24
7419958060Polarity of waterOxygen has a partial negative charge and hydrogen has a slight positive charge, two water molecules are held together by hydrogen bonds25
74199727164 properties of water that make earth suitable for lifecohesive behavior, ability to moderate temperature, expansion upon freeing, versatility as a solvent26
7419980135cohesion/adhesionWater is linked by hydrogen bonds and therefore stay close together, used to "walk up" the trunk of a tree27
7419985444Ability to moderate temperaturewater absorbs heat from warmer air and releases stored heat to cooled air, resists changing its temperature because of its high specific heat28
7419998610Water as a solventWater is a versatile solvent because of its polarity (easily forms hydrogen bonds), dissolves ionic compounds by surrounding ions in hydration shell, can also dissolve nonionic polar molecules29
7420006043Hydration shellIons surrounded by a sphere of water molecules30
7420008217HydrophilicHas an affinity for water; polar31
7420010567HydrophobicDoesn't have affinity for water; nonpolar (e.g. oil)32
7420018050Acids and basesDisrupt balance between H+ and OH- in pure water, acids increase H+ concentration in water while bases reduce concentration of H+33
7420032275pH of a solutionnegative logarithm of H+ concentration (e.g. 10^-4), acids have pH<7 and bases have pH>7 (STD is 7)34
7420043191Bufferssubstances that minimize changes in concentration of H+ and OH- in a solution (e.g. pancreas releases substances that neutralizes acid chyme)35

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