Biology First Quarter Flashcards
(138 cards)
Cells
The smallest unit of life.
Atoms
The smallest part of an element
Elements
A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by normal chemical means
Molecules
Two or more atoms bonded together
Covalent bonding
When two atoms share an electron
The octet rule
Atoms are most stable when their outer shell is filled to the max (eight) with electrons. Atoms will bond to try to accomplish this.
Ionic bonding
When an atom robs one or more electron from another atom. Since the robber becomes negatively charged (it’s gained an extra electron) and the robbed becomes positively charged (it lost an electron) the two stick together
Atomic number
The number of protons in an atom (i.e. if the atomic number of an atom is 6, it is carbon)
The three parts of an atom
Protons, electrons, and neutrons
Protons
The positively charged part of the nucleus of an atom
Neutron
Part of the nucleus of an atom; has no charge
Electrons
Have a negative charge and orbit the nucleus
Atomic weight (or mass)
The number of protons and neutrons in an atom (i.e. if it is carbon, the atomic weight is 12, six protons and six neutrons)
Isotopes
each of two or more forms of the same element that contain equal numbers of protons but different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei, and hence differ in relative atomic mass but not in chemical properties; in particular, a radioactive form of an element
Shells of an atom
The part of an atom where the electrons move around
Orbitals
They hold the electrons. A maximum of two electrons can fit in one orbital. There can be one or more orbitals per shell. The first shell contains one orbital (two electrons), and the second and third shell contain four orbitals (eight electrons).
Hydrogen Bonding
a weak bond between two molecules resulting from an electrostatic attraction between a proton in one molecule and an electronegative atom in the other.
Polar bonding
When the electrons are not evenly distributed, causing a slight charge
Non-polar bonding
When the molecules are evenly distributed, causing a neutral charge
Acid
A substance that gives off hydrogen atoms
Chemical reaction
when atoms come together to make a molecule, or when a molecule breaks up into separate atoms
Reactants
The atoms that come together to form a molecule in a chemical reaction
Product
The molecule that results from reactants coming together
The laws of thermodynamics
- Matter cannot be created or destroyed
2. Given enough time, everything wears out and and falls apart