CHAPTER #2 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:
Be sure you can answer the following questions before taking Test 1. Also, be sure you
understand your own answers (ie don’t just copy the words directly from the book, put the
answer in your own words so you understand it):
OBJECTIVES:
The Structure of Atoms:
1. Describe the structure of an atom and it’s relationship to the chemical properties of elements (note, be sure
to define and describe the following and their relationship to one another molecules, electrons, protons,
neutrons, atomic number)
2. Define and describe an isotope.
3. Define and describe the electron configuration of an atom (use the following terms: electron shells and
energy levels).
How Atoms Form Molecules: Chemical Bonds:
4. Define and differentiate between an ionic bond, covalent bond, hydrogen bond, and molecular weight.
Make sure you understand the difference.
Chemical Reactions:
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Define the following: chemical energy, endergonic reaction, and exergonic reaction.
Diagram and describe a synthesis reaction.
Diagram and describe a decomposition reaction.
Diagram and describe an exchange reaction.
Explain what is meant when it is stated: chemical reactions are reversible.
Important Biological Molecules:
10. Differentiate between organic molecules and inorganic molecules. Note examples of each.
11. List several properties of water that are important to living systems (note, be sure to define solvent, solute,
and note the importance of the polarity of a water molecule).
12. Define acid, base, salt and pH.
13. Explain why acid-base balance is important for living systems, note the importance of buffers in the
maintenance of the this balance.
Organic Compounds:
14. Define functional group (give a couple of examples, note I do not expect you to remember the entire
chemical structure of the functional groups, however, you might note the structure of the alcohol group –
OH).
15. Define the following macromolecules, polymers, monomers, dehydration synthesis and condensation
reaction.
16. Identify the building blocks of carbohydrates and differentiate between monosaccharides, disaccharides,
and polysaccharides.
17. Identify the building blocks of lipids and differentiate among simple lipids, complex lipids, and steroids.
18. Identify the building blocks and structure of proteins (describe the 4 different structural levels).
19. Identify the building blocks of nucleic acids.
20. Differentiate between purines and pyridines.
21. Differentiate between DNA and RNA and their respective functions in the human body.
22. Describe the role of ATP in cellular activities.