Chapter Objectives: Chapters 2 & 3 Basic Chemistry
1. Define element and compound
2. State four elements essential to life that make up 96% of living matter
3. Describe the structure of an atom
4. Define and distinguish among atomic number, mass number, atomic weight, and valence
5. Given the atomic number and mass number of an atom, determine the number of neutrons
6. Explain why radioisotpoes are important to biologists
7. Explain the octet rule and predict ho many bonds an atom might form
8. Explain why the noble gases are unreactive
9. Distinguish among nonpolar covalent, polar covalent, and ionic bonds
10. Describe the formation of a hydrogen bond and explain how it differs from a covalent or
ionic bond
11. Explain why weak bonds are important to living organisms
12. Describe how the relative concentrations of reactants and products affect a chemical
reaction ******
13. Describe how water contributes to the fitness of the environment to support life
14. Describe the structure and geometry of a water molecule and explain properties that
emerge as a
result of this structure
15. Explain the relationship between the polar nature of water and its ability to form
hydrogen bonds
16. List 5 characteristics of water that are emergent properties resulting from hydrogen
bonding
17. Describe the biological significance of the cohesiveness of water
18. Distinguish between heat and temperature
19. Explain how water's high specific heat, high heat of vaporization, and expansion upon
freezing affect
both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
20. Explain the basis for the pH scale
21. Explain how acids and bases affect the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution
22. Explain how buffers work....use the bicarbonate buffer system as an example
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Chapter Terms:
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matter
element
trace element
atom
neutron
proton
electron
atomic nucleus
dalton
atomic number
mass number
atomic weight
isotope
radioactive
isotope
energy
kinetic energy
potential energy
energy level
electron shell
orbital
valence electron
valence shell
valence
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chemical bond
covalent bond
molecule
structural
formula
molecular
formula
covalent bond
double covalent
bond
nonpolar
covalent bond
polar covalent
bond
ion
cation
anion
ionic bond
hydrogen bond
chemical
reactions
reactants
products
chemical
equilibrium
polar molecule
cohesion
adhesion
surface tension
heat
temperature
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Celsius scale
calorie
kilocalorie
joule
specific heat
evaporative
cooling
solution
solute
solvent
aqueous solution
hydrophilic
hydrophobic
molecular
weight
hydrogen ion
hydroxide ion
acid
base
pH scale
buffer
acid
precipitation
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Chapter Outline Framework
A. Chemical Elements and Compounds
1. Matter consists of chemical elements in pure form and in combinations called
compounds
2. Life requires about 25 chemical elements
B. Atoms and Molecules
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Atomic structure determines the behavior of an element
Atoms combine by chemical bonding to form molecules
Weak chemical bonds play important roles in the chemistry of life
A molecule's biological function is related to its shape
Chemical reactions make and break chemical bonds
C. Water's Polarity and Its Effects
1. The polarity of water molecules results in hydrogen bonding
2. Organisms depend on the cohesion of water molecules
3. Water moderates temperatures on earth
1. heat and temperature
2. high specific heat
3. evaporative cooling
4. Oceans and lakes don't freeze solid because ice floats
5. Water is the solvent of life
D. The Dissociation of Water
1. Organisms are sensitive to changes in pH
1. the pH scale
2. acids
3. bases
4. buffers
E. Acid Precipitation Threatens the Fitness of the Environment