Biochemistry

The Chemistry of Life

Matter

Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space (volume).

To determine the mass of an object you must use a triple beam balance.

To determine the volume of an object you must use a graduated cylinder.

All matter is made up of atoms

Atoms are the simplest form of matter.

Each atom consists of protons, neutrons and electrons.

Atoms

Protons and Neutrons are located in the nucleus of the atom.

Electrons orbit the nucleus.

Protons have a positive charge.

Neutrons have no charge.

Electrons have a negative charge.

The overall charge of an atoms is neutral therefore the number of electrons(-) must equal the number of protons(+).

Drawing an atom

Before Drawing an atom, you must know the following:

1. Atomic Number: the number of protons in an atom

2. Atomic Mass: the Number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

Drawing an atom

The number of electrons equals the number of protons

Atomic Number equals the number of protons.

Atomic Mass – Atomic Number equals the number of Neutrons

You can find these two things on the periodic table.

Top number is the atomic number

Bottom Number is the atomic mass(always round)

Or you can find this information

The top number is the atomic mass and the bottom number is the atomic number

25

x12

Finding the number of protons, neutrons and electrons

Place the correct number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of the atom.In the orbits surrounding the nucleus, the electrons float. In the first orbit only two electrons can stay, any other orbit can have 8.

Drawing atoms practice

Draw the atom Oxygen

Isotopes

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same atomic number but different atomic mass. Therefore the atoms have the same number of protons but different number of neutrons.

For example Carbon 12 and Carbon 14 are isotopes

Ions

An ion is when the number of electrons doesn’t equal the number of protons.When this happens the atom is no longer neutral. If there are more protons than electrons, there will be a positive charge. If there are more electrons than protons there will be a negative charge.

Chemical Bonding

Chemical Bonding is when 2 or more atoms are linked together to form a molecule.

There are two types of chemical bonds: ionic and covalent.

Ionic bonds transfer electrons to form a bond.

Covalent Bonds share electrons to form bond

Balancing Equations

When writing a chemical equation the number of elements that go into a chemical equation must equal the number of elements that come out of an equation.

6H2O + 6CO2 ----------> C6H12O6+ 6O2

The subscript(number below the element) tells how many of that element there are.

The coefficient tells how many of the molecule there is.

pH Scale

The ph scale measures the amount of acidity and alkalinity(basic) of a solution

pH Scale

The lower the number on the pH scale the more acidic.The higher the number the more alkaline(basic)7 is neutral. Pure water has a pH of 7.

Acids

Acids are compounds that donate a hydrogen ion H+. The more H+ a solution gives off the more acidic it is

Gastric Juices are a 2, while vinegar is 5

Alkaline Solutions or Bases

Alkaline solutions are compounds that donate an OH- or hydroxide ion to a solution. The more OH- donated the more alkaline the solution.

Indicators

In order to determine of something is alkaline or acidic, we use indicators. An indicator turns colors based on where the solution is on the pH scale.Litmus paper is the most common indicator. Red litmus paper turns

blue in alkaline solution.Blue litmus paper turns red in acidic solutions.

II. Water Chemistry

B. Water has many characteristics that make it vital to our bodies.– 2. _________--Hydrogen has a

slightly positive charge while oxygen has a slightly negative charge. This makes it easy for water to pry apart other charged molecules, dissolving them. Called a __________________.

Polarity

Universal Solvent

II. Water Chemistry

B. Water has many characteristics that make it vital to our bodies.– 3. _______________--Due to polarity, water

forms a crystal structure that is less dense than liquid water.

Crystal structure

II. Water Chemistry

B. Water has many characteristics that make it vital to our bodies.– 4. _____________--water absorbs and

releases heat energy slowly, and can hold a great deal of heat energy. This helps organisms maintain their body temperature in the safe range.

Heat capacity

II. Water Chemistry

B. Water has many characteristics that make it vital to our bodies.– 5. __________________--

Polarity allows water to stick to itself (cohesion) and to any charged material (adhesion). Water can glue materials together.

Cohesion & Adhesion

II. Water Chemistry

B. Water has many characteristics that make it vital to our bodies.– 6. _______--Water can act

as either an acid or a base, maintaining a stable pH in our bodies.

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