Atoms, Matter and Inorganic Compounds

• All things are made of matter.
• Chemistry studies the substances matter is made of and how they react.

Atoms and Matter

• Atoms are the smallest particles of matter.
• Matter takes up space and has mass.
• Elements contain only one kind of atom.
• Molecules are two or more atoms joined together.
• Compounds are two or more different atoms chemically joined.

Inorganic Compounds

• Inorganic compounds do NOT contain carbon-to-carbon bonds.
• They occur naturally in soil, rocks, and water.
• Inorganic compounds have very small molecules.
• Water and minerals are examples of inorganic compounds.
• Water is the most important inorganic compound because life cannot exist without it, H2O.

Minerals

• Minerals are divided into microelements, which are needed in small amounts, and macroelements, which are needed in larger amounts.
• Decomposing plant material adds minerals to the soil.
• Soils in agricultural lands often lack minerals because plant material is removed by harvesting.
• Farmers add fertilizers to the land, but excess fertilizer can be carried into streams and dams causing eutrophication.

Eutrophication

• Eutrophication occurs when high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus cause algae and phytoplankton to grow quickly.
• Eutrophication results in an algal bloom and the water turns green.
• Algae uses up the oxygen in the water rapidly.
• Submerged water plants die because sunlight cannot reach them.
• When the other plants and algae die, bacteria decompose them.
• The bacteria deplete the oxygen in the water.
• Insufficient oxygen causes fish and other animals to die which results in a dead stream/dam.

Animals and Deficiency Diseases

• Minerals required by animals should be learned off-by-heart, including their names, chemical symbols, functions and their deficiency diseases.
• Lack of calcium leads to tooth decay.
• Lack of nitrogen which is required to make protein causes Kwashiorkor.
• Lack of iodine in adults causes goitre.

Organic Compounds

• Organic compounds always contain carbon-to-carbon bonds.
• They are produced by cells, have large molecules, and contain carbon, hydrogen, and often oxygen atoms.
• Organic compounds sometimes contain atoms of other elements like nitrogen and phosphorus.
• Living organisms are generally made from organic molecules.
• Examples of organic molecules include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and vitamins.