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Questions and Answers
What is the unique property of carbon that allows it to form bonds with itself in various structures?
What is the unique property of carbon that allows it to form bonds with itself in various structures?
Why are Si-Si bonds weaker than C-C bonds?
Why are Si-Si bonds weaker than C-C bonds?
What is the reason for the lower bond energy of N-N bonds compared to C-C bonds?
What is the reason for the lower bond energy of N-N bonds compared to C-C bonds?
What is the term for the ability of an element to form three or more bonds and produce chains of covalent bonds?
What is the term for the ability of an element to form three or more bonds and produce chains of covalent bonds?
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Which of the following elements can produce three or more bonds and form chains of covalent bonds?
Which of the following elements can produce three or more bonds and form chains of covalent bonds?
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What is the term for the combining power of an element?
What is the term for the combining power of an element?
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What is the primary use of cyclotrons in producing high-energy particles?
What is the primary use of cyclotrons in producing high-energy particles?
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How many elements are recognized as essential to cells?
How many elements are recognized as essential to cells?
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What percentage of the mass of most cells is made up of 6 elements?
What percentage of the mass of most cells is made up of 6 elements?
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What is the most versatile and predominant element in cells?
What is the most versatile and predominant element in cells?
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What type of bonds can the major elements form?
What type of bonds can the major elements form?
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What is similar between the composition of the Earth and its atmosphere compared to the human body?
What is similar between the composition of the Earth and its atmosphere compared to the human body?
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What percentage of groups on the periodic table have their representatives in living cells?
What percentage of groups on the periodic table have their representatives in living cells?
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Why are f-block elements excluded from living cells?
Why are f-block elements excluded from living cells?
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Why are elements with atomic numbers above 92 excluded from living cells?
Why are elements with atomic numbers above 92 excluded from living cells?
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What is the reason for the exclusion of lead from living cells?
What is the reason for the exclusion of lead from living cells?
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Why are rare gases like helium and neon excluded from living cells?
Why are rare gases like helium and neon excluded from living cells?
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What is a beneficial use of radioactive elements in living cells?
What is a beneficial use of radioactive elements in living cells?
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What is the name of the course instructor for BIOL 157: Biological Chemistry?
What is the name of the course instructor for BIOL 157: Biological Chemistry?
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What is the definition of a living cell?
What is the definition of a living cell?
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What are the building blocks of an organism?
What are the building blocks of an organism?
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How were elements formed according to the Big Bang Theory?
How were elements formed according to the Big Bang Theory?
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What is required for the formation of elements in the core of stars?
What is required for the formation of elements in the core of stars?
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What is the largest atom that can be formed from nuclear fusion reaction?
What is the largest atom that can be formed from nuclear fusion reaction?
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How are elements with odd mass numbers produced?
How are elements with odd mass numbers produced?
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What is the name of the process that occurs when the nuclei of Fe atoms capture neutrons resulting from the explosion of a star?
What is the name of the process that occurs when the nuclei of Fe atoms capture neutrons resulting from the explosion of a star?
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Why is carbon unique in its ability to form many compounds?
Why is carbon unique in its ability to form many compounds?
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What is the name of the process by which new elements with atomic numbers beyond 92 are synthesised in the laboratory?
What is the name of the process by which new elements with atomic numbers beyond 92 are synthesised in the laboratory?
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Study Notes
Carbon's Unique Properties
- Carbon has an ideal size, allowing it to form stable covalent bonds.
- Carbon has the power of catenation, forming bonds with itself in straight chains, branches, or rings.
- Carbon can form multiple bonds with itself or other elements, providing a variety of organic compounds.
- Carbon has tetravalency.
Comparison with Other Elements
- Silicon is a congener of carbon, but Si-Si bonds are weak due to its larger atomic size.
- Boron has three valence electrons, forming electron-deficient compounds that limit boron compounds' stability.
- Nitrogen has five valence electrons, with a relatively lower bond energy due to lone pair electrons.
Elements in Cells
- About 32 elements are recognized as essential to cells.
- Over 99% of cell mass is made up of six major/bulk elements: C, H, O, N, P, and S.
- Carbon is the most versatile and predominant in the cell.
- Minor or trace elements include Na, Mg, Ca, B, V, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Si, Se, Cl, Cr, and I.
Features of Major Elements
- They are mostly p-block elements.
- They can form covalent bonds.
- They are non-metals.
- They have smaller atomic sizes or numbers.
- They are neither too reactive nor inert (unreactive).
Functions of Minerals in the Body
- Various minerals have distinct functions in the body.
Factors for Inclusion of Elements in Cells
- The composition of the Earth and its atmosphere is similar to that of the human body.
- Chemical democracy: almost every group on the periodic table has its representative in living cells.
Factors for Exclusion of Elements in the Cells
- Artificial nature: elements with atomic numbers above 92 are made.
- Inert nature: rare gases and scarce elements like actinides and lanthanides.
- Toxic nature: certain elements can cause harm to cells.
- Radioactive nature: radioactive elements give off particles or radiations that could harm cells.
Origin of Elements
- The Big Bang theory: elements are believed to be formed from an infinitely hot and dense ball of primordial matter.
- Fusion reactions in stars (Stellar hypothesis): elements other than hydrogen and helium were formed in the center of stars and released upon their explosion.
- Artificial synthesis (laboratory synthesis): new elements with atomic numbers beyond 92 have been synthesized in the laboratory.
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Description
This quiz covers the elemental composition of cells, including the origin of elements and the identification of elements that constitute cells. It's based on a lecture by Seth Agyei Domfeh at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Test your knowledge of biological chemistry!
