Chemistry Concepts in Atomic Structure

Atomic Structure

• Atomic number = number of protons, defines the element
• Mass number = protons + neutrons, defines the isotope
• For a neutral atom, number of electrons = number of protons

Methane vs. Water

• Methane is nonpolar due to its symmetrical shape, allowing charge differences to cancel out.
• Water is polar because its bent shape and electronegativity difference create an uneven charge distribution, so no canceling.

Water and Evaporation Cooling

• Spraying water on your skin promotes evaporation, effectively cooling your body.
• Water evaporation removes heat from your body, resulting in a cooling sensation.

pH Scale

• A change in concentration of 100 equals a change of 2 on the pH scale.
• pH 2 is 100 times more acidic than pH 4.
• A pH of 5 to 7 is becoming more basic by a factor of 100.

Carbon Properties

• Carbon has 4 valence electrons, allowing it to form covalent bonds with other atoms.
• Carbon can form long chains, branched chains, or rings.
• Carbon skeletons can be modified with functional groups leading to various properties and reactivity.
• Carbon is strong and stable which allows for carbon compounds.

Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fatty Acids

• Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds, straight chain, solid at room temperature, fully saturated with hydrogen
• Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds, bent chains, liquid at room temperature, not fully saturated with hydrogen.

Nucleotide Components

• Nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base (purine or pyrimidine).
• A pentose sugar (deoxyribose in DNA or ribose in RNA)
• And a phosphate group.

Cell Theory

• All living organisms are composed of cells.
• The cell is the basic unit of structure and organization in organisms.
• All cells come from preexisting cells.

Surface Area to Volume Ratio

• A large surface-area-to-volume ratio is needed for proper cell functioning
• This high ratio enhances efficiency of material exchange, metabolic processes, temperature regulation, growth, and division improving cell signaling.

Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

• Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, single circular DNA.
• Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, multiple linear DNA.

Organelles & Cellular Efficiency

• Organelles compartmentalize processes, enabling specialized functions within the cell, increasing efficiency.
• Organelles increase cell efficiency by increasing the surface area for reactions, efficient resource management, localized reactions, energy production and thus supporting the overall function and survival of the organism.
• Nuclear pores regulate the transport of molecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm, crucial for cellular functions.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

• Rough ER is studded with ribosomes, involved in protein synthesis and modification.
• Smooth ER lacks ribosomes, involved in lipid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium storage.
• Golgi apparatus processes and packages proteins, modifies and sorts proteins, and forms lysosomes.

Fluid Mosaic Model

• Proteins play a crucial role in the structure and function of the cell membrane
• Proteins are involved in: Transporting substances in and out
• Enabling cell recognition and communication.
• Receiving signals to trigger cell responses.
• Providing structural support.
• Cell transport of polar and nonpolar molecules
• Nonpolar molecules pass directly through the phospholipid bilayer, whereas polar molecules use specific protein channels.

Cell Solutions

• A hypertonic solution has a higher solute concentration compared to the cell, causing water to move out of the cell, resulting in the cell shrinking.
• A hypotonic solution has a lower solute concentration compared to the cell, causing water to move into the cell, resulting in the cell swelling or bursting.
• An isotonic solution has an equal solute concentration compared to the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Bulk Transport

• Cells use bulk transport rather than active transport for large quantities or complex structures, improving energy efficiency, and utilizing processes like endocytosis and exocytosis.

This quiz covers important concepts in chemistry, including atomic structure, the properties of molecules like water and methane, and the pH scale. Explore how these fundamentals apply to real-world scenarios such as evaporation cooling and carbon bonding.