Chemistry of Life Chapter 2

Study Notes

Chemistry of Life

Chemistry involves the study of atoms and elements, serving as fundamental to understanding biological processes.
Matter consists of elements, which cannot be chemically broken down into simpler substances.
There are 118 defined elements, with 92 occurring naturally and fewer than 30 present in living cells.
26 elements are unstable or theoretical and have not been detected.

Atoms

Atoms are the smallest units of an element, retaining all chemical properties of that element.
Electrons, protons, and neutrons are the primary subatomic particles in atoms.
Neutral atoms have equal numbers of protons and electrons; an unequal number results in ions.

Chemical Bonds

Atoms form chemical bonds to achieve a stable, low-energy state.
Types of chemical bonds include:
- Ionic bonds
- Covalent bonds
- Hydrogen bonds
- Van der Waals interactions

Ionic Bonds

Formed between ions of opposite charges through the transfer of electrons.
Positive ions (cations) result from losing electrons, while negative ions (anions) result from gaining electrons.
Example: Sodium (Na) donates one electron to Chlorine (Cl), resulting in Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions.

Covalent Bonds

Formed when electrons are shared between atoms, making them the strongest and most prevalent bonds in living organisms.
Two types of covalent bonds:
- Polar covalent bonds: Electrons are unequally shared, spending more time near one atom.
- Nonpolar covalent bonds: Electrons are equally shared between same-type atoms.

Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of the chemistry of life in this quiz based on Chapter 2. You'll examine the relationships between matter, elements, and atomic particles. By the end of the quiz, you will have a clearer understanding of how protons, neutrons, and electrons interact in chemical processes.