Chemistry

Elements

Substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances

Oxygen

Element used to build biological molecules and form storage compounds

Carbon

Element used to build biological molecules and form storage compounds

Hydrogen

Element used to build biological molecules and form storage compounds

Nitrogen

Element used to build biological molecules and form storage compounds

Trace elements

Elements required by an organism in very small quantities

Iron

Trace element required by an organism in very small quantities

Iodine

Trace element required by an organism in very small quantities

Copper

Trace element required by an organism in very small quantities

Subatomic particles

Protons, neutrons, and electrons that make up atoms

Protons

Positively charged particles in an atom

Neutrons

Uncharged particles in an atom

Electrons

Negatively charged particles in an atom

Isotopes

Atoms with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons

Compounds

Consist of two or more elements held together by chemical bonds

Ionic bond

Formed when one or more electrons are transferred between atoms

Covalent bond

Formed when electrons are shared between atoms

Non-polar covalent bond

Covalent bond where electrons are shared equally between atoms

Polar covalent bond

Covalent bond where electrons are shared unequally between atoms

Water

Versatile molecule with special properties like cohesion and adhesion

Hydrogen bonds

Weak chemical bonds that hold water molecules together

Cohesion

Tendency of water molecules to stick together

Adhesion

Tendency of water molecules to stick to other substances

Capillary action

Ability of water to rise up the roots, trunks, and branches of trees

Surface tension

Property of water where the surface has tension and light things can sit atop

Acids

Substances that release a lot of hydrogen ions in water

Bases

Substances that release a lot of hydroxide ions in water

pH scale

Scale used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a solution

Organic molecules

Molecules with carbon that are important for life

Inorganic compounds

Molecules that do not contain carbon atoms

Polymers

Chains of building blocks in macromolecules

Monomers

Individual building blocks of a polymer

Dehydration synthesis

Reaction where a water molecule is lost and a larger compound is formed

Hydrolysis

Process of breaking down polymers into monomers using water

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds central to life on Earth

Proteins

Organic compounds central to life on Earth

Lipids

Organic compounds central to life on Earth

Nucleic acids

Organic compounds central to life on Earth