Chemistry Basics
What is matter?
Matter makes up everything that takes up space and has mass
What is a compound?
multiple atoms of different elements bonding together
What kind of energy do carbohydrates provide?
Quick/fast source of energy (generally, there can be some storage)
What are the two types of nucleic acids?
DNA and RNA
what are stimulus and response?
A stimulus is something that causes a response, while a response is how an organism reacts to a stimulus.
What is the difference between atoms and molecules?
An atom is the smallest unit of an element, while a molecule is a combination of two or more atoms
What is a chemical reaction?
the making, breaking, and rearranging of chemical bonds between atoms, usually resulting in a compound
What elements must an organic molecule contain?
organic molecules contain carbon (C ), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) (+ others!)
What are proteins made of?
Amino acids
What does it mean that living things gather matter and energy?
Plants get energy from photosynthesis; while animals and humans get it from their food.
Name the characteristics of each of the three phases of matter
Solids have closely-held molecules and keep their shape, liquids keep the same volume but fill their container, and gas has no fixed volume or shape.
What is a chemical formula?
Chemical formulas are the ratios in which atoms combine to form a certain element or compoun
Ex. Water = H₂0 = two hydrogen atoms, one oxygen atom
Name and describe the two types of carbohydrates
Sugars: simple carbohydrates, such as glucose
Starches: complex carbohydrates consisting of many combined sugars (ex potato)
What do living things use proteins for?
the growth and repair of tissue and other materials (building muscle, forming the structure for skin/nails/hair, etc)
What do we mean when we say that individual living things are organized?
Atoms inside living things form molecules, which form cells that are specialized for different purposes.
Specialized cells form tissues, which form organs, which form organ systems, which all work together in the body.
Name and describe the particles inside of an atom.
Protons: positively-charged particles located in the nucleus
Neutrons: zero-charge particles located in the nucleus
Electrons: negatively-charged particles located outside the nucleus
Describe the unique chemistry of water
Water is a polar molecule, meaning that one side has a positive electric charge and the other side has a negative electric charge.
Name 2 ways animals use lipids
Any of these work
Lipids provide organisms with insulation, protective cushion, vitamin storage, and storing energy for long periods of time (emphasis on this one)
Name the letters of the four nitrogenous bases used in DNA, as well as the ones used in RNA
DNA: A, C, G, T
RNA: A, C, G, U
Where in the body is DNA located?
A complete version of your DNA is located in every cell in your body
What is an element's atomic number?
Bonus: How is it used to organize the periodic table?
number of protons in each of that element’s atoms
the periodic table is organized with the lowest atomic number at the top and the highest at the bottom
Name two ways that water's chemical makeup allows it to uniquely support life.
Any two of these:
- Water is the world’s best solvent
- Water displays capillary action (draws itself up a tube), helping plants to absorb it through their roots.
- Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it can absorb a lot of heat without becoming too hot itself.
- Water expands when it freezes, making ice less dense than liquid water and causing it to float
- Water also has a high heat of vaporization, surface tension, and heat of fusion
What are phospholipids?
a type of lipid that form cell membranes: one end is polar, one end is nonpolar
What are the three components of a nucleotide?
one simple sugar, one phosphate group, and one nitrogenous base
Why is it important for living things to be able to adapt to their environment?
Environments change, so living things adapt to those changes or gain a new trait to do so. If they are unable to carry this out, living things may not be able to survive in a new version of their environment