Chapter 2A: Chemistry of Life

Introduction
What does the introduction state will be discussed in this chapter?
Dont forget to highlight or change the color of your answers

What does the introduction state you will learn in this chapter?

2.1 The Building Blocks of Molecules

Atoms
In the middle column find the text books definition of each term. In the last column define the terms using your own or
simpler wording.

Definition of the term Briefly define using your own words

Matter

Element

Atoms

Protons

Electron

Neutron

Atomic number

Atomic mass (mass

number)

Periodic Table of
the Elements

Isotopes

Radioisotope

1
Periodic Table of the Elements
Find carbon in Figure 2.3 and answer the following questions. (Hint: use the example of hydrogen under the
table)

What is the atomic number of carbon?

What is the symbol for carbon?

What is the relative atomic mass for carbon?

Chemical Bonds

How elements/atoms interact with one another depends on

1.

2.

Each energy level forms a _________ around the nucleus of an atom

Shells hold up to a specific number of electrons.

How many electrons can the shell closest to the nucleus hold (also referred to as the lowest shell)?

Which two elements only have electrons in the lowest shell?

How many electrons can the second and third energy levels hold?

Not all elements have ____________________ electrons to fill their outermost shells, but an atom is at its most
____________________ when all of the electron positions in the outermost shell are ____________________.
Because of these ____________________ in the ____________________ shells, we see the formation of
____________________ ____________________, or interactions between two or more of the same or
different elements that result in the formation of ____________________. To achieve greater ______________,
atoms will tend to ____________________ fill their outer shells and will ____________________ with other
elements to accomplish this goal by ____________________ electrons, ____________________ electrons from
another atom, or ____________________ electrons to another atom. Because the outermost
____________________ of the elements with low atomic numbers (up to calcium, with atomic number 20) can
hold ____________________ electrons, this is referred to as the ____________________ rule. An element can
____________________ , ____________________ , or ____________________ electrons with other elements
to fill its outer shell and satisfy the octet rule.

What are the three things an atom can do to fill its outer shell and satisfy the octet rule?

Choose the best matches for each of the following:

_____ Ion A. An atom that has gained electrons and has a negative charge
_____ Cation B. An atom that does not contain equal numbers of protons and electrons
_____ Anion C. An atom that has lost electrons and has a positive charge

2
Read about sodium and chlorine atoms losing and gaining electrons. Then for each of the following atoms indicate if the
atom is more likely to gain or lose electrons, how many electrons, and the final charge. The first is done as an example.

Atom Gain or lose electrons? How many electrons What will be the ions
(Which is the easiest way to have 8 will it gain or lose? charge?
electrons in the outermost level)
(octet rule)

Lose One +
(it only has one electron in (there is only one electron in (positive: lost one negative
the second level. It is easier the second level) charge, so there are now 3 +
to give it away than to gain charges and only 2
7 more) charges)
Lithium

Fluorine

Neon

Calcium

Sulfur

3
Definitions
Ionic bond

Covalent bond

Polar molecule

Non-polar molecule

Hydrogen bond

van der Waals Interactions

For each of the following, choose the most appropriate type of bond from the list provided. Some answers may be used
more than once.
A. ionic bond B. covalent bonds C. hydrogen bonds D. van der Waals E. All of these

______ 1. These are found in biological molecules

______ 2. Occurs when one atom loses its electrons to another atom

______ 3. Weak attraction caused by temporary partial charges

______ 4. Atoms in this bond stay together due to a strong electrical attraction

______ 5. May be either polar or nonpolar

______ 6. Does not form molecules from atoms, but rather forms between molecules

______ 7. Do not dissociate in water

______ 8. Formed between the polar regions of two molecules

______ 9. Formed by the sharing of electrons

4
2.2 Water

The properties of water include polarity, temperature stabilizing, solvent, and cohesion

Describe the polarity of the water molecule

Definitions
Hydrophilic

Hydrophobic

Describe waters temperature stabilizing property

What is one example of how this is used by a living organism (including humans)

Definitions
Temperature

Describe waters solvent property

What is one example of how this is used by a living organism (including humans)

Definitions
Solvent

Solutes
5
Describe waters cohesive property

What is one example of how this is used by a living organism (including humans)

Definitions
Cohesion

Surface tension

Adhesion

Buffers, pH, Acids, and Bases: Match the following

1. _____ OH- A. A sometimes irreversible state of unconsciousness

2. _____ acids B. A way to measure the relative amount of hydrogen ions in solutions

3. _____ pH scale C. Hydroxide ion

4. _____ buffer systems D. Substances that accept H+ when dissolved in water

5. _____ H+ E. Lemon juice, gastric fluid, coffee

6. _____ bases F. Substances that donate H+ when dissolved in water

7. _____ examples of basic solutions G. A partnership between a weak acid and the base that forms when it
dissolves in water; counters slight pH shifts

8. _____ coma H. Hydrogen ion or proton

9. _____ examples of acid solutions I. Baking soda, seawater, egg white