Module 5 The Chemistry of Life

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space

model

explanation or representation of something that cannot be seen

Element

A collection of atoms that all have the same number of protons.

Molecules

Chemicals that result from atoms linking together

physical change

A change that affects the appearance but not the chemical makeup of a substance.

chemical change

A change that alters the makeup of the elements or molecules of a substance.

phase

One of the three forms--solid, liquid, or gas--which every substance is capable of attaining.

Diffusion

The random motion of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Concentration

A measurement of how much solute exists within a certain volume of solvent

semipermeable membrane

A membrane that allows some molecules to pass through but does not allow other molecules to pass through.

Osmosis

The tendency of a solvent to travel across a semipermeable membrane into areas of higher solute concentration.

catalyst

A substance that alters the speed of a chemical reaction but is not used up in the process.

organic molecules

A molecule that contains only carbon and any of the following: hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and/or phosphorous.

Isomers

Two different molecules that have the same chemical formula

Monosaccharides

Simple carbohydrates that contain 3 to 10 carbon atoms.

Dissacharides

Carbohydrates that are made up of two or more monosaccharides

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates that are made up of more than two monosaccharides

dehydration reaction

A chemical reaction in which molecules combine by removing water

Hydrolysis

Breaking down complex molecules by the chemical addition of water

Hydrophobic

Lacking any affinity to water.

saturated fats

A lipid made from fatty acids that have no double bonds between carbon atoms

unsaturated fats

A lipid made from fatty acids that have at least one double bond between carbon atoms.

peptide bond

Bonds that connect amino acids.

hydrogen bond

A strong attraction between hydrogen atoms and certain other atoms (usually oxygen or nitrogen) in specific molecules.

Biosynthesis

The process by which living organisms produce larger molecules from smaller ones.