Water, Salts, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic Acids: Functions
Key Biological Molecules and Their Functions
Water is the most abundant molecule in living things, generally comprising about 75% of weight. Chemically, it’s a molecule formed by one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. Due to oxygen’s electronegativity, the molecule has a region of negative charge around the oxygen and positive charges around the hydrogens. This bipolar nature causes water molecules to bond with each other and other molecules through electrostatic interactions, known as hydrogen
Read MoreAtomic Theory: From Democritus to Modern Understanding
Atomic Theory: A Historical Perspective
Democritus: Postulated the existence of atoms, suggesting that matter is discrete.
Aristotle: Denied the existence of atoms, proposing that matter is continuous.
Lavoisier (1777): Using a scale, he measured mass by weighing and established the Law of Conservation of Mass.
Mass and energy are related: E = mc² (Energy can be converted to mass and vice versa).
Dalton’s Atomic Theory (1880)
John Dalton postulated:
- Matter consists of atoms, which are structural units
Understanding Matter: Properties, Changes, and Separation Techniques
Understanding Matter: Properties, Changes, and Separation
Matter is anything made of atoms and molecules. It has mass and occupies volume. Matter possesses general and characteristic properties, such as boiling and melting temperatures. A material system is a piece of matter that can be separated for experimental study.
States of Matter
- Solid: Fixed mass, volume, and shape. Solids cannot flow (e.g., ice, iron).
- Liquid: Fixed mass and volume, but variable shape. Liquids can flow (e.g., water, gasoline)
Understanding Chemical Reactions and Thermodynamics
Test Results
- When two or more pure substances mix to form a gas or solution, absorption or release of heat occurs; this is called a reaction.
- Calor (This seems to be an error, likely intended to be ‘Specific Heat’). Specific Heat is the ratio of the specific heat capacity of a substance to the heat capacity of water, the latter measured at a temperature close to 17°C. Correct
- The energy balance is: energy that accumulates within the system, less energy consumed within the system. Correct
- The energy
Chemical and Physical Changes: Reactions and Laws
Physical Changes
Physical changes occur when some properties change, but the substances remain the same.
Chemical Changes
Chemical changes occur when some substances are transformed into others. There is an exchange of energy.
Causes of Chemical Bonds
The causes of chemical bonds are electromagnetic forces.
Chemical Reaction
A chemical reaction is the process by which chemical changes occur.
Chemical Links
Interactions are produced by electrons:
- Ionic Bond: Metal + Non-metal. The non-metal loses electrons,
Essential Laboratory Equipment and Techniques
Essential Laboratory Equipment
Measuring Devices
- Graduated cylinder: Measures volumes of liquids.
- Pipette (Total): Measures a precise volume of liquid for transfer.
- Pipette (Partial): Measures partial volumes of liquids.
- Burette: Measures the exact volume of a solution.
- Thermometer: Measures temperatures.
- Precision Balance: Measures masses of solid substances.
Containers and Supports
- Porcelain: Used to heat, melt, or evaporate solids or liquids.
- Florence flask: Heats liquids, directing vapors along a specific