Atoms, Molecules,

Formula and Mixtures

Assist. Prof. Dr. Rana

Al-Obaidi
PhD Biochemistry
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THE ATOM

Assit. Prof. Dr. Rana M. Al-Obaidi

►Just like cells are the basic unit of life, the ATOM is the
basic unit of matter.
►They are very small. If placed side by side one million
would stretch a distance of 1cm.
►The atom is made up of 3 particles.
Particle Charge
PROTON +

NEUTRON NEUTRAL

ELECTRON -
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►Electrons
are not present within the atom, instead THEY
REVOLVE AROUND THE NUCELUS OF THE ATOM

Assit. Prof. Dr. Rana M. Al-Obaidi

& FORM THE ELECTRON CLOUD
►Draw a helium atom. Indicate where the protons,
neutrons and electrons are.

NEUTRONS
PROTONS
- ATOMIC # = 2
+ +
(PROTONS)
ELECTRONS -
ATOMIC MASS = 4
(PROTONS &
NEUTRONS)
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ISOTOPES

Assit. Prof. Dr. Rana M. Al-Obaidi

► atoms of the same element that HAVE A DIFFERENT
NUMBER OF NEUTRONS
► C=C12, C13, C14 / neutrons =6,7,8.
► Some isotopes are radioactive. This means that their
nuclei is unstable and will break down at a CONSTANT
RATE over time.
► There are several practical uses for radioactive isotopes:
1. CARBON DATING
2. TRACERS
3. KILL BACTERIA / CANCER CELLS
 COMPOUNDS 5

Assit. Prof. Dr. Rana M. Al-Obaidi

A substance formed by the chemical
combination of 2 or more elements in
definite proportions
►Ex: water, salt, glucose, carbon
dioxide
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Assit. Prof. Dr. Rana M. Al-Obaidi

►The cell is a COMPLEX CHEMICAL
FACTORY containing some of the same
elements found in the nonliving
environment.
►carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O),
and nitrogen (N) are present in the
greatest percentages
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TWO TYPES OF COMPOUNDS

Assit. Prof. Dr. Rana M. Al-Obaidi

► Organic - Contain C, H, and O in some ratio
(usually referred to as chemicals of life)
► Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids

► Inorganic - usually "support" life - no

specific ratio of C, H, and O
► Water (H2O), Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
 MIXTURES 8

►Water is not always pure. It is often found as part of a

Assit. Prof. Dr. Rana M. Al-Obaidi

mixture.
►Amixture is a material composed of TWO OR MORE
ELEMENTS OR COMPOUNDS THAT ARE
PHYSICALLY MIXED
► Ex: salt & pepper mixed, sugar and sand – can be
easily separated
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SOLUTION

Assit. Prof. Dr. Rana M. Al-Obaidi

Two parts:
►SOLUTE – SUBSTANCE THAT IS BEING
DISSOLVED (SUGAR / SALT)
►SOLVENT - the substance in which the solute dissolves
►Materials
that do not dissolve are known as
SUSPENSIONS.
► Blood is the most common example of a suspension.
► Cells & other particles remain in suspension.
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FORMULA

Assit. Prof. Dr. Rana M. Al-Obaidi

The chemical symbols and numbers that compose a
compound ("recipe")

Molecular Formula the ACTUAL

formula for a compound
C2H6
O
Structural Formula – Line
drawings of the compound that
shows the elements in proportion
and how they are bonded