Chapter 2 – Atoms, Molecules

and Life
• 2.1 What Are Atoms?

• 2.2 How Do Atoms Interact to Form

Molecules?

• 2.3 Why Is Water So Important to Life?

 2.1 What Are Atoms?
• Atoms are the fundamental structural
units of matter

• Atoms are composed of a nucleus,

protons, neutrons and electrons

• We use models to simplify talking about

atoms
 electron
shell e-
e-

p+
p+ p+ n
n

nucleus e-
Hydrogen (H) Helium (He)
 Radioactivity in Research
• Isotope is a form of an element where
there is a different number of neutrons
than protons

• Some isotopes are radioactive which

means the nucleus is unstable and will
break down releasing radiation
 detector ring

PET = positron emission tomography

 Atoms
• Positive and negative attract

• Electrons are in held around the

nucleus in “shells”

• The first “shell” holds two electrons

• The next “shells” hold eight electrons

Copyright © 2005 Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc.
 Energy Capture and Release

• Life depends on electrons capturing and

releasing energy
– Electron shells correspond to energy levels
– Energy exciting an atom causes an electron
jump from a lower- to higher-energy shell
– Later, the electron falls back into its original
shell, releasing the energy

Copyright © 2005 Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc.

Copyright © 2005 Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc.
Copyright © 2005 Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc.
Copyright © 2005 Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc.
2.2 How Do Atoms Interact to
Form Molecules?
• A molecule consists of two or more
atoms of the same or different elements

• A compound means two different

elements

• Inert vs. reactive

 electron
shell e-
e-

p+
p+ p+ n
n

nucleus e-
Hydrogen (H) Helium (He)

Reactive Inert (Nobel Gases)

 2.2 How Do Atoms Interact to
Form Molecules?
• Chemical bonds are atoms gaining
stability by losing, gaining or sharing
electrons

• Chemical bonds are attractive forces

• Chemical reactions are the making or

breaking of chemical bonds
 Na Cl

Sodium atom (neutral) Chlorine atom (neutral)

11p+
11n
17p+
18n
• Atoms that have
lost or gained 1 or 2
electrons are
Na+ Cl–
Sodium ion (+) Chloride ion (–)
charged and called
ions
11p+ 17p+
11n 18n

• Ions interact to
form ionic bonds
Na+
Cl–

An ionic compound: NaCl

2.2 How Do Atoms Interact to
Form Molecules?
• Uncharged atoms can become stable
by sharing electrons, forming covalent
bonds

• Covalent bonds vary in strength but are

always stronger than ionic bonds

• Nonpolar vs. polar covalent bonds

Nonpolar covalent bonding

Hydrogen (H–H or H2)

8p+ 8p+
8n 8n

Oxygen (O=O or O2)

Polar covalent bonding

(slightly negative)

8p+
8n

(slightly positive)

Water (H–O–H or H2O)

 Free Radicals
• A molecule with an unpaired electron

• Steals electrons from other molecules

• Free radicals contribute to cancer and

Alzheimer’s disease

• Free radicals can be increased by

exposure to the sun (radiation) and
many chemicals
 Antioxidants
• React with free radicals to render them
harmless

• Vitamin C and Vitamin E

• Many can be found in a healthy diet

• Your risk of cancer can be lowered 50%

simply by eating 5 fruits and veggies a
day
 O
H (–)
(+)
H
(+)
H
(+) O
(–)

H
(+)
hydrogen
bonds
 2.3 Why Is Water So Important
to Life?
• Water interacts with many other
molecules

• A solvent is capable of dissolving a

wide range of substances

• Water is a polar solvent and can

dissolve proteins, salts and sugars
 Na+ solutes
H
Cl–
H O–

Cl–

H H
Na+
O

Na+
solution Water as a solvent
 Polar vs. Nonpolar
• Ions and polar molecules are
hydrophilic (Greek for “water-loving”)

• Uncharged and nonpolar molecules are

hydrophobic (“water-fearing”)

• Think of oil and vinegar

Copyright © 2005 Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc.
 water
hydrogen bond
glucose

hydroxyl
group
 2.3 Why Is Water So
Important to Life?
• Cohesion is the tendency of molecules
to stick together

• Water’s high cohesion creates surface

tension

• (Water also has a high specific heat)

 (–)
(+)
O O + H

H H H

water hydroxide ion hydrogen ion

(H2O) (OH–) (H+)
2.3 Why Is Water So Important to
Life?
• Water-Based Solutions Can Be Acidic,
Basic, or Neutral

– If H+ exceeds OH-, the solution is acidic

– If OH- exceeds H+, the solution is basic

– If they are equal, the solution is neutral

H+ concentration pH
(moles/liter) value

100 0 1-molar hydrochloric

acid (HCI)

10–1 1 stomach acid

lime juice

increasingly acidic (H+ > OH–)

10–2 2 lemon juice

10–3 3 "acid rain" (2.5–5.5)

vinegar, cola, orange juice,
tomatoes
10–4 4 beer

10–5 5 black coffee, tea

normal rain (5.6)
–6 urine (5.7)
10 6

neutral
10–7 7 pure water (7.0)
(H+ = OH–)
saliva
blood, sweat (7.4)
10–8 8 seawater (7.8–8.3)

–9
10–9 9 baking soda
increasingly basic (H+ < OH–)

–10
10–10 10 phosphate detergents
chlorine bleach
milk of magnesia
–11
10–11 11 household ammonia
some detergents
(without phosphates)
–12
10–12 12 washing soda

–13
10–13 13 oven cleaner

10–14 14 1-molar sodium

hydroxide (NaOH)
 2.3 Why Is Water So
Important to Life?
• A buffer helps maintain a solution at a
relatively constant pH (homeostatis)

• Water moderates the effects of temperature

changes (due to high specific heat)

• 1 calorie of energy will rise the temperature

of water 1 ºC (only 0.6 calories are needed
for alcohol, 0.2 for salt, 0.02 for granite)
Water forms an unusual solid -> ICE