The Chemistry of

Life: Atoms and

Molecules
 Elements
Pure substances that
cannot be broken down into
simpler chemical entities by
ordinary chemical reactions.
Periodic Table 112 known elements
Major
Major Elements
Elements Comprising
Comprising
the
the Biological
Biological Molecules
Molecules of
of
Living
Living Things
Things
• Carbon
• Hydrogen
• Oxygen
• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Sulfur
 Elements & Atoms
An element is composed of atoms
(0.1-1 nm in diameter)

Atom cluster of small particles

(proton, neutron, electron)
 Subatomic Particles

Protons (p +)

Neutrons (n o)

Electrons (e -)
Electron Shell Configurations of Atoms
proton

neutron

electron

hydrogen helium
atom carbon
atom atom
1p, 0n, 1e- 2p, 2n, 2e- 6p, 6n, 6e-
atomic number: number of p;
#p = #e-

2
He2e- and 2p

He
atomic mass (atomic wt.):
sum of masses of p+n He

He 2p + 2n, atomic mass = 4

4

2
He

p+n e-
 Carbon Atom

p=
n=
e- =
Atomic number =
Atomic mass =
 Isotope
atoms that differ in
the number of
C neutrons

12 13 14

6
C 6
C 6
C
C12 C13 C14
stable stable isotope unstable- radioactive isotope
 Molecule
Two or more atoms held
together by chemical bonds
Oxygen O2
Nitrogen N2
Ammonia NH3
Carbon Dioxide CO2
Water H2 O
Methane CH4
 Binding two or more different kinds
of elements together
NaCl +

C6H12O6
 Compound
Binding two or more different kinds of
elements together

NaCl
CH4
C6H12O6
 Ion
An atom that has either
gained or lost electrons
such that it exhibits a net
charge

Na +

Cl-
Sodium (Na)
Atom

11 P+
12 No
Sodium (Na+) Ion

11 P+
12 No
Chlorine (Cl)
Atom

17 P+
18 No
Chloride (Cl-) Ion
_

17 P+
18 No
Some Examples of Ions
Hydrogen H+
Potassium K+
Fluoride F-
Calcium Ca+2
Magnesium Mg+2
 Complex Ions
Hydroxide OH-
Bicarbonate HCO3-
Nitrate NO3-
Phosphate PO4-3
Ammonium NH4+
Acetate C2H3O2-
Bond Types:
Types
• Ionic
• Covalent
• Hydrogen
 Ionic Bonds
Transfer of electron

11 P+
12 No 17 P+
18 No
Covalent Bonding:
electron sharing

H
H
Covalent Bonding:
electron sharing H

H C H

H H H

H H
 Hydrogen Bonding
Between Water Molecules

Hydrogen
Covalent bond
bond
Hydrogen Bonding Between
Different Molecules
 Examples of Organic
Molecules
Lipids
Carbohydrate
s

Proteins Nucleic acids

 Properties of Water
1. High heat capacity-absorbs and
releases large amounts of heat
(land heats faster than water)
2. High heat of vaporization- sweat,
cooling mechanism
3. Polarity solvent properties-
universal solvent
4. Reactivity- hydrolysis and
condensation (dehydration)
Polarity of Water
Molecules
Chemical Reactions

A  B
reactant  product
Chemical Synthesis

A + B  AB
 Chemical
Decomposition

AB  A + B
 Chemical
Rearrangement

AB + CD  AC + BD
 Decomposition of
Water

H2O  OH + H - +

O O + H
H H H

Water molecule Hydroxyl ion Hydrogen ion

[H2O] [HO-] [H+]
 pH
• “p” stands for potential and
“H” stands for hydrogen
• Refers to the potential of a
substance to attract
hydrogen ions (H+)
 Acids

Proton donor, i.e., they donate H+ ions

HCl is a strong acid with a pH 1-2

HCl  H + Cl + -
 Bases
Proton acceptor, i.e., they take up H+ ions
NaOH is a strong base ~pH 12

Na+ + OH-  NaOH

NH3 + H  NH4
+

OH + H  H2O
- +

HCO3 +H  H2CO3
+
Neutralization
HCl + NaOH H2O + NaCl
Buffer- resists dramatic changes
in pH; ex. tums, rolaids…buffers
stomach acid
 pH Scale
0-14

Type of
Solution pH Value
Neutral 7
Acidic 0-6
Basic (alkaline) 8-14
Logarithmic scale

blood
Measuring pH
pH of Coke
 Impact of Acid in our Body

-
CO2 + H2O H2CO3 HCO 3 + H+
Carbonic acid Bicarbonate

Capillary Cell

O2
Impact of Acid in our Body

HCl
pH 1-2
Impact of Acid in our Body

pH 8
Impact of Acid in the Ocean
 Inquiry
1. How many neutrons in 147 N?
2. Of the following pH’s which is most
acidic?
3 7 6 2
3. The symbols K, Na, C, and S are:
4. Which of the following are elements?
water; sugar; table salt; the atmosphere

5. Which of the following are pure

substances?
wine; seawater; blood; iron