Colonie High AP Biology DeMarco/Goldberg

Why are we studying chemistry?

Chapter 2
Biology has chemistry at its foundation
Chemistry

What? You
thought you were
all done with the
Periodic Table?
NEVER!

The Basics Models of atoms

Everything is made of matter
Matter is made of atoms
Atoms are made of:
protons + mass of 1 nucleus
neutrons 0 mass of 1 nucleus
electrons - mass << 1 orbits
Different kinds of atoms = elements

(c)

Atomic structure determines behavior Life requires ~25 chemical elements

The number of protons in an atom About 25 elements are essential for life
determines the element Four elements make up 96% of living
# of protons = atomic number matter:
this also tells you # of electrons carbon (C) hydrogen (H)
oxygen (O) nitrogen (N)
All atoms of an element have same
chemical properties Four elements make up most of
remaining 4%:
all behave the same
phosphorus (P) calcium (Ca)
properties dont change
sulfur (S) potassium (K)
Colonie High AP Biology DeMarco/Goldberg

Isotopes
Different number of neutrons (heavier)
Some are unstable
nuclear reactions / decay
Split off neutrons &/or protons
radioactivity
Biological tool
Biological hazard

Bonding properties Bonding properties

Effect of electrons Effect of electrons
chemical behavior of an chemical behavior of an atom depends on
atom depends on its number of electrons in its outermost shell
electron arrangement
depends on the number

of electrons in its
outermost shell, the
valence shell

How does this

atom behave?
How does this atom behave? How does this atom behave?

Elements & their valence shells Elements & their valence shells
Elements in the same row have Elements in the same column
the same number of shells have the same valence & similar
chemical properties
Colonie High AP Biology DeMarco/Goldberg

Elements & their valence shells Chemical reactivity

Moving from left to right, each
element has a sequential addition of
electrons (and protons)
Atoms tend to
Complete a partially filled outer
(valence) electron shell
Empty a partially filled outer
(valence) electron shell

This tendency drives

chemical reactions!

Ionic bonds Ionic bonds

Transfer of an electron
Forms + & - ions
+ = cation
example:
= anion salt = dissolves
Weak bond easily in water

Covalent bonds Double covalent bonds

Two atoms need an electron
Share a pair of electrons
Strong bond
both atoms holding onto the electrons
Forms molecules
Two atoms can share more than one
pair of electrons
double bonds (2 pairs of electrons)
triple bonds (3 pairs of electrons)
Very strong bonds

example:
water = takes energy to separate
Colonie High AP Biology DeMarco/Goldberg

Multiple covalent bonds Polar covalent bonds

1 atom can form covalent bonds with Pair of electrons not shared equally by
two or more other atoms 2 atoms
forms larger molecules Water = O + H
ex. carbon
oxygen has stronger
attraction for the
shared electrons
than hydrogen
oxygen has higher
electronegativity

Polar covalent bonds Hydrogen bonds

2 hydrogens in the water molecule form Positive H atom in
an angle 1 water molecule is
Water molecule is polar attracted to negative O
oxygen end is in another
hydrogen end is + Can occur wherever an
Leads to many -OH exists in a larger
interesting molecule
properties
of water. Weak bonds

Van der Waals forces Reductionist view of biology

Interactions Matter is made of atoms
between nonpolar Life requires ~25 chemical elements
substances Atomic structure determines behavior of an
Due to random element
variations in the Atoms combine by chemical bonding to form
electron distribution molecules
of a molecule Weak chemical bonds play important roles in
Very weak forces chemistry of life
A molecules biological function is related to its
shape
Chemical reactions make & break chemical bonds