Learning Objectives for Chapter 2, The Chemical Context of Life

Understand, and be able to use the following terms:

matter	element	compound	trace elements
atom	neutron	proton	electron
atomic nucleus	dalton	atomic number	mass number
atomic weight	isotope	radioactive isotope	energy
potential energy	energy levels	electron shells	valence electrons
valence shells	chemical bonds	covalent bonds	molecule
structural formula	molecular formula	double covalent bond	valence
electronegativity	nonpolar covalent bond	polar covalent bond	ionic bond
ion	cation	anion	ionic compound
salt	hydrogen bond	Van der Waals interactions	chemical reactions
reactants	products	Chemical equilibrium

Chemical Elements and Compounds
	1.	Distinguish between an element and a compound.
	2.	Identify the four elements that make up 96% of living matter. What is a trace element?
Atoms and Molecules
	3.	Describe the structure of an atom.
	4.	Define and distinguish among atomic number, mass number, atomic weight, and valence.
	5.	Given the atomic number and mass number of an atom, how do you determine the number of its neutrons?
	6.	Explain why radioactive isotopes are important to biologists.
	7.	Explain how its electron configuration influences the chemical behavior of an atom.
	8.	Distinguish among nonpolar covalent, polar covalent, and ionic bonds.
	9.	Explain why weak bonds are important to living organisms.
	10.	Describe and compare hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions.
	11.	Explain how a molecule's shape influences its biological function.
	12.	Write the chemical equation that summarizes the process of photosynthesis, noting the reactants and products. Be able to identify reactants and products when presented with other chemical equations.
	13.	Describe how the relative concentrations of reactants and products affect a chemical reaction.