Matter | Anything that has mass and takes up space. |
Model | An explanation or representation of something that cannot be seen. |
Element | A collection of atoms that all have the same number of protons. |
Molecules | Chemicals that result from atoms linking together. |
Physical Change | A change that affects the appearance but not the chemical makeup of a substance. |
Chemical Change | A change that alters the makeup of the elements or molecules of a substance. |
Phase | One of three forms -- solid, liquid, or gas -- which every substance is capable of attaining. |
Diffusion | The random motion of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. |
Concentration | A measurement of how much solute exists within a certain volume of solvent. |
Semipermeable Membrane | A membrane that allows some molecules to pass through but does not allow other molecules to pass through. |
Osmosis | The tendency of a solvent to travel across a semipermeable membrane into areas of higher solute concentration. |
Catalyst | A substance that alters the speed of a chemical reaction but is not used up in the process. |
Organic Molecule | A molecule that contains only carbon and any of the following: hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, and / or phosphorous. |
Biosynthesis | The process by which living organisms produce larger molecules from smaller ones. |
Isomers | Two different molecules that have the same chemical formula. |
Monosaccharides | Simple carbohydrates that contain 3 to 10 carbon atoms. |
Disaccharides | Carbohydrates that are made up of two monosaccharides. |
Polysaccharides | Carbohydrates that are made up of more than two monosaccharides. |
Dehydration Reaction | A chemical reaction in which molecules combine by removing water. |
Hydrolysis | Breaking down complex molecules by the chemical addition of water. |
Hydrophobic | Lacking any affinity to water. |
Saturated Fat | A lipid made from fatty acids that have no double bonds between carbon atoms. |
Unsaturated Fat | A lipid made from fatty acids that have at least one double bond between carbon atoms. |
Peptide Bond | A bond that links amino acids together in a protein. |
Hydrogen Bond | A strong attraction between hydrogen atoms and certain other atoms (usually oxygen or nitrogen) in specific molecules. |