Molecules, &
Life
We Will Discuss about…
1. What are Atoms?
2. How Do Atoms Interact to Form
Molecules?
3. Why is Water So Important to
Life?
What are Atoms?
• Atoms are the fundamental structural units of
matter.
• Atoms are composed of a:
Energy
levels/shells
Electron
Proton
Neutron Nucleus
Atomic Mass
(No. of Protons +
No. of Neutrons)
Atomic Symbol
Atomic Number
(is = to No. of
Proton = No. of
Electron)
Helium
• Element is a substance containing the same kind of
atoms and cannot be broken down or converted
into another substance under ordinary conditions.
Hydrogen bonds
3. Why is Water So
Important to Life?
• Water interacts with many other molecules.
• Water is a polar molecule, it can dissolve many
other substances. (good solvent)
• Water will surround positive and negative ions,
dissolving crystals of polar molecule.
• Water is attracted to and dissolves molecules
containing polar covalent bonds, (called
hydrophilic molecules) such as sugars and amino
acids
• Uncharged and non-polar molecules are
hydrophobic.
• Water can break apart into H+ and OH-
• Water-Based Solutions Can Be Acidic, Basic, or
Neutral