Levels of Organization
Unit 1: Atoms and Molecules
Learning Objectives
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
I. Define the term “chemical element”, specify the name and symbol for the four most common chemical elements in the body, and describe the importance of each.
II. Define the term “atom” and describe the structure of an atom.
III. Define the terms “molecule” and “compound”.
IV. Describe the formation of an ion and of an ionic bond.
V. Describe the formation of a covalent bond.
VI. Distinguish between organic and inorganic molecules.
VII. Describe the composition of organic molecules, specify two characteristics of organic molecules that make them useful to living organisms, and give examples of organic molecules.
VIII. Specify the chemical properties of water.
Learning Objectives and Guiding Questions
At the end of this unit, you should be able to complete all the following tasks, including answering the guiding questions associated with each task.
I. Define the term “chemical element”, specify the name and symbol for the four most common chemical elements in the body, and describe the importance of each.
- Define the term “chemical element”.
- For each of the four most common chemical elements in the human body:
- Specify its name
- Specify its chemical symbol
- Name at least one molecule or type of molecule in which it is found, and briefly describe that molecule’s function in the human body
II. Define the term “atom” and describe the structure of an atom.
- Define the term “atom”.
- Draw an annotated diagram (a diagram that includes descriptive labels, with verbs) of the “planetary” (or “Bohr”) model describing the general structure of an atom.
- Be able to identify the number of electrons, protons and neutrons for common elements if given the atomic number and mass number.
III. Define the terms “molecule” and “compound”.
- Define the terms “molecule” and “compound”.
- Write 1-2 sentences to clearly distinguish between the terms “molecule” and “compound”. (If a question ever asks you to ‘clearly distinguish between’, ‘compare’, ‘contrast’, or similar terms: make sure the direct comparison is very obvious in your answer!)
IV. Describe the formation of an ion and of an ionic bond.
- Use an annotated diagram to describe the process by which ions are formed from neutral atoms.
- Write one sentence that states what is meant by the term “ionic bond”.
V. Describe the formation of a covalent bond.
- Describe the process by which a covalent bond is formed between two atoms.
- Compare and contrast (list similarities and differences between) ionic compounds and covalent molecules.
VI. Distinguish between organic and inorganic molecules.
- Compare and contrast (list similarities and difference between) organic molecules and inorganic molecules.
- Name at least two specific and clear examples of each type of molecule (i.e. name two organic molecules, and two inorganic molecules, that could not be mistaken for anything else).
VII. Describe