Molecules and Compounds

Molecules and Compounds

The term molecule is defined as any chemical structure that consists of atoms held together by covalent bonds (involving the sharing of electrons between atoms). When two atoms of the same element bond, they produce molecules of that element such as hydro-gen, oxygen, or nitrogen molecules. Most atoms are chemically combined with other atoms. For example when two oxygen atoms combine, a molecule of O₂ (oxygen gas) is formed.

When two different kinds of atoms combine, they form molecules of a compound (see “Covalent Bonds” later in this chapter). Compounds are chemicallypure, with identical molecules. A molecule is the smallest particle of a compound that still has the spe-cific characteristics of that compound. Examples of compounds include water (a compound of hydrogen and oxygen), dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide), table sugar, baking soda, alcohol (as used in beverages), natural gas, and most medicinal drugs. A molecule of a compound has specific types and amounts of atoms (see “Hydrogen Bonds” later in this chapter).

Mixtures

Mixtures are substances containing two or more com-ponents that are physically intermixed. They do not chemically combine and may not occur in fixed (spe-cific) proportions. An example is the various powders combined together in a capsule with an active drug. The individual characteristics of the components of a mixture are not lost. They may be separated from each other if this is required. The three basic types of mix-tures are colloids, solutions, and suspensions. In nature, most matter exists in the form of mixtures. Colloids, solutions, and suspensions are each found in both liv-ing and nonliving systems. Living material is the most complex mixture of all, containing colloids, solutions, and suspensions—all of which interact with each other.

Colloids

Colloids are also known asemulsions. Their composi-tion differs in various areas of their mixtures, meaning they are referred to as heterogeneous mixtures. Colloids have solute particles that are larger than the particles in true solutions and do not settle. The appearance of a colloid is often milky or translucent. Light is scattered when shown through a colloid, meaning the path of the light beam is visible.

Colloids often have the ability to undergo sol–geltransformations. This means they can change (revers-ibly) from a sol (fluid) state to a gel (more solid) state. An example of a nonliving colloid that undergoes a sol–gel transformation (when refrigerated) is a gelatin product such as Jell-O. Also, the reverse process occurs when these products are heated, such as by sunlight, with their state returning to a liquid. In living cells, the semifluid material known as cytosol undergoes sol–gel transformations. Cytosol has many dispersed proteins, and these transformations are the basis for cell division, cell shape changes, and other important activities.

Solutions

Solutions may be gases, liquids, or solids that arehomogeneous mixtures of these components. This means the mixture has exactly the same composition throughout in terms of the atoms or molecules it contains. One sample of any part of the mixture will reveal an identical composition to any other sample of the mixture. Examples include ocean water (which is a mixture of water and salts) and environmental air (which is a mixture of gases). In a mixture, the solvent is the substance that is present in the largest amount. A solvent is also known as a dissolving medium and is usually a liquid. The substances present in a mixture in smaller amounts are called solutes.

In the human body, water is the primary solvent. Most body solutions are called true solutions, which are usually transparent. They contain gases, liquids, or solids dissolved in water. True solutions are exem-plified by mineral water, glucose/water, and saline solution (which is a mixture of sodium chloride and water). In true solutions, the solutes are minute, usu-ally consisting of individual atoms and molecules. These microscopic solutes do not scatter light (allow a beam of light to pass through) or settle.

True solutions are described by their concentra-tion, which is often described in parts per 100% of thesolute in the total solution. Water is usually assumed to be the solvent. True solutions may also be described in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Another way to describe true solutions is molarity (M), which is defined as moles per liter. This is a complicated but more chemically useful method. A mole is equal to an element or compound’s atomic weight or molecularweight, in grams. For example, glucose is written asa ­combination of 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms, and 6 oxygen atoms (C₆H₁₂O₆). To find its molecular weight, you must multiply the number of atoms of each component by its atomic weight. Then, you must add the total atomic weights of the three components to find the total atomic weight of glucose. In this exam-ple, carbon’s 6 atoms multiplied by its atomic weight of 12.011 equals a total atomic weight of 72.066. Using the same formula, the total atomic weights of hydrogen (12.096) and oxygen (95.994) are added together to find that the total atomic weight of glucose is 180.156. Overall, it is important to understand that 1 mole of any substance always contains exactly the same num-ber of solute particles. This is referred to as Avogadro’snumber, and is calculated in molecules of the substanceas 6.02 × 1023. In body fluids, because solute concentra-tions are very low, their values are usually described in terms of millimoles (Mmol or 1/1,000 mole).

Suspensions

Suspensions, known asheterogeneous mixtures,have large, often visible solutes that usually settle. In the blood, living blood cells are suspended in the fluid portion­ of the blood (the blood plasma). When a blood sample is left still for a period of time, the suspended cells settle unless they are mixed or shaken. In the body, they do not settle because of blood circulation.

1. Define the terms molecule, compound, and mixture.

2. List examples of true solutions in the body.

3. Define the terms mole, molarity, and molecular weight.