The Chemistry of Life

Ionic and Covalent Bonding

Ionic Bonding
One atom, or part of the molecule, gains one or more electrons and becomes an anion (a
negative ion).

The other atom, or part of the molecule, loses one or more electrons and becomes a cation (a
positive ion).

Strong forces of attraction (electrostatic forces) called ionic bonds hold the oppositely charged
ions together.

Eg: Formation of sodium chloride

Covalent bonding
Bonds are formed by sharing electrons.
Covalent bonds are very strong and the molecules formed are usually neutral. These molecules
are known as non-polar molecules.

However, in some covalent compounds, the molecules are slightly polarized: this means that
the electrons in the covalent bonds are not quite evenly shared.

This depends on the electronegativity and the element with most electro negativity attracts
bond electrons towards its side.
According to the “Pauling scale “of electronegativity, Fluorine has the highest
electronegativity.

• Consequently, the molecule has a part that is slightly negative and a part that is slightly
positive.
• This separation of charge is called a dipole, and the tiny charges are represented as delta
negative and delta positive.

The molecule is described as a polar molecule. This polarity is particularly common if the bond
involves one or more hydrogen atoms

Eg: H-----O
H---------F

H------------N

The Importance of Inorganic Ions

• Phosphate ions (PO4)-3

These are needed in all living organisms to make ATP and ADP as well as DNA and
RNA
• Chloride ions (Cl-)
These are needed in nerve impulses, sweating and many secretory systems in animals
• Nitrate ions (NO3-)
These are needed in plants to make DNA and also amino acids and, therefore, proteins
from the products of photosynthesis

Important Cations
• Calcium ions (Ca+2)

These are needed for the formation of calcium pectate for the middle lamella between
two cell walls in plants, and for bone formation and muscle contraction in animals

• Sodium ions (Na+)

These are needed in nerve impulses, sweating and many secretory systems in animals

• Hydrogen ions (H'+)

These are needed in cellular respiration and photosynthesis, and in numerous pumps
and systems as well as pH balance

• Magnesium ions (Mg+2)

These are needed for production of chlorophyll in plants

 The Chemistry of Water

Chemical formula of water is H2O.

The slightly negative oxygen atom of one water molecule will attract the slightly positive
hydrogen atoms of other water molecules in a weak electrostatic attraction called a hydrogen
bond.

Each individual hydrogen bond is weak but there are many of them so the molecules of water
'stick together.
The Importance of Water

1. Water is a polar solvent. Because it is a polar molecule, many ionic substances like
sodium chloride will dissolve in it. Many covalently bonded substances are also polar
and will dissolve in water, but often do not dissolve in other non-polar covalently
bonded solvents.
2. Water is an excellent transport medium because the dipole nature of water enables
many different substances to dissolve in it
3. As water cools to 40C, it reaches its maximum density. As it cools further, the
molecules become more widely spaced. As a result, ice is less dense than water and
floats, forming an insulating layer and helping to prevent the water underneath it from
freezing. It also melts quickly because, being at the top, it is exposed to the sun. It is
very unusual for the solid form of a substance to be less dense than the liquid form.
This unusual property enables organisms to live in water, even in countries where it
gets cold enough to freeze in winter
4. Water is slow to absorb and release heat -it has a high specific heat capacity. The
hydrogen bonds between the molecules need a lot of energy to separate them. This
means the temperature of large bodies of water such as lakes and seas does not change
much throughout the year. This makes them good habitats for living organisms.
5. Water is a liquid - it cannot be compressed. This is an important factor in many
hydraulic mechanisms in living organisms
6. Water molecules are cohesive - the forces between the molecules mean they stick
together. This is very important for the movement of water from the roots to the leaves
of plants.

7. Water molecules are adhesive -- they are attracted to other different molecules. This
is also important in plant transport systems and in surface tension.
8. Water has a very high surface tension because the attraction between the water
molecules, including hydrogen bonds, is greater than the attraction between the water
molecules and the air. As a result, the water molecules hold together forming a thin
'skin' of surface tension. Surface tension is very important in plant transport systems,
and also affects life at the surface of ponds, lakes and other water masses.