General Chemistry for the Health Care Professions

General Chemistry
for the
Health Care Professions

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Lesson 1-1
ELEMENTS OF CHEMICAL STRUCTURE

Learning Objectives

After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

Define: atom, molecule, element, compound matter, energy, atomic number, atomic weight, electron configuration, isotope, valence octet rule, ion, cation, anion, radical.
List the three states of matter and the characteristics of each.
List the three basic particles in an atom and the charge and mass of each.
State the maximum number of electrons a given electron shell may contain.
Given a block for an element from the periodic table, write the name of each piece of information which may be obtained about the element.
Given the name of an element or radical commonly encountered in medicine, state the symbol or formula and common valence(s) for that element or radical.
List the three types of chemical bonds and state whether the electrons are shared or transferred.
Given the name of an inorganic compound commonly encountered in medicine, write the chemical formula for the compound.
Given a chemical formula of an inorganic compound commonly encountered in pharmacy, state the name for that compound.

1-1. INTRODUCTION

Chemistry is the science that studies the composition and changes in composition of the substances around us. Man's natural curiosity about the things and transformations that he observed was the original impetus for the development of this science, but its true beginning was in the work of the alchemists of the Middle Ages. These men searched for a way to change the base metals such as lead into gold. In the large span of time since then, chemistry has developed into a true science and we have amassed a tremendous volume of knowledge. To facilitate the study of chemistry, we can divide it into two divisions: Inorganic chemistry, which deals with the elements and mineral materials, and organic chemistry, which deals with compounds containing carbon. More divisions of chemistry exist, but we will be primarily concerned with these two.

1-2. IMPORTANCE OF CHEMISTRY

Why do we study chemistry? The answer to this question will be obvious when you consider the various classes of compounds we encounter in medicine and in our daily lives. For example, we are concerned with compounds such as drugs and the changes they undergo. Here are some things chemistry will tell us about drugs.

Actions. Chemistry may tell us about the actions of drugs on the body. Drug effects are determined by the chemical structure of a drug; changes in structure may alter the actions of the drug.

Safety and Storage Procedures. Special safety or storage precautions may be necessary for particular drugs. These can be identified by the chemical structure.

Incompatibilities. Sometimes, two or more drugs cannot be mixed because of undesirable consequences. There are three types of incompatibilities:

Chemical. Alterations of chemical properties may occur when two or more drugs are mixed.

Physical. Physical properties of ingredients may produce a mixture unacceptable in appearance or accuracy of dosage.

Therapeutic. When two or more drugs are given to a patient, they may interact in some way to change the effects of one of the drugs.

Original content of this course is supplied by Academy of Health Sciences
Fort Sam Houston, Tx.