General ---------Biology ------------------Online--------------------        -wilcox@sunline.net Ch.  2 :  The Chemical Context of Life

Lets start with something you probably already know about elements and molecules based on the hierarchy table from the previous chapter. Describe the relationship between:
atoms and molecules: "Atoms go together to make molecules.

There are a bunch of elements, some of the names will be familiar.  Click here to see a chart of all the elements, and use your "Back" button to return.

Now use simple reasoning to answer some questions that will help sort out the meaning
of the terms: atom, element and molecule. 

When you drink a glass of H₂O, what substance are you drinking?  Water

Water (H₂O) contains how many atoms of the element hydrogen (H)?  two
Water contains how many atoms of the element oxygen (O)?  one
How many atoms make up one molecule of H₂O? three
How many atoms make up two molecules of water (2H₂O)? six
How many different elements are in a molecule of water? two