Canadian Medical Guide > Chemicals and Drugs > Inorganic Chemicals > Elements Terms and Definitions
Elements
Medical Definition: | Substances that comprise all matter. Each element is made up of atoms that are identical in number of electrons and protons and in nuclear charge, but may differ in mass or number of neutrons. |
Guide Notes: | GEN only; prefer specifics; ISOTOPES (little used) & RADIOISOTOPES & many specifics are also available; m for metastable = RADIOISOTOPES or specific pre-coord radioisotope |
Actinoid Series Elements - A series of radioactive elements from ACTINIUM, atomic number 89, to and including LAWRENCIUM, atomic number 103. | |
Arsenic - A shiny gray element with atomic symbol As, atomic number 33, and atomic weight 75. It occurs throughout the universe, mostly in the form of metallic arsenides. Most forms are toxic. According to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985), arsenic and certain arsenic compounds have been listed as known carcinogens. (From Merck Index, 11th ed) | |
Carbon - A nonmetallic element with atomic symbol C, atomic number 6, and atomic weight 12.011. It may occur as several different allotropes including DIAMOND; CHARCOAL; and GRAPHITE. | |
Chalcogens - The elements OXYGEN, POLONIUM, SELENIUM, SULFUR and TELLURIUM that form group 16 (formerly group VI) of the periodic table. | |
Elements, Radioactive - Elements which exhibit atomic emission due to natural or artificial nuclear transformation. These elements spontaneously undergo radioactive decay. | |
Halogens - A family of nonmetallic, generally electronegative, elements that form group 17 (formerly group VIIa) of the periodic table. | |
Hydrogen - Hydrogen. The first chemical element in the periodic table. It has the atomic symbol H, atomic number 1, and atomic weight 1. It exists, under normal conditions, as a colorless, odorless, tasteless, diatomic gas. Hydrogen ions are PROTONS. Besides the common H1 isotope, hydrogen exists as the stable isotope DEUTERIUM and the unstable, radioactive isotope TRITIUM. | |
Lanthanoid Series Elements - Elements of the lanthanoid series including atomic number 57 (LATHANUM) through atomic number 71 (LUTETIUM). | |
Metals, Alkali - Metals that constitute group 1(formerly group Ia) of the periodic table. They are the most strongly electropositive of the metals. Note that HYDROGEN is not considered an alkali metal even though it falls under the group 1 heading in the periodic table. | |
Metals, Alkaline Earth - Metals that constitute the group 2 (formerly group IIa) of the periodic table. | |
Metals, Heavy - Metals with high specific gravity, typically larger than 5. They have complex spectra, form colored salts and double salts, have a low electrode potential, are mainly amphoteric, yield weak bases and weak acids, and are oxidizing or reducing agents (From Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed) | |
Metals, Light - Metals with low specific gravity, typically smaller than 5, characterized by a single valence (1, 2, or 3), a simple spectrum, strong electromotive force (positive), and colorless compounds. (From Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed) | |
Metals, Rare Earth - A group of elements that include SCANDIUM, YTTRIUM; and the LANTHANOID SERIES ELEMENTS. Historically, the rare earth metals got their name from the fact that they were never found in their pure elemental form, but as an oxide. In addition they were very difficult to purify. They are not truly rare and comprise about 25% of the metals in the earth's crust. | |
Nitrogen - An element with the atomic symbol N, atomic number 7, and atomic weight 14. Nitrogen exists as a diatomic gas and makes up about 78% of the earth's atmosphere by volume. It is a constituent of proteins and nucleic acids and found in all living cells. | |
Noble Gases - Elements that constitute group 18 (formerly the zero group) of the periodic table. They are gases that generally do not react chemically. | |
Phosphorus - An element that has the atomic symbol P, atomic number 15, and atomic weight 31. It is an essential element in the diet, a major component of the mineral phase of bone, and is abundant in all tissues, being involved in some form in almost all metabolic processes. (From Dorland, 27th ed) | |
Trace Elements - A group of chemical elements that are needed in minute quantities for the proper growth, development, and physiology of an organism. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) | |
Transition Elements - Elements with partially filled d orbitals. They constitute groups 3-12 of the periodic table of elements. |
Elements Medical Definitions and Terms
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