Glossary of Chemical Terms - N

N

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
nano-
Prefix meaning one billionth or 10-9.
neurotransmitter
A substance that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse.
neutralization
A process where an acid and a base react with each other to form a salt and water.
neutron
Electrically neutral subatomic particle found in the nucleus.
NIMBY
Acronym for Not In My Back Yard.An expression describing the response from members of a community who disapprove of proposed sites for solid waste disposal. A milder form of NOPE (Not On Planet Earth).
nitrogenase
An enzyme system that catalyzes the reaction of molecular nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3).
nitrosamines
A group of organic compounds with the basic structure NNO, some of which are powerful cancer-causing chemicals.
nomenclature
The systematic naming of chemical compounds.
non-electrolyte
A substance that dissolves in water to form a solution that is non-conducting.
nonpolar
Having no poles.Used to refer to a bond or molecule that overall has no separation of electrical charge.
norepinephrine
A neurotransmitter that increases heart rate, blood pressure, and is related to increased motor activity. It is the precursor to epinephrine.
normality
A concentration unit relating equivalents of solute to one liter of aqueous solution.
nuclear
Of or pertaining to nucleus.
nucleon
A particle found in the nucleus, that is, a proton or a neutron.
nucleoside
A biologically important molecule consisting of an amine-containing purine or pyrimidine base joined to ribose, a 5-carbon sugar.
nucleus
The central part of an atom containing protons and neutrons.
nutrient
A source of nourishment, expecially a nourishing ingredient in food.

Glossary created by David Shaw (Madison Area Technical College) for The Chemistry Place.

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