Glossary of Chemical Terms - N

N

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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