Periodic properties of the chemical elements and their brief implications in biological systems and the agricultural sciences

Abstract

Understanding the concept of periodicity in chemistry allows guiding and defining many aspects related to the structure and reactivity of organic and inorganic compounds. As a result, this topic is almost necessary in a general chemistry course in undergraduate programs. Thus, these lecture notes are intended to present the evolution, description and application in biological systems and agricultural sciences of the concept of periodicity of the properties of chemical elements. In the first part, a brief approach is made on the historical overview of the periodic table of the elements and how its basic organization is. With this information, the concept of periodicity is developed; subsequently, the trends for the periodic properties of the elements are defined and described, namely, atomic, and ionic radius, electronic affinity, energy or potential of ionization, and electronegativity. Finally, potential implications of the periodic properties of the elements in biological systems are explored, illustrating that this concept can be used to understand the dynamics behind these. It should be mentioned that these notes are not intended to replace the review of the concept of chemical periodicity in general chemistry books, but rather to help the student understand the concept. Thus, it is proposed that students apply the concept of chemical periodicity in several areas of their academic training, mainly in those associated with biological and agricultural sciences.