Basics of Biology

Basic Chemistry For Biology

What determines the type of bond that forms between atoms?

The electron structure of an atom is the best predictor of its chemical behavior. Atoms with electron-filled outer shells tend not to form bonds. However, those atoms with one, two, six, or seven electrons in the outer shell tend to become ions and form ionic bonds. Atoms with greater than two or less than six electrons tend to form covalent bonds.

