Chemistry in Living Systems Notes January 21, 2016

Overview If you look at all of the molecules in the world and in the entire universe, the majority of them are important to living systems. If you look at all of the molecules in the world and in the entire universe, the majority of them are important to living systems

Organic Compounds Organic compounds are also called “biomolecules”. Organic compounds are also called “biomolecules”. Biomolecules are all around you. You eat them, you wear them, you use things made of them: Biomolecules are all around you. You eat them, you wear them, you use things made of them: sugar starch oils protein (share electrons)

Carbon If you could see the millions of different types of organic compound molecules, you would see that they all have 1 thing in common: they all have Carbon (C) in them. If you could see the millions of different types of organic compound molecules, you would see that they all have 1 thing in common: they all have Carbon (C) in them. This is why we are called “carbon-based life forms”. This is why we are called “carbon-based life forms”. Carbon

Carbon Backbones If you could see these molecules, you would see that carbon is called the “backbone” of them. If you could see these molecules, you would see that carbon is called the “backbone” of them. The molecules come in different shapes as seen on the next slide. The molecules come in different shapes as seen on the next slide.

Carbon Backbones Polymer: long molecule with repeating parts Straight chain Branched chain Ring

Why Carbon is Important Carbon is the most important element for living systems because of its structure. Carbon is the most important element for living systems because of its structure. Because Carbon has 4 valence electrons, it can gain, lose, or share electrons, which allows it to bond with so many different elements. Because Carbon has 4 valence electrons, it can gain, lose, or share electrons, which allows it to bond with so many different elements

Other Important Elements In addition to Carbon, there are 5 other elements that are important to living systems. In addition to Carbon, there are 5 other elements that are important to living systems. The easiest way to remember the 6 elements most common to living things is by their chemical symbols which spell SPONCH. The easiest way to remember the 6 elements most common to living things is by their chemical symbols which spell SPONCH. Go ahead- say SPONCH- it’s fun! Go ahead- say SPONCH- it’s fun! Sulfur (S) Phosphorous (P) Oxygen (O ) Nitrogen (N) Hydrogen (H)

Molecules in Living Systems Note: we are now on the back of our notes! Note: we are now on the back of our notes! Remember when I told you that 90% of all chemical compounds are important to living things? Remember when I told you that 90% of all chemical compounds are important to living things? Those chemical compounds can be divided into 2 groups: Inorganic Compounds and Organic Compounds. We will talk about Inorganic Compounds first on the next slide: Those chemical compounds can be divided into 2 groups: Inorganic Compounds and Organic Compounds. We will talk about Inorganic Compounds first on the next slide:

Inorganic Compounds Inorganic Compounds are important to living things but have no Carbon in them. Inorganic Compounds are important to living things but have no Carbon in them. They are usually very small molecules. They are usually very small molecules. water salt

Organic Compounds Organic compounds are also important to living things. They are large molecules. Organic compounds are also important to living things. They are large molecules. They are made by living things and are sometimes called “biochemicals”. They are made by living things and are sometimes called “biochemicals”. biochemicals

Types of Biochemicals The large biochemical molecules can be divided into 4 types. The large biochemical molecules can be divided into 4 types. All 4 types have Carbon in them. All 4 types have Carbon in them. (All have carbon) carbohydrateslipids proteins Nucleic acids

Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are a group of chemicals made out of sugar molecules. Carbohydrates are a group of chemicals made out of sugar molecules. Living organisms such as you use carbohydrates as an energy source. Plants store the energy they make as carbohydrate molecules. Living organisms such as you use carbohydrates as an energy source. Plants store the energy they make as carbohydrate molecules. carbohydrates Simple sugars energy

Simple Carbohydrates There are 2 types of carbohydrate molecules: simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. There are 2 types of carbohydrate molecules: simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are basically sugar (glucose, sucrose, dextrose, maltose, etc.) Simple carbohydrates are basically sugar (glucose, sucrose, dextrose, maltose, etc.) The molecules are 1 or a few sugar molecules joined together. The molecules can be broken down easily by your body so you get a quick burst of energy. The molecules are 1 or a few sugar molecules joined together. The molecules can be broken down easily by your body so you get a quick burst of energy. Simple carbohydrates are found in fruits, honey, and things with sugar added to them. Simple carbohydrates are found in fruits, honey, and things with sugar added to them.

Complex Carbohydrates The other group of carbohydrates are called “complex carbohydrates.” The other group of carbohydrates are called “complex carbohydrates.” These molecules are made of hundreds or thousands of sugar molecules joined together. These molecules are made of hundreds or thousands of sugar molecules joined together. Since your body has to break the bonds between the sugar molecules and this takes time, complex carbohydrates give you energy over a longer period of time. Since your body has to break the bonds between the sugar molecules and this takes time, complex carbohydrates give you energy over a longer period of time. Complex carbohydrates are found in rice, pasta (noodles), and things made with flour like cereal, bread, muffins, and other baked goods. Complex carbohydrates are found in rice, pasta (noodles), and things made with flour like cereal, bread, muffins, and other baked goods.

Carbohydrates Review So to review: So to review: There are 2 types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. There are 2 types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. simple complex

Lipids Lipids are molecules that we generally call “fats”. They don’t dissolve in water and are used by both plants and animals to store extra energy. Lipids are molecules that we generally call “fats”. They don’t dissolve in water and are used by both plants and animals to store extra energy. In plants, lipids are called oils and in animals we call them fats. In plants, lipids are called oils and in animals we call them fats. lipids oils fats

Lipids, continued Lipids are where your body stores vitamins from food you eat. Lipids are where your body stores vitamins from food you eat. When your body needs vitamins, it pulls them out of lipid (fat) cells. When your body needs vitamins, it pulls them out of lipid (fat) cells. When you have used up all the energy from carbohydrates that you have eaten, the body gets energy from lipid (fat) cells. When you have used up all the energy from carbohydrates that you have eaten, the body gets energy from lipid (fat) cells.

Lipids, continued You learned last year about cell membranes being made of a phospho-lipid layer- that’s a lipid!! You learned last year about cell membranes being made of a phospho-lipid layer- that’s a lipid!! We find lipids in oils (corn, olive, vegetable, palm, coconut) and fats (milk, meat, cheese, butter). We find lipids in oils (corn, olive, vegetable, palm, coconut) and fats (milk, meat, cheese, butter). membrane oils fats

Proteins The majority of biochemicals are proteins. The majority of biochemicals are proteins. Proteins control all of the chemical reactions that happen inside your body. Proteins control all of the chemical reactions that happen inside your body. Proteins also help transfer and store material in the cell. Proteins also help transfer and store material in the cell. Proteins also give your body structure and support- muscles, tendons, hair, and organs are made out of protein molecules. Proteins also give your body structure and support- muscles, tendons, hair, and organs are made out of protein molecules.

Amino Acids Proteins are made of amino acid molecules. Proteins are made of amino acid molecules. When you eat something with protein, your body breaks down the proteins you ate and then re- arranges those amino acids into the proteins your body needs. When you eat something with protein, your body breaks down the proteins you ate and then re- arranges those amino acids into the proteins your body needs. proteins Amino acids

More about Proteins Proteins are made of the elements C, H, O, and N (CHON). Proteins are made of the elements C, H, O, and N (CHON). One group of proteins are called enzymes. They speed up chemical reactions in the body. One group of proteins are called enzymes. They speed up chemical reactions in the body. Carbon (C) Hydrogen (H) Oxygen (O) Nitrogen (N) enzymes

Nucleic Acids You learned about nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) in 7 th grade science. You learned about nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) in 7 th grade science. Nucleic acids are the largest of the biochemical molecules and serve to store information. Nucleic acids are the largest of the biochemical molecules and serve to store information.

Nucleic Acids, continued Nucleic acids help the cells of your body build proteins and include the elements Phosphorous, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon, and Hydrogen. Nucleic acids help the cells of your body build proteins and include the elements Phosphorous, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Carbon, and Hydrogen. proteins Phosphorous (P) Oxygen (O)Nitrogen (N) Carbon (C) Hydrogen (H)

Types of Nucleic Acids As you (hopefully) remember, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contains all of your genetic material. As you (hopefully) remember, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contains all of your genetic material. RNA (ribonucleic acid) is involved in making proteins. RNA (ribonucleic acid) is involved in making proteins. DNA