Organic and Inorganic Molecules in the Human Body

I. Organic Chemistry organic molecules A. The structures of the body are mainly composed of organic molecules. any molecules that contain carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen Organic Molecules - any molecules that contain carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen carbon dioxide (an inorganic molecule) in the atmosphere 1. All organic compounds in living things start out as carbon dioxide (an inorganic molecule) in the atmosphere Photosynthesis converts CO 2 and H 2 O (also inorganic) to make glucose (organic)

(like glucose) our bodies convert them into all the different organic molecules needed for our life functions. 2. When we consume organic molecules (like glucose) our bodies convert them into all the different organic molecules needed for our life functions. (polymers) (monomers) B. Most organic molecules are large molecules (polymers) made up of repeating smaller parts (monomers). small molecules, two or more of which can be combined to form larger molecules called polymers Monomers – small molecules, two or more of which can be combined to form larger molecules called polymers a large molecule made up of smaller similar or identical subunits called monomers Polymers - a large molecule made up of smaller similar or identical subunits called monomers

dehydration synthesis C. Monomers are joined together with a covalent bond through a dehydration synthesis hydrolysis reaction Monomers are broken apart at the covalent bond through a hydrolysis reaction. a reaction by which two molecules are joined by a covalent bond and a molecule of water is released Dehydration synthesis – (aka: condensation reaction) a reaction by which two molecules are joined by a covalent bond and a molecule of water is released reaction in which a bond is broken between two molecules by the addition of a water molecule Hydrolysis reaction – reaction in which a bond is broken between two molecules by the addition of a water molecule

1. An illustration of a dehydration synthesis would be: OHOH + OHO H2OH2O

2. An illustration of a hydrolysis reaction would be: O H2OH2O OHOH + OH

II. Inorganic chemistry inorganic A. Although our structures are primarily organic, we could not function as we are without inorganic molecules. any molecules not composed primarily of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen Inorganic Molecules - any molecules not composed primarily of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen with the foods and drinks we consume. B. Inorganic molecules enter our bodies with the foods and drinks we consume. Some purposefully (like water and vitamins) Some come along inadvertently (like minerals that are in our foods)

B. Some important functions of inorganic molecules in the human body include: Acid-Base balance Transporting O 2 Nerve/muscle functions Fluid-electrolyte balance Pigmentation

III. Polarity polar A. When electrons are not evenly distributed in a molecule it is described as being polar. molecules in which the electric charge is not evenly distributed in the covalent bonds Polar molecules - molecules in which the electric charge is not evenly distributed in the covalent bonds electrons orbit atoms that have more protons in their nucleus more often 1. Polar molecules occur because electrons orbit atoms that have more protons in their nucleus more often *Polar molecules dissolve in water*

NOT polar molecules but are considered to behave just like polar molecules (the electric attraction between positive and negative charges creates a very polar environment) 2. Ionic compounds are NOT polar molecules but are considered to behave just like polar molecules (the electric attraction between positive and negative charges creates a very polar environment)

nonpolar. B. When electrons are evenly distributed in a molecule it is described as being nonpolar. molecules in which the electric charge is evenly distributed in the covalent bonds Nonpolar molecules - molecules in which the electric charge is evenly distributed in the covalent bonds the electrons orbit the covalent bonds in the molecule evenly 1. Nonpolar molecules occur because the electrons orbit the covalent bonds in the molecule evenly *Nonpolar molecules DO NOT dissolve in water*

IV. Water polar A. The most distinct property of water is that it is polar. 1. Water can dissolve polar moleculessugars polar heads on phospholipidsplasma proteins electrolytessome hormones 2. When molecules are nonpolar they do not dissolve in water so They become suspended. For example: cells certain fats proteins clotting factors

hydrogen bonds B. Water forms hydrogen bonds with different molecules in the structures of tissues in the body. Blood is mostly water and the H-bonds between water in blood and the polar lining of blood vessels helps transport blood around the body.

IV. Acids and Bases Acids donate protons to the solution that is formed A. Acids are compounds that when dissolved in water donate protons to the solution that is formed. any compound that when dissolved donates protons to the solution Acid – any compound that when dissolved donates protons to the solution Bases accept protons (reduces # free protons in a solution) Bases are compounds that when dissolved in water accept protons (reduces # free protons in a solution) any compound that when dissolved accepts protons out of the solution. Base - any compound that when dissolved accepts protons out of the solution.

universal B. Water is the universal solvent in the human body. 1. Pure water acidicbasicit donates an equal amount of protons and “proton acceptors” 1. Pure water is considered to be neither acidic nor basic because it donates an equal amount of protons and “proton acceptors”

acidicbasic solutions I. The terms acidic and basic are only used in reference to solutions. a substance and all the matter dissolved in it Solution – a substance and all the matter dissolved in it any matter that is dissolved in another type of matter Solute – any matter that is dissolved in another type of matter any matter in which other matter is dissolved in Solvent – any matter in which other matter is dissolved in

below 7 C. Acidic solutions are any solutions that have a ph below 7. above 7 Basic solutions are any solutions that have a ph above When conditions in the body become too basic Protons will be removed from solutions which can  Break down tissues (proteins)  Distort cellular respiration  Distort membrane potentials

2. When conditions become too acidic Protons will be added to solutions which can:  Break down tissues  Inhibit cellular functions  Distort membrane potentials