Chemical Compounds in Cells

Element A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances. The smallest unit of an element is called… An ATOM

Compound When two or more elements combine chemically, they form a compound. The smallest unit of any compound is called….. A Molecule

Examples of compounds An example of a compound is water which is made up of the elements: – Hydrogen (2) – Oxygen (1)

Organic Compounds Organic compounds: Contain the element Carbon Four groups of organic compounds found in all cells: Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids

Inorganic Compounds Inorganic compounds: DO NOT contain the element Carbon. Three important inorganic compounds for living organisms: Water Sodium Chloride (salt) Carbon Dioxide

Inorganic Compounds Which organic compound is the exception to the rule? Why? – Carbon dioxide is an inorganic compound even though it contains carbon.

CARBOHYDRATES What is the definition of a carbohydrate? – Energy rich organic compound made up of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

CARBOHYDRATES What are some examples of carbohydrates? – Sugars and Starches. – Found in almost all foods from fruits and veggies, to breads and pasta.

CARBOHYDRATES When is sugar produced in the pant cell? – During the food making process called photosynthesis. In what organelle does photosynthesis take place? – The chloroplast What is starch? – Starches are many sugars strung together. – Called complex carbohydrates – When we eat carbs out bodies break them down into glucose (sugar).

CARBOHYDRATES What do plant cells use starch for? – To store excess energy. What is the starch that makes up plant cell walls called? – Cellulose Where else in the cell will you find carbohydrates? – In the membrane

Sugar vs. Starch Sugar Starch

Lipids What is the definition of a lipid? – Energy rich compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. What are some examples of lipids? – Fats, oils and waxes What does the cell use lipids for? – To store energy for later use.

Lipids How are lipids different from carbohydrates in terms of stored energy? – They store even more energy. What cell part is composed of mostly lipids? – The cell membrane

Protein - Structure What is the definition of a protein? – Large organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur. What are the small molecules that make up a protein? – Amino acids How many of these are there? – 20

Protein - Structure How do different proteins form? – The twenty amino acids can string together in different ways to form thousands of proteins.

Protein - Function Where do we find proteins in the cell? – Most of the cells organelles are made of proteins. – Proteins are an important part of the cell membrane.

Protein - Function What is an enzyme? – A type of protein that speeds up chemical reactions in living cells. What would happen if we did not have enzymes in our cells? – Many of the essential chemical reactions in our cells would take too long or not occur at all. Give an example of an enzyme in action – Enzymes in saliva speed up digestion.

Nucleic Acids What is the definition of a nucleic acid? – Very long organic molecules made of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. What are the two types of nucleic acids? – RNA – DNA.

Nucleic Acids What is the function of DNA? – Genetic material that carries information about an organism, it is passed on from parent to offspring. Where is DNA found? – In the chromatin located in the nucleus. What is the function of RNA – Helps in the production of proteins Where is RNA found? – In the cytoplasm and in the nucleus.

Nucleic Acids

Water How much of your body is made up of water? – Two thirds Why is water essential for our cells to function properly? – Most chemical reactions essential to our cells would not take place without water.