BIOCHEMISTRY

Matter: Anything that has mass and takes up space

Mass: the amount of matter in an object measured with a balance

Volume: the amount of space an object takes up measured with a ruler or graduated cylinder

CHEMISTRY OF LIFE Atom: the actual basic unit - composed of protons, neutrons, and electronsAtom: the actual basic unit - composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons Elements: simplest form of a substance - cannot be broken down any further without changing what it isElements: simplest form of a substance - cannot be broken down any further without changing what it is

THE ATOM Just like cells are the basic unit of life, the ATOM is the basic unit of matter.Just like cells are the basic unit of life, the ATOM is the basic unit of matter. They are very small. If placed side by side one million would stretch a distance of 1cm.They are very small. If placed side by side one million would stretch a distance of 1cm. The atom is made up of 3 particles.The atom is made up of 3 particles. ParticleCharge PROTON PROTON+ NEUTRONNEUTRAL ELECTRON-

PROTONS NEUTRONS ELECTRONS ATOMIC # = 2 (PROTONS) ATOMIC MASS = 4 (PROTONS & NEUTRONS)

MOLECULES Formed when 2 or more atoms are joined together chemically.Formed when 2 or more atoms are joined together chemically. The elements that form molecules can be the same OR different.The elements that form molecules can be the same OR different.

COMPOUNDS a substance formed by the chemical combination of 2 or more elements in definite proportionsa substance formed by the chemical combination of 2 or more elements in definite proportions Ex: water, salt, glucose, carbon dioxideEx: water, salt, glucose, carbon dioxide So, all compounds are molecules. BUT not all molecules are compounds (if they are made of the same element)So, all compounds are molecules. BUT not all molecules are compounds (if they are made of the same element)

What do we call these things? An Atom 3 Atoms

What do we call these things? 6 Atoms which happen to be of 3 different elements

What do we call these things? A Molecule We don’t call it “2 atoms joined together” we say it is one molecule. Since the atoms are the same, it is also an element, not a compound.

What do we call these things? A Molecule of a compound 2 molecules of a compound * Notice that these molecules have different atoms in them, so they are compounds, not elements.

Air is a mixture of elements such as oxygen, argon and nitrogen mixed with compounds such as carbon dioxide.

The cell is a COMPLEX CHEMICAL FACTORY containing some of the same elements found in the nonliving environment.The cell is a COMPLEX CHEMICAL FACTORY containing some of the same elements found in the nonliving environment. carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N) are present in the greatest percentagescarbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N) are present in the greatest percentages

TWO TYPES OF COMPOUNDS Organic – Always contain carbon and hydrogen and usually are associated with living things. Organic – Always contain carbon and hydrogen and usually are associated with living things. –Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids, Nucleic Acids Inorganic – Made from elements other than carbon; Source for many elements needed by living things. Inorganic – Made from elements other than carbon; Source for many elements needed by living things. –Example: Water!

CARBON IS THE MAIN INGREDIENT OF ORGANIC MOLECULES

CARBOHYDRATES PROVIDE FUEL AND BUILDING MATERIAL

CARBOHYDRATES Living things use carbohydrates as a key source of ENERGY!Living things use carbohydrates as a key source of ENERGY! Plants use carbohydrates for structure (CELLULOSE)Plants use carbohydrates for structure (CELLULOSE)

PROTEINS PERFORM MOST FUNCTIONS IN CELLS

FUNCTIONS OF PROTEINS Building blocks of many structures in organisms Some regulate chemical reactions in cells (enzymes) Act as chemical signals—hormones

LIPIDS INCLUDE FATS AND STEROIDS

FUNCTIONS OF LIPIDS Act as a boundary—they are a major component of cell membranes (phospholipids) Store larger amounts of energy than carbohydrates do

Fats -- found chiefly in animals Fats -- found chiefly in animals Oils and waxes -- found chiefly in plants Oils and waxes -- found chiefly in plants Lipids along with proteins are key components of cell membranesLipids along with proteins are key components of cell membranes Steroids are special lipids used to build many reproductive hormones and cholesterol Steroids are special lipids used to build many reproductive hormones and cholesterol

NUCLEIC ACIDS STORE GENETIC INFORMATION

NUCLEIC ACIDS in all cellsin all cells store & transmit heredity/genetic informationstore & transmit heredity/genetic information

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contains the genetic code of instructions that direct a cell's behavior through the synthesis of proteinscontains the genetic code of instructions that direct a cell's behavior through the synthesis of proteins found in the chromosomes of the nucleus (and a few other organelles)found in the chromosomes of the nucleus (and a few other organelles)

RNA (ribonucleic acid) directs cellular protein synthesisdirects cellular protein synthesis found in ribosomes & nucleolifound in ribosomes & nucleoli