The Building Blocks of Cells

Warm-UP Which 3 elements are the most abundant in living organisms? Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen B. Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium C. Nitrogen, Zinc, Iron

Elements & Compounds Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen are elements. Elements are substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances. The smallest unit of an element is an atom. When 2 or more elements combine they form compounds.

THINK: Match the Compound to its Elements Water Salt Chalk Calcium (Ca) + Carbon (C) + Oxygen(O) Sodium (Na) + Chlorine (Cl) Hydrogen (H) + Oxygen (O)

Two Classes of Compounds Inorganic compounds: DO NOT contain the element Carbon THINK: Is water (H2O) inorganic? THINK: Is salt (NaCl) inorganic? Organic compounds: DO contain the element Carbon. The 4 most important organic compounds found in cells are: Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids

Building Blocks of Cells: Carbohydrates STRUCTURE: Made up of C, H, & O Example: Sugar (Glucose), Starch, Cellulose FUNCTION Provides the cell with quick energy Gives structure to cell walls and cell membranes Glucose

THINK!! Which organelle uses sunlight to make food (glucose)? Chloroplast Which organelle breaks down glucose in order to provide the cell with the energy? Mitochondria

Building Blocks of Cells: Lipids STRUCTURE: Made up of C, H, & O Does not dissolve in water Example: Waxes, Fats, Oils FUNCTION Provides the cell with long-term energy The MAJORITY of the cell membrane is made of a special lipid called phospholipids

Building Blocks of Cells: Proteins STRUCTURE: Made up of C, H, O, & Nitrogen (N) Made up of smaller molecules called amino acids These amino acids link together to form a chain The way this chain folds gives the protein its job

What do cells use proteins for? FUNCTION Some proteins speed up chemical reactions: Enzymes Some are important parts of cell membranes Some are used to build organelles and other body parts (eg. hair, nails, etc.)

Building Blocks of Cells: Nucleic Acids STRUCTURE: Made up of C, H, O, & P (phosphorous) Example: DNA & RNA FUNCTION Contains the info for all cell functions DNA = Stores hereditary information RNA = Used when making proteins DNA