Organic Molecules

What makes a compound organic? A chemical compound is classified as organic if it contains the following elements from the perioidic table: Carbon(-C), Hydrogen (H) and Oxygen (O) bonded together Examples of Organic compounds: sugar, fat, proteins Not organic: Salt- its chemical formula only contains Nitrogen (N) and Chlorine (Cl). There are no C, H , or O bonded together in its chemical formula.

Monomers and Polymers Monomer: smallest organic subunit Polymer: many monomers put together *polymers are also called macromolecules 4 types of organic polymers: Proteins, Carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids

Lipids -also called fats -contains long chain-shaped links of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen -Monomer: fatty acid triglyceride Functions: long term energy storage- primary (that is why you have body fat-it is stored energy) - cushions organs, provides warmth, waxy coating in plants, makes up cell membrane Types of foods: cheese, olive oil Chain shape

Carbohydrates- overview -Also called sugars and starches -Glucose is the monomer of a carbohydrate Contain Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio- so for every carbon that is there, you will have 2 hydrogen and one oxygen -usually ring shaped molecules -The names for sugars always end in -OSE!!!! Ring shape

Carbohydrates- Monosaccharides Monosaccharides: one sugar ring Example: Glucose C6H12O6 Functions: made during photosynthesis; quick source of energy

Carbohydrates: Disaccharides Disaccharides: 2 sugar rings Example: sucrose (table sugar) Function: quick source of energy Two rings

Carbohydrates: Polysaccharides Has several rings joined together Polysaccharides: Many sugar rings (3 or more) put together Example: starch, glycogen Functions: plant energy storage, structure, support

Proteins Monomer: amino acid Contain C, H, O, and N bonds Functions: build tissues, help transport molecules through the cell membrane, enzymes

Nucleic Acids The monomer of a nucleic acid is a Nucleotide. Nucleotides are made of a phosphate, sugar, and a nitrogen base Their function: to store genetic information Examples: DNA, RNA

Enzymes -Enzymes are a type of protein that acts as a biological catalyst. -a catalyst speeds up reactions by lowering the activation energy, or the amount of energy a chemical reaction needs to get started

Reaction Energy Diagram

Enzymes Enzymes will only act on certain types of substrates, which are the reactants in a chemical reaction. They will form a lock-and-key fit with their substrate...only one type of substrate will work with one type of enzyme.

Enzymes Enzymes are not used up in chemical reactions They can be recycled and used over and over again.

Enzymes Enzymes can be denatured (which means their shape will change and they will no longer work.) High temperatures and pH levels that are too high or too low can denature an enzyme.

Why do we need enzymes? -We need enzymes to help speed up the chemical reactions in our bodies. -For example, digestion of food is catalyzed by enzymes. If we did not have enzymes to speed up digestion, it would take us DAYS or WEEKS to digest the food in our stomach and we would not be able to obtain energy from it. Picture of Digestive system