Basic Chemistry

Protons/Neutrons/ElectronsAtomElementMolecule

Common Elements in Plants CarbonOxygenHydrogenNitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Magnesium Iron Calcium

Inorganic Compounds Water Water Covers ¾ of Earth’s Surface Covers ¾ of Earth’s Surface All life-forms contain it All life-forms contain it Carries dissolved nutrients Carries dissolved nutrients Nonpolar molecule Nonpolar molecule Cohesion Cohesion Water “sticks” to other water molecules Water “sticks” to other water molecules Adhesion Adhesion Water “sticks” to other materials Water “sticks” to other materials

Acids pH of 0-6 pH of 0-6 Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) Citrus Fruits are mostly acidic Citrus Fruits are mostly acidic Acid Rain Acid Rain

Bases pH of 8-14 pH of 8-14 Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Hydroxide Most household cleaners Most household cleaners

Organic Compounds Foundation of plant structure Foundation of plant structure Four groups: Four groups: Carbohydrates Carbohydrates Lipids Lipids Proteins Proteins Nucleic Acids Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates Fuel molecules for plants Fuel molecules for plants Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen Three types: Three types: Monosaccharides Monosaccharides Disaccharides Disaccharides Polysaccharides Polysaccharides

Monosaccharides “simple sugars” “simple sugars” Glucose: Glucose: commonly called blood sugar commonly called blood sugar Form of sugar that is transported in bloodstream Form of sugar that is transported in bloodstream Fructose Fructose Commonly called fruit sugar Commonly called fruit sugar Found in fruits Found in fruits Sweeter than glucose Sweeter than glucose

Disaccharides Sucrose Sucrose Common table sugar Common table sugar Found in sugarcane Found in sugarcane Form of sugar transported in plant’s vascular system Form of sugar transported in plant’s vascular system

Polysaccharides Starch Starch Main storage carbohydrates in plants Main storage carbohydrates in plants How plants build up their energy reserves How plants build up their energy reserves Potatoes, corn, rice Potatoes, corn, rice Cellulose Cellulose Most abundant carbohydrate on Earth Most abundant carbohydrate on Earth

Lipids Greasy/Oily consistency Greasy/Oily consistency Do not dissolve in water Do not dissolve in water Waterproof covering for plants Waterproof covering for plants

Fats vs. Oils Fat is solid at room temperature Fat is solid at room temperature Generally saturated fatty acids Generally saturated fatty acids Produced by animals Produced by animals Butter and Lard Butter and Lard Oil is liquid at room temperature Oil is liquid at room temperature Unsaturated fatty acids Unsaturated fatty acids Produced by plants Produced by plants Peanut oil, soybean oil, olive oil Peanut oil, soybean oil, olive oil

Phospholipids Form cell membrane Form cell membrane Help things enter/leave cell Help things enter/leave cell

Other Lipids Cutin: covers plant leaves and stems Cutin: covers plant leaves and stems Suberin: found in outer bark of woody plants Suberin: found in outer bark of woody plants Both protect plant from excess water loss Both protect plant from excess water loss

Proteins Help plants stay up by staying in cells and tissues Help plants stay up by staying in cells and tissues Composed of amino acids Composed of amino acids Essential parts of living Essential parts of living Enzymes: increase rate of chemical reactions Enzymes: increase rate of chemical reactions

DNA and RNA DNA codes for proteins DNA codes for proteins DNA involves genes, heredity DNA involves genes, heredity RNA makes proteins RNA makes proteins

Energy ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) is the energy used by plants to do work ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) is the energy used by plants to do work