Chemistry of Life

CHNOPS

Molecules When you put atoms together such as hydrogen and oxygen, you get molecules: Water. The same is true for CHNOPS. These 5 atoms can rearrange themselves in all sorts of combinations to form the basic building blocks of all living organisms: MACROMOLECULES Macro = Large Macromolecules = Large Molecules Life is made of 4 basic macromolecules: Carbohydrates Proteins Lipids Nucleic acids You need to know these!

Role of Carbohydrates Carbohydrates perform numerous roles in living organisms. Key source of energy storage and transportation Animals: glycogen Plants: starch Key part in structure of DNA, immune system, fertilization, disease prevention, blood clotting , and development.

Monosaccharide Disaccharide Polysaccharide

Carbohydrates and Starch What foods contain carbohydrates? Starch is a carbohydrate (polysaccharide) produced by most green plants. Its how plants store energy (end product of photosynthesis). It is the most common carbohydrate in the human diet. Pure starch is a white, tasteless and odorless powder. Starch is processed to produce many of the sugars in processed foods. The biggest industrial non-food use of starch is as adhesive in the papermaking process (sticky when wet). Starch can be applied to parts of some garments before ironing, to stiffen them. What foods contain starch?

Role of Lipids Aka: fats Provide organisms with: Nutrients Energy storage (whale blubber?) Create cell membrane Signaling molecules (ex: hormones) Are lipids soluble (mix) in water?

Lipids and the Cell Membrane Phospholipids Lipid (non-polar)+Phosphate (polar)

Role of Proteins Antibodies – identify and help organisms defend against foreign invaders (virus, bacteria)

Enzymes: Proteins that facilitate biochemical reactions. They are often referred to as catalysts because they speed up chemical reactions. Examples include the enzymes lactase and pepsin. Lactase breaks down the sugar lactose found in milk. Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that works in the stomach to break down proteins in food.

Hormones - messenger proteins which help to coordinate certain bodily activities. Examples include insulin, oxytocin, and somatotropin. Insulin allows cells to absorb glucose. Oxytocin stimulates contractions in females during childbirth. Somatotropin is a growth hormone that stimulates protein production in muscle cells.

Structural Proteins - are fibrous and stringy and provide support Structural Proteins - are fibrous and stringy and provide support. Examples include keratin, collagen, and elastin. Keratins strengthen protective coverings such as hair, quills, feathers, horns, and beaks. Collagens and elastin provide support for connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. Transport Proteins - are carrier proteins which move molecules from one place to another around the body. Examples include hemoglobin and cytochromes. Hemoglobin transports oxygen through the blood. Cytochromes operate in the electron transport chain as electron carrier proteins

Proteins are composed of Amino Acids There are 22 amino acids 10 of which are considered “essential” body cannot make them. Must be obtained from other organisms. Combined in different ways, there are hundreds of amino acids intermediates performing tasks throughout your body which are commonly known as “metabolic pathways.”  

200-300 amino acids linked together Single Amino Acid 200-300 amino acids linked together Polar/Nonpolar + or - Fold in on each other

Metabolic Pathways – series of chemical reactions that occur in the cell

Nucleic Acids DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

Our bodies are made of organic compounds derived from living matter compounds containing carbon Fructose Glucose Our bodies are made of organic compounds