1-3 Chemical Compounds in Cells

Element Element Any substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances Any substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances Atom Atom The smallest unit of an element The smallest unit of an element

Most Common Elements in Living Things

Compound When two or more elements combine chemically When two or more elements combine chemically Molecule Molecule The smallest unit of a compound The smallest unit of a compound

Types of Compounds Organic Compounds containing carbon Most of the compounds in living things contain carbon combined with other elementsInorganic Do Not Contain Carbon Typically not found in living things

Most Important Organic Compounds Carbohydrates Carbohydrates Proteins Proteins Lipids Lipids Nucleic Acids Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates An energy-rich organic compound An energy-rich organic compound Made of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen (CHO) Made of Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen (CHO) Sugars and Starches Sugars and Starches Important components of cell walls and cell membranes Important components of cell walls and cell membranes Provide cells with main source of energy Provide cells with main source of energy

Proteins Very large organic compounds Very large organic compounds Made of C,H,O,N and sometimes Sulfur Made of C,H,O,N and sometimes Sulfur Cells use it for cell membranes and most of the organelles within the cell Cells use it for cell membranes and most of the organelles within the cell Protein molecules are made up of smaller molecules called Amino Acids Protein molecules are made up of smaller molecules called Amino Acids Enzyme- type of protein that speeds up chemical reactions in living things Enzyme- type of protein that speeds up chemical reactions in living things W/O them many chemical reactions would not occur W/O them many chemical reactions would not occur

Lipids Fats, oils, and waxes Fats, oils, and waxes Lipids are energy-rich organic compounds Lipids are energy-rich organic compounds Made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen Made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen Cholesterol- Lipid that is important part of animal cell membranes Cholesterol- Lipid that is important part of animal cell membranes Liver produces enough cholesterol for our bodies needs and in our food Liver produces enough cholesterol for our bodies needs and in our food Can collect along the walls of blood vessels and blocks blood flow (heart attack) Can collect along the walls of blood vessels and blocks blood flow (heart attack)

Nucleic Acids Very large organic compounds Very large organic compounds Contain: C, H, O, nitrogen, and phosphorus Contain: C, H, O, nitrogen, and phosphorus Two kinds: DNA and RNA Two kinds: DNA and RNA DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is passed from parent to offspring and directs cell functions DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is passed from parent to offspring and directs cell functions RNA (Ribonucleic acid) plays important role in production of proteins RNA (Ribonucleic acid) plays important role in production of proteins

Water help maintain size and shape help maintain size and shape keeps temperature normal keeps temperature normal W/o most chemical reactions wouldn’t occur W/o most chemical reactions wouldn’t occur Helps substances move in and out of cells Helps substances move in and out of cells