The Chemistry of Life

What is Needed for Life? Matter –Takes up space and has mass Energy –Used to organize matter –Used to change matter

Organization of Life Simple to complex

Molecules and Compounds Examples of atoms Examples of molecules –Oxygen (O 2 ) –Nitrogen (N 2 ) –Hydrogen (H 2 ) Compounds –H 2 0, H 2 O 2

Physical vs. Chemical Changes use energy

Acids and Bases pH – a measure of acidity pH balance of our body is important in homeostasis

A Whole Lot of Energy

Why eat? Growth and repair of body maintenance of homeostasis Forming compounds (making new cells) stores energy in the chemical bonds Breaking compounds (digestion) releases energy stored in the chemical bonds

How to build life Inorganic compounds –Water (H2) –minerals Organic compounds –Carbohydrates –Proteins –Lipids –Nucleic Acids

Building compounds It takes energy to form energy Chemical bonding puts simple compounds together All compounds are built from small building blocks called monomers Bonded monomers build polymers

Organic Compounds Carbon is the basis of life Carbon loves to bond – rings or chains

Organic Compounds Carbohydrates –C, H, and O –Monomer is a monosaccharide glucose, fructose, galactose –Sugars vs. Starches Complex – long C chains Simple – short C chains

What do you need carbohydrates for?

Organic Compounds Lipids –CHO –Monomor is a fatty acid & alcohol –Fats, oils, and waxes –Hold more energy than the other organic compounds

What do we need lipids for?

Organic Compounds Proteins –CHON –Monomer is amino acids –The body made of 1000s of proteins from only 20 amino acids!

Why do we need Proteins?

Organic Compounds Nucleic Acids –CHON and sulfur –Monomer is a nucleotide –Control the cell –Contains hereditary information DNA and RNA

Why do we need Nucleic Acids?

Healthy Diet includes: Organic compounds Carbo’s Lipids Proteins Vitamins Inorganic Compounds Water Minerals

How do we get the energy from our food? Water – universal solvent Breaks bonds Breaking bonds releases energy Our bodies are stored energy (we are put together from organic compounds)

Digestion Ingestion Physical change Chemical changes –Enzymes –Stomach acid Re-absorb water and nutrients Excretion

Atom Review Smallest particle of matter that still has properties Protons – Positive Charge Neutrons – Neutral Charge Electrons – Negative Charge Diatomic – Made of 2 atoms (O 2 )