Chemistry of Life

Organic Compound A compound that contains Carbon covalently bonded to other elements

Inorganic Compound A compound that does not contain Carbon covalently bonded to other elements

Polymer Term to describe a very long Molecule made of organic repeating units connected by covalent bonds.

Carbohydrate Organic compound made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the proportion of 1:2:1 Key source of energy Found in most foods

Monosaccharide Building blocks of carbohydrate Simple, single sugars Glucose & Fructose C 6 H 12 O 6

Disaccharide Double sugars Two monosaccharides bonded Sucrose = common sugar Lactose = milk sugar Polysaccharide Chains of three or more monosaccharides bonded Starch

Dehydration Synthesis A chemical reaction in which 2 molecules react to become covalently bonded and the Rx loses a water molecule. Builds a polymer.

Hydrolysis Chemical reaction in which a water molecule splits. Breaks a polymer.

Lipid Non polar molecules that are not soluble in water Fats, steroids, waxes, phospholipid Important in cell membrane Energy storage

Types of lipids

Fatty Acid Fats stored as energy Saturated Fatty Acid – Most animal fats, butter and lard Single bonded Unsaturated Fatty Acid – Most plant oils, olive oil Double bonded

Steroid Cholesterol LDL – Low density lipid “bad” Builds fatty blockage in arteries HDL – High density lipid “good” Produces lipid based molecules

Phospholipid Makes up the lipid bilayer of cell membranes

Amino Acid Building blocks of protein 20 different amino acids found in protein Some are polar/nonpolar, charged/noncharged

Protein Large molecule formed by bonded amino acids Formed by which amino acids are a part of the protein Very specialized and specific

Enzymatic Protein Proteins specialized for enzymatic activity: Enzymes The start of all biological Rx Structural Protein Proteins that provide fibrous framework in connective tissue: tendons and ligaments Keratin is the protein in hair, horns & feathers Hormonal Protein Coordinates all body activities: Insulin Receptor Protein Proteins built in cell membranes of a nerve cell that detects and passes on chemical signals

Contractile Protein Protein that is responsible for muscle movement: Actin and Myosin Defensive Protein Protein that combats bacteria and virus: Antibodies

Nucleic Acid A long chain of small molecules called nucleotides Nucleotide has three parts: Sugar Base Phosphate Group

Two types of Nucleic Acid DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid Two strands of nucleotides that spiral around each other Contains hereditary information RNA Ribonucleic Acid A single strand of nucleotides that is responsible for protein production and can act as an enzyme

ATP Adenosine tri – phosphate A single nucleotide with 2 extra energy storing phosphate groups Cellular energy source

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