Chapter 2 – The Chemistry of Life

Atoms = basic unit of matter Made up of: o protons (+) o neutrons (Ø) o electrons (-) Chemistry is what makes up life, so we need to know what makes up chemistry

The next step up from atoms are elements = a pure substance that consists of just one type of atom More than _____ elements are known, but only about 24 are common The _____________ is used to organize elements 100 periodic table

A chemical compound = a substance formed by the chemical combo of 2 or more elements Chemical formula = the shorthand for the chemical composition of a compound Ex. H 2 O A compound can have very different properties than the elements that make it up NaCl

Because of its electron structure, carbon can bond with many other elements Carbon can also easily bond with itself; it can form very long chains and even rings Carbon is an important element; it is the basis for ________ chemistry and many common compounds organic

Macromolecules form through polymerization – small pieces come together to make larger ones Macromolecule = a giant molecule made up of many smaller molecules Monomers = the smaller units Polymers = the larger resulting unit

There are 4 groups of organic compounds found in living things: carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.

CarbsLipidsNucleic AcidsProteins What are their jobs? Source of energy for living things Monosaccharides – small units Polysaccharides – larger units Ex. Glucose Ex. Cellulose Not soluble in water Help store energy Ex. Fats Ex. Oils Ex. Waxes Made up of 3 part nucleotide 1.5-carbon sugar 2.2. phosphate group 3. nitrogen base Contains genetic info 2 types: RNA & DNA Made up of amino acids 20 different amino acids Jobs: Builds muscles/bones Control reaction rates

Chemistry makes up life, but it is also what life does Chemical reaction = the process that changes/transforms one set of chemicals into another Mass and energy are conserved in reactions Reactions always involve changes in the chemical bonds that join the atoms or compounds Reactants = the elements or compounds that the reaction begins with Products = the elements or compounds produced by the reaction

What reaction is this? What are the products? What are the reactants?

Enzymes = proteins that act as catalysts They speed up reactions that take place They are very specific, usually only catalyzing 1 reaction in cells Catalyst = a substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction