Chemical Compounds in Cells

Review of basic chemistry Element – any substance that cannot be broken down into a simpler substance –Ex – carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen Atom – smallest unit of an element Compound – two or more elements chemically combined –Ex – water, sugar, starch Molecule – smallest unit of most compounds –Ex – H 2 O, C 6 H 12 O 6, O 2, CO 2

Inorganic Compounds Does not contain Carbon –Ex – water (H 2 O)

Organic Compounds Contain Carbon –Includes: Carbohydrates Proteins Lipids Nucleic Acids

Proteins Contain C, H, O, N and sometimes Sulfur Found in many foods In the cell, used as: -part of cell membranes -structures of organelles -muscles in the body

Structure of Proteins Made of amino acids –There are 20 different amino acids in living things These amino acids link together to form a large molecule of amino acids in one protein. Change one aa, change whole protein

Enzymes Special kinds of proteins Chemicals that speed up chemical reactions in the body without being used up themselves.

Carbohydrates Energy rich Contain C, H, and O Simple sugars - glucose Complex carbohydrates – made up of many simple sugars attached to each other –Starch –Cellulose – make up plant cell walls Found in cell membranes, other cell parts, and store energy

Lipids Fats, oils, waxes Store energy Made of C, H, and O Contain more energy than carbs

Nucleic Acids DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid RNA – ribonucleic acid Made of C, H, O, N, and Phosphorus Contain instructions for cells to carry out all their functions.

Water Makes up about two thirds of your body. Most chemical reactions occur in water. Essential for all life.