1. Biochemistry
Module 2
USE YOUR GRAPHIC ORGANIZER FOR THESE NOTES!

2. Inorganic vs. Organic
There are 6 essential elements for living things:
Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur (CHNOPS)
Elements combine to make molecules.
Molecules are either inorganic or organic:
Inorganic – do not contain the element carbon
Ex. H2O, NaCl, H2SO4
Organic – contain the element carbon
Ex. C6H12O6, CH4

3. Acids and Bases Inorganic Compounds contain acids and bases:
Measured on a pH scale
Acids Neutral Bases
What IS an acid or a base?
Acid – Hydrogen DONOR Base – Hydrogen ACCEPTOR H+
H OH-
H OH-
OH H+
OH- H+
OH-

4. Buffers
Living things regulate their internal environment to maintain homeostasis – a constant internal environment
Living things have buffers in their cells to help regulate pH
Buffers either DONATE or ACCEPT hydrogen ions
Buffers help to maintain homeostasis by stabilizing pH
Too much Hydrogen? Buffers ACCEPT – make less acidic
Too little Hydrogen? Buffers DONATE – make more acidic

5. Organic Compounds – The Core 4
Carbohydrates
Elements
C, H,O
Monomer / Subunit
Monosaccharide
Function
Short term energy YouTube - Gummy Bear,
Structural material
Examples
Sugar, Starch, Cellulose, Glycogen

6. Carbohydrates

7. Organic Compounds – The Core 4
Lipids
Elements
C, H,O
Monomer / Subunit
Glycerol and fatty acids
Function
Long term energy, insulation, component of cell membrane
Examples
Fats, oils, waxes

8. Lipids

9. Organic Compounds – The Core 4
Nucleic Acids
Elements
C, H,O, N, P
Monomer / Subunit
Nucleotide
Function
Controls all cellular activities
Examples
DNA, RNA

10. Nucleic Acids

11. Organic Compounds – The Core 4
Proteins
Elements
C, H,O, N, P, S
Monomer / Subunit
Amino Acid
Function
Basic building material for life
Examples
Hormones, antibodies, pigments, enzymes

12. Proteins

13. Enzymes: A special type of protein
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in cells of living things.
Enzymes do this by lowering the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur.

14. Enzyme Mediated Pathway
Enzymes may put substances together (synthesis) OR may break them apart (decomposition)
Substrate
Products
Enzyme
Enzyme – Substrate complex

15. Enzyme Function Enzymes fit with their substrates like a lock and key
If an enzyme loses its shape, it will not fit!
An enzyme losing its shape is called denaturing.

16. Characteristics of Enzymes
Enzymes are:
Specific – one enzyme, one substrate
Reusable – not used up in a reaction