1. Bio-Chemistry
What is it?
BIO

2. Bio VS Chem Biology refers to the study of living things
Chemistry is the study of the
composition of matter and
reactions between different
substances
Biochemistry is the study of the reactions that occur in living things.
We study it because the chemistry of our bodies (pH, temperature, etc.) have a strong influence on how we function.

3. Organic VS Inorganic
Inorganic – Molecules or compounds that are not from a living thing
Organic – Molecules or compounds that are typically found in living things (these contain a hydrogen bonded to a carbon)
Organic compounds always have carbon and hydrogen, but typically have nitrogen and oxygen as well.
These four elements (carbon, hydrogen ,oxygen, and nitrogen) are the most abundant elements found in living things

4. Organic Molecules Which of the following compounds are organic?
Water (H2O)
Glucose (C6H12O6)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Oxygen (O2)
Urea (CH4N2O)
Salt (NaCl)
How did you determine this?

5. Organic Compounds There are four classes of organic compounds:
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Nucleic Acids
These are the molecules that you (and ALL living things) are made of

6. 4 Important Molecule Types
Carbohydrates
Sugars (anything sweet)
Grains (pasta, bread, rice, cereal, etc.)
Lipids
Fats (oil, butter, grease, etc.)
Proteins
Meats (fish, eggs, steak, beans, etc.)
Nucleic Acids
DNA and RNA (found in every living cell)

7. Indicators
Substances used to test the presence of a specific substance
Many times an indicator will change color when it combines with its specific molecule
Benedict’s Solution – turns from blue to yellow in the presence of glucose
Iodine – changes from amber to dark blue in the presence of starch
Paper Towel – turns shiny when a lipid is placed on its surface
To find DNA we use many different indicators

8. Biochemistry
Temperature and pH can affect the bonds and structure of certain molecules, so it is very important that our bodies stay at the appropriate pH and temperature (this is why we perform homeostasis)
Temperature is a measure of how quickly molecules are moving; the faster the molecules are moving the higher the temperature is.
pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a liquid solution is.

9. pH The pH scale goes from 0-14 Below 7 is considered acidic
7 is neutral (water)
Above 7 is considered basic
The farther away from 7 the
number gets the more acidic
or basic something gets
For example vinegar has a
pH of 3, but sulfuric acid (so acidic it can burn through skin) has a pH of less than 1

10. Enzymes All living things contain enzymes Enzymes are proteins
that allow chemical
reactions to occur (ex: cellular respiration, protein synthesis, photosynthesis, digestion, etc)
Enzymes work best at a specific temperature and pH
This is why our bodies must maintain homeostasis (so our enzymes can work properly)

11. Enzymes
Enzymes are substrate specific (this means they only bind to specific molecules)
Example: Saliva contains amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch
So, only molecules or cells with certain receptors will bind to the enzyme
This prevents enzymes from digesting everything they come in contact with

12. Digestion
Digestion is the process by which large molecules are broken down into their smaller subunits
Our digestive systems contain special chemicals that break down the food we eat
Example: Our saliva contains amylase which breaks down starch into simple sugars like glucose.

13. Synthesis
Synthesis is the process of attaching small molecules together to make a larger molecule
Many times this is done by removing a water molecules therefore dehydration synthesis
Example: When you attach a bunch of molecules to glucose together you make a starch molecule