1. Biochemistry: Chemical Reactions Chemical Constituents
Chemical Basis of Life
Biochemistry:
Chemical Reactions
Chemical Constituents

2. Chemistry Composition of substances and how they change
Importance in understanding physiology
Body’s functions result from cellular functions that result from chemical changes
Food, liquids, medications are chemicals
Biochemistry
Explains physiological processes and aids in development of new medications/treatment for diseases

3. Chemical Reactions Acids, Bases, Salts
Ionic substances placed in water dissolve
Resulting solution has electrically charged particles (ions)
Electrolytes release ions into water
Release hydrogen ions (H+) called acids
Combine with hydrogen ions called bases
Bases can react with acids to neutralize
Releasing water and electrolytes (salts)

4. Acid and Bases Concentration affect many life processes
pH scale (0 – 14)
As H+ ions increase, pH number decreases
Hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions are always in balance with one another
When one increases the other decreases

5. Narrow Range Organisms function in a vary narrow range
pH of blood 7.35 to 7.45
Alkalosis pH 7.5 – 7.8
Agitated and dizzy
Caused by rapid breathing, too many antacids, high fever, anxiety, mild vomiting
Acidosis pH 7.0 – 7.3
Disoriented, fatigued, and difficult breathing
Severe vomiting, diabetes, impaired breathing, lung, kidney disease
Buffers resist pH change
Combine or donate hydrogen ions

6. Chemical Constituents
Organic
Organic contains hydrogen and carbon atoms
Organic molecules have longs chains or ring structures as a result of carbons ability to form 4 covalent bonds
nonelectrolytes
Inorganic
Dissolve in water forming ions (electrolytes)

7. Inorganic Substances
Water
Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide
Inorganic Salts

8. Water Nature’s Solvent Most abundant compound in living systems
2/3 weight of adult human
polar water molecules separate molecules into substances or ions
More likely to react when separated
Transports chemicals in body
Absorbs and transports heat

9. Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
Used to release energy from nutrients
Carbon Dioxide
Waste product
Reacts with water becoming carbonic acid
Respiratory organs to be exhaled
Rd pg 61 “shadow box” CO and NO

10. Inorganic Salts Abundant in body fluids
For example; sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, carbonate, bicarbonate, sulfate
Metabolism, water concentrations, pH, blood clotting, bone development, energy transfer, muscle and nerve function (to name a few)
Regularly gains and loses electrolytes

11. Organic Substances
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids

12. Carbohydrates (sugars)
Energy needed for cell, cell structure, energy reserve
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen (1:2:1 ratio)
Classified by size (ex. Monosaccharide)
Complex sugar polysaccharide (cellulose)
Cannot be digested by humans (dietary fiber)
Starch long chain of glucose molecules
Digested and stored in liver and muscles as glycogen

13. Lipids Insoluble in water (non polar)
Fats, phospholipids, and steriods
Cell membranes and energy
Made up of fatty acids and glycerol
Saturated
Unsaturated
Rd “shadow box” pg 63

14. Phospholipids and Steroids
Cell membrane (phosphate head, fatty acid tail)
Steroids
Cholesterol, sex hormones, and hormones from adrenal glands

15. Proteins Made up of amino acids 20 types
Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Shape determine function
Structural materials, energy sources, chemical messengers, cell markers, receptors, oxygen transport, movement, enzyme
Rd “shadow box” pg 66

16. Nucleic Acids DNA and RNA Nucleotides (sugar, base, phosphate)
Genetic material