1. Chemistry of Life
Organic Compounds

3. The Chemistry of Life 96% of Human Body made of just four elements:
C O H N
Others are called trace elements such as Mg, K, Ca, Na, Zn, etc.

4. Don’t Forget Water! Water 65% of your body is H2O water is inorganic
doesn’t contain carbon

5. Properties of Water Temperature
Takes a great deal of ENERGY to change water temperature….
Helps organisms maintain HOMEOSTASIS!
Molecule
Formula
Molecular mass
Melting point / °C
Boiling point / °C
Methane
CH4 16
-184
-161
Ammonia
NH3 17
-78
-33
Water
H2O 18
+100
Hydrogen fluoride HF 20
-92
+19
Hydrogen sulphide
H2S 34
-86
-61

6. Properties of Water Cohesion Attractive force b/ H2O particles
Provides a “skin” on surface

7. Properties of Water Adhesion
Water provides attractive force b/ unlike substances

8. Acids, Bases, and pH pH scale – concentration of H+ ions
ranges from 0-14
At 7, H+ and OH- ions are equal (neutral)
Pure water
Higher number = more basic
Lower number = more acidic

9. Acids
Compound that forms H+ ions in solution
Strong acids – pH of 1-3

10. Bases Compound that produces OH- ions
Contain lower concentrations of H+
Strong bases – pH of 11-14

11. Buffers Human body – pH of 6.5 – 7.5
Buffers – weak acids or bases that react with strong ones to prevent sudden changes in pH
Help regulate homeostasis

12. So far we have discussed water in our cells and in living organisms…
How much of your body is composed of water?
How much is NOT water?
What is this “other” stuff?

13. Organic Compounds… the other stuff!
Make up the other parts of your body that are NOT water!
What elements do you think you might find in organic compounds?

14. What does it mean for something to be organic?
Organic – in chemistry - means it contains the element CARBON!

16. Organic Compounds
Organic compound = a substance that contains the element carbon; organic compounds can be found in all living things

17. Organic Compounds Are all carbon compounds the same size? NO!
Huge range…
Some compounds have 1 carbon atom and others can have thousands of carbon atoms!

18. 4 Main Organic Compounds
Carbohydrate
Lipids
Nucleic Acid
Proteins

19. Molecular Chains
Monomer = a single unit that typically makes up a chain of molecules
Example = nucleotides, monosaccharide, fatty acid
Polymer = a large molecule formed when many smaller molecules bond together
Example – polysaccharide, oils, polypeptide

20. How are polymers and monomers bonded together?
Polymerization = (AKA condensation) making polymers
What do you think polymers are made of?

21. Polymerization
Why do you think “condensation” is another term for polymerization?

22. Can these bonds be broken?
Hydrolysis = breaking down polymers into smaller compounds
What do you think this might require?

23. 4 Main Organic Compounds
Carbohydrate
Lipids
Nucleic Acid
Proteins

24. For each organic compound you should know:
Elements that compose it
Major function(s)
Monomers
Polymers
Examples

25. Carbohydrates Elements that compose it: Major function(s) C, H, O
In a specific 1:2:1 ratio (ex: C6H12O6 – glucose)
Can be thought of as “hydrates of carbon” or C + H2O
Major function(s)
Quick energy (think about breakfast…)

26. Carbohydrates Monomers Polymers Examples
Monosaccharides (simple sugars)
Polymers
Polysaccharides (starches)
Examples
Glucose, table sugar (sucrose), cellulose
Usually end with “-ose”
Bread, potato, candy

27. Organic Compounds: Carbohydrates
Monomers of Carbs
Disaccharide
Polymers of Carbs
Monosaccharide
2 monosaccharides bonded together
3+ monosaccharides bonded together
Ex: glucose, fructose
Ex: Sucrose (table sugar)
Ex: cellulose (plant cells), glycogen (animal cells)

28. Sugars/Carbohydrates usually end with “-ose”

29. Create Diagram Carbohydrates Definition/purpose
Elements which build the organic compound
Carbohydrates
Food Examples
3 facts about Carbs

30. Lipids Lipids = nonpolar fats found in living organisms
Elements: C, H, O
Ratio: NOT 1:2:1 (like carbohydrates)
Example- CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7CO2H  oleic acid… in olive oil
Functions: long term storage, cushion, insulation, back-up energy supply

31. Lipids Monomers of Lipids: Fatty Acids + glycerol
Polymers of lipids: Lipids

32. Nucleic Acid Elements: C, H, O, P, N
Major function(s): Compose DNA and RNA– contain genetic information

33. Nucleic Acid Monomers: Nucleotides Polymers: Nucleic acids
3 parts: phosphate group, sugar (ribose), nitrogen base
Polymers: Nucleic acids
Examples : DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)

34. Tell if the following are carbs, lipids, or nucleic acids:
Potato
Olive oil
RNA
Starch
Bread
Sucrose
Glucose
DNA

35. Proteins Elements that compose it: C, H, O, N
Major function(s): structure, cell transport, long term energy storage, cell signaling,

36. Proteins Elements that compose it: C, H, O, N Major function(s):
structure
cell transport
long term energy storage
cell signaling
cellular activities coded in genes

37. Proteins Monomers = amino acids Polymers = polypeptide (aka protein)
POLYPEPTIDES ARE BONDED
WITH A PEPTIDE BOND
Examples
Soy, meat, enzymes, transport proteins, pigments

38. Protein Structure

39. Types of Proteins Insulin Hemoglobin Enzymes (-ase)
Metabolism and utilization of energy from nutrients
Hemoglobin
Transports oxygen in our bodies
Enzymes (-ase)
Speeds up reactions

40. Create Diagram for Rest…
Definition/purpose
Chemical Structure (smallest unit
Lipid/Nucleic Acid/Proteins
Food Examples
3 facts about each

41. Enzymes: Special Kinds of Proteins
Enzyme = a protein that helps regulate chemical reactions
Do this by lowering the energy required to initiate a reaction
Lowering the activation energy speeds up the reaction
In short: enzymes speed rxn rates by lowering activation energy

42. Naming Enzymes Most all enzymes end with “-ase”
Belong to the protein group of organic compounds
Examples:
Lactase
Catalase
Helicase
Peroxidase
Hydrogenase

43. Enzymes are said to be CATALYSTS
Catalyst = a substance that lowers activation energy required for a chemical reaction to occur

44. Can enzymes be affected?
Yes!
Can be “de-natured” or rendered unusable by changes in the cell’s physical and chemical environment
2 Major things:
Temperature pH

45. Specific Functions in Body
Break down substances quickly (saliva)
Salivary amylase
Speed up Reactions
Lower activation energy (energy required for a reaction)

46. How catalysts work:

47. Enzymes are SPECIFIC!
Lock and Key model = the model that shows that enzymes are specific to the substrates on which they act

48. How Enzymes Work Video

49. Enzyme Terms
Activation energy = energy required for the chemical reaction to occur
Active site = location on enzyme where the substrate will attach
Substrate = substance that is changed by an enzyme
Product = the product of the enzyme reaction; the changed substrate

51. Other enzyme terms:
Cofactors or Coenzymes - a non-protein enzyme helper
Enzyme Inhibitors - chemicals which interfere with enzyme function
Enzyme Enhancers - chemicals which increase enzyme function

53. Enzyme does NOT change after reaction!
Enzyme can be re-used!

54. Temperature and Enzymes

55. pH and Enzymes