1. The Chemistry of Life Organic Compounds Inorganic Compound
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids
ATP
Inorganic Compound
Water

2. The Basics
All living things are composed of cells, but what are cells made of?
Everything, living & nonliving, is made up of atoms.
A single type of atom is called an element.
An element cannot be separated by ordinary chemical means into simpler substances.
A combination of different types of atoms is called a molecule or compound
Molecules containing carbon & found in living things are called organic compounds.

3. Periodic Table of Elements

4. Organic Compounds Carbohydrates
Composed of the elements Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), and Oxygen (O)
Hydrogen & Oxygen are found in a specific ratio
Ex. (sugar/glucose) - C6H12O6
Reduces to CH2O
Name literally means ‘hydrated carbon’ =
(Carbon + Water)

5. Organic Compounds Used for energy in living things
Sugars, like glucose are considered “simple” carbohydrates.
Starches are considered “complex” carbohydrates.

6. Organic Compounds Lipids Composed of C, H, & O Cannot mix with water
Fats in animals. Oils in plants.
Used for energy, biological membranes, and chemical messengers
Cells are surrounded by a special lipid called a phospholipid

7. Organic Compounds
Lipid molecule

8. Organic Compounds Proteins Composed of C, H, O, and Nitrogen (N)
Chains of amino acids link together to build protein
Help carry out chemical reactions and allow cells to move
Form structures like hair, fingernails, and feathers
Most enzymes
Lower the energy needed to carry out reactions in the body

9. Organic Compounds
Protein example: hemoglobin

10. Organic Compounds Nucleic Acids
Composed of C, H, O, N, and Phosphorous (P)
Chains of nucleotides link together to form
Store and transmit genetic information = all the directions for all of the cells’ processes
2 kinds
DNA – the “blueprints” of life
RNA

12. Organic Compounds ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
Composed of C, H, O, N, and P
The energy used in the cell
The stored energy found in carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are transferred to ATP before the cell can use it.

13. Inorganic Compound Water Composed of H and O: H2O
Most abundant chemical in living things
Required for almost every chemical process that takes place in a living cell.