1. Biochemistry(Part II) - Carbs

2. II. Organic compounds – those which contain the element carbon.
Living protoplasm is composed of carbon connected by covalent bonds to many other elements.
*99.3% carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen
*0.6% sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, sulfur, and chlorine
*0.1% Trace elements – approximately 17 other elements

3. Why is Carbon important?
1. Carbon has 4 valence electrons, meaning it can form 4 strong covalent bonds with other elements.
2. Carbon can bond to other carbon atoms, as single, double, or triple bonds. These chains of unlimited length can form millions of different organic structures!

4. 4 major types of large organic compounds:

5. 1. Carbohydrates Examples: Glucose, galactose, fructose
Carbohydrates – containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Our most efficient energy source!
3 levels of carbohydrates:
A. Monosaccharide (monomer) – simple, single sugar C6H12O6
Examples: Glucose, galactose, fructose

6. 1. Carbohydrates (cont’d)
B. Disaccharides – double sugar (two bonded monosaccharides)
Glucose + Glucose = Maltose
Glucose + Fructose = Sucrose (baking sugar)

7. 1. Carbohydrates (cont’d)
C. Polysaccharides (polymer)– 3 or more monosaccharides
Examples:
STARCH – an important energy storage compound (converted to amalose in plants and glycogen in animals; stored in the liver)
Cellulose – an important structure/support compound in plants. The most abundant organic compound on earth!
Chitin – the exoskeletons of many organisms (insects, crabs, etc.). The second most abundant organic compound on earth.