1. Chemistry of Life: Organic Molecules
Biology 1
Mrs. Rakers
Fall 2012

2. Proficiency Goals!!
Explains the four organic molecules and the importance of how they impact living organisms, and give an example of each.
Advanced Goals!!
Determines which organic molecule would be most important given specific functions, and can predict what may happen to an organism that does not have access to those molecules.

3. 1st Let’s discuss what makes a molecule…..
Atoms- smallest unit of matter that cannot be broken down by any chemical means
made up of protons, neutrons and electrons
protons= positive charge
neutrons= no charge
electrons= negative charge
opposites attract
negative charges are attracted to positive charges
atoms consist of mostly empty spaces

4. Neutrons (no charge) and protons (positive charge) are in the nucleus
Electrons (negative charge) move around outside the nucleus in the electron cloud.

6. Two or more atoms of the same kind create an element
Two or more elements combined make a compound. (molecule)
Ex: Na+ and Cl- make NaCl (table salt)
Na- Sodium and Cl- is Chloride

7. Organic Molecules (Carbon Compounds)- #1 Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates- compounds of life made of C, H, and O (C-Carbon, H-Hydrogen, and O-Oxygen)
Monosaccharides: single sugar (Ex. Glucose)
Polysaccharides: many monosaccharides (Ex. Common table sugar is glucose and fructose)
Importance of Carbohydrates to life
Main(short-term) energy source of cells- glucose (C6H12O6)
energy storage in plant cells- starch
energy storage in animal cells- glycogen
cell walls of plants- cellulose

8. Where do we find carbohydrates?
Potatoes
Breads
Pastas
Sugars
Carbohydrates are the short-term energy supply for organisms.

9. Organic Molecules #2- Lipids
Lipids- compounds of life made of lots of C & H (C- Carbon and H- Hydrogen) (fats, oils, waxes, steriods)
Most lipids do not dissolve well in water (covalent bonds)
Importance of lipids to life:
long term energy storage
provide structure of cell membranes
chemical messengers: steroids like estrogen, testosterone, and cholesterol.

10. Where do we find lipids? Butter Lard Grease Olive Oil Vegetable Oil
Lipids are the long-term energy storage for organisms

11. Organic Molecules #3- Proteins
Proteins- Compounds of life made of nitrogen, C, O and H (Carbon, Oxygen, and Hydrogen)
Amino Acids: building blocks of proteins
Importance of proteins to life:
body structure: muscles, bone, collagen, cartilage, hair
transport: hemoglobin- red chemical in blood to transport oxygen
fight diseases: antibodies
control and speed up chemical reactions: enzymes

12. Where do we find proteins?
Meat, Chicken, Fish,
Milk, Eggs, Beans, Nuts
Again, proteins can provide structural support, they can be enzymes and speed up chemical reactions, they can be hemoglobin which carries oxygen in your body, and they can be antibodies and fight diseases.

13. Organic Molecules #4- Nucleic Acids
Nucleotides- composed of a sugar, a base and a phosphate
Importance of nucleic acids to life:
store and move hereditary or genetic information within all cells
DNA- two strands that spiral around each other
stores hereditary information

14. RNA- one single strand
makes proteins
acts as an enzyme
ATP- single nucleotide with two extra energy storing phosphate groups (stores energy temporarily)

15. Where do we find nucleic acids?
Any whole cellular foods:
Meat, veggies, fruit, whole grains, and eggs
HOWEVER, organisms basically produce their own!
Eating a lot of protein (which contains amino acids) are then going to be available for the production of nucleic acids.

16. Four Organic Molecules Practice Video