1. Chemical Compounds and Living Things
Biochemistry
Chemical Compounds and Living Things

2. Elements of Life 96% of your body consist of the following elements:
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
3% - P, S, Ca, K, Na, Mg, Fe, Cl
1%- trace elements

3. Organic vs. Inorganic Organic Inorganic Contains carbon
Living or once lived
Examples- wood, grass, humans, dinosaurs, diamonds, petroleum
Inorganic
Does not contain carbon
Nonliving
Examples- oxygen, metals, rocks, water

4. Polymerization
Monomer- a monomer is the building block molecule of a polymer. It is one unit of a compound.
For example- amino acids are the monomers for proteins, each train car are linked together to form a whole train

5. Polymer A large molecule made up of many identical monomers.
Ex. The wall is a polymer made of many individual cinder blocks (monomers).
Condensation reaction: joining monomers by releasing water.
Hydrolysis: adding water to break a polymer down.

6. Macromolecules/ Compounds of Life
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic acids

7. Carbohydrates Carbohydrates- produce the bodies quick energy
Monomer: Sugars (monosaccharides)
Ex. Glucose, fructose
Starches- long chain of simple sugars.
Ex.-bread, rice, corn, pasta, cereal
Cellulose- long, twisted chain of sugars. Not digestible by humans
Chitin- long chain of twisted hard cellulose found in the exoskeleton of invertebrates

8. Lipids Function: Stored energy
Monomer: 3 fatty acids attached to 1 glycerol chain
Hydrophobic- don’t dissolve in water
Examples: Lard, butter, veggie oil, hormones, steroids
Saturated fat
Usually solid at room temperature
Most animal fats
Unsaturated fat
Usually liquid at room temperature
Most plant fats

9. Proteins Made of amino acids
Proteins have many functions in the body including:
Support structures (cell membrane)
Transport Substances (hemoglobin carries oxygen)
Defense (antibodies)
Speed Reactions (ENZYMES!)
Muscles, Skin, and hair are proteins!

10. Nucleic Acids Store and transmit genetic information
Monomers: Nucleotides
Two types of Nucleic Acids:
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
Controls cell activity
Passed from generation to generation
Found in the nucleus
RNA (ribonucleic acid)
Functions in actual synthesis of proteins
Both will be discussed further in genetics unit