1. CHEMISTRY OF LIFE

2. ALL organic compounds contain the element carbon.
Remember, carbon has a valence of 4.
Ie. Each carbon atom can form 4 bonds with other atoms.
These bonds can be:
( strong )
( stronger )
( strongest )

3. Carbon atoms bond together to form:
Straight Chain
Branched
Chain
Ring

4. Isomer – compounds that have the same molecular formula but
different structures. Ex. C6H12O6

5. Monomer – a single molecule that is a building block for larger molecules.
Polymer – a large molecule formed when monomers bond together.
To form a polymer, a condensation reaction is necessary and H2O
is released.
To break apart a polymer, a hydrolysis reaction must occur and
H2O is added.

6. Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids
There are 4 major types of organic compounds that make up
living things:
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids

7. CARBOHYDRATES

8. ALL carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen
and oxygen in a 1 : 2 : 1 ratio. Ex. C6H12O6
Carbohydrates can appear in 3 different forms:
1. Monosaccharides –
These are simple sugars.
“mono” means one
and “saccharide” means sugar.
* These are the monomers of all carbohydrates.

9. Disaccharides –
Two monosaccharides bonded together.
“di” means two.
Ex. Sucrose (table sugar ) comes from
glucose + fructose.

10. Polysaccharides –
“poly” means many monomers bonded together to form a large molecule.
These a complex sugars and starches.
Used for quick energy.
Stored in:
Plants – seeds, bulbs
(potatoes, turnips)
Mammals – liver in the
form of glycogen.
* Plant cell walls as cellulose (shape & support).

11. LIPIDS

12. Lipids are fats, oils, waxes, cholesterol, and steroids.
Monomer is a fatty acid.
Composed of CHO but not in a
1 : 2 : 1 ratio. Ex. Beef fat (C57H110O6)
hydrophobic – do not dissolve in water.
Used for energy storage, insulation and protection.
Fats –
Saturated – solid at room temp UNHEALTHY
Ex. Bacon grease, butter
Unsaturated – liquid at room temp HEALTHY
Ex. Olive oil

13. PROTEINS
(Aka – polypeptides)

14. Proteins are complex molecules made of CHO + Nitrogen and
sometimes Sulfur.
Monomer is an amino acid.
Amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds.
Proteins build tissues & organs and help conduct
chemical reactions.

15. NUCLEIC ACIDS

16. Nucleic acids are complex macromolecules that store genetic info.
Made of CHO + N + Phosphorous
Monomer is a nucleotide.
Two nucleic acids:
DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid – master code of life.
RNA – ribonucleic acid – important in protein synthesis.

17. The ENZYMES

18. Enzymes are proteins.
Enzymes are biological catalysts, ie. Speed up chemical reactions
by lowering the activation energy needed to start the reaction.
Most enzymes end in “ase”. Ex. Protease, lactase, maltase.

19. The substrate must fit exactly into the enzyme’s active site for
Enzyme operation is similar to a “lock & key”.
Enzyme substrate E-S complex enzyme products
The substrate must fit exactly into the enzyme’s active site for
the reaction to occur.
Enzymes are not generic – different enzymes for different
reactions.
The enzyme is reusable.

20. Denatured Enzymes
Enzyme shape has been changed.
Denatured enzymes will no longer work.
Enzymes can be denatured by:
1. increases in temperature
2. changes in pH
HOW FAST?
Enzymes can speed up chemical reactions by as much as
10,000,000,000 X’s.
Ie. A reaction that might take 1500 years to complete –
happens in 5 seconds with an enzyme!