1. Basic Chemistry of Life

2. Matter & Energy Matter Energy
Anything that occupies space & has mass
Composes elements
C,H,O & N make up 96% of human mass
C,H,O,N,P & Ca make up 99% of human mass
Can undergo physical & chemical changes
Energy
The ability to do work – puts matter into motion
Kinetic Energy: energy doing work
Potential Energy: stored energy
All living things are built of matter & require energy to grow & function

3. Elements & Atoms Smallest unit of an element is an atom
Atomic Structure:
Nucleus – consists of protons (+) & neutrons (o)
Electron cloud – electrons (-) orbit the nucleus in specific energy levels
Atomic # = # of protons
#protons = # of electrons
Atomic mass = # of protons + # of neutrons

4. Molecules & Compounds Molecule Compound
Smallest unit of two or more combined atoms
Ex: H2, C6H12O6, O2
Compound
A molecule containing two or
more different kinds of atoms
Ex: CH4, H2O
Compounds have unique properties that are different from the elements that compose them.

5. Chemical Bonds
The electrons are the part of the atom involved in bonding.
Types of Bonds:
Ionic Bonds
Electrons are transferred from one atom to another
Covalent Bonds
Pairs of valence electrons are shared between atoms.
Most bonds in living organisms are covalent
Hydrogen Bonds (weak bonds)
Provide temporary bonding between certain atoms in large complex molecules such as proteins & nucleic acids

8. Chemical Reactions The formation & breakdown of compounds.
Synthesis Reaction (A + B = AB)
Decomposition Reactions (AB = A + B)
Exchange Reactions (AB + C = AC + B)
Metabolism – sum of all chemical reactions in the body.
Formation of bonds requires energy
Breaking of bonds releases energy

9. Types of Chemical Compounds
Inorganic Compounds
Lack carbon & contain ionic bonds
Resist decomposition
Ex: water, salts, & many acids & bases
Organic Compounds
Contain carbon & usually hydrogen
Covalently bonded
Ex: Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, & nucleic acids
Both are equally essential to life!

10. Inorganic Compounds Water Acids, Bases, & Salts (electrolytes)
Most abundant substance in the body
Excellent solvent & suspension medium
Important in chemical reactions, absorbs
& releases heat, lubricates, and protects
Acids, Bases, & Salts (electrolytes)
Form ions in water – Acids (H+) and Bases (OH-)
pH of different parts of the body must remain constant
Buffer system eliminates excess H+ ions and OH- ions in order to maintain pH homeostasis

11. Formation & Breakdown of Organic Molecules
Built by bonding small molecules together to form long chains called polymers (like a string of pearls)
Dehydration Synthesis
A bond forms from the loss of a water molecule
Ex: protein synthesis
Hydrolysis
Breaking bonds with the addition of a water molecule
Ex: digestion

12. Organic Compounds: Carbohydrates
Sugars & starches composed of carbon, hydrogen, & oxygen
Store & release energy – 3 types
Monosaccharides – simple sugars
Building blocks of carbohydrates
Ex: glucose & fructose
Disaccharides – two simple sugars
Ex: sucrose, lactose, maltose
Polysaccharides – many sugars
Long branching chains of monosaccharides
Ex: starch & glycogen

14. Organic Compounds: Lipids
Fats, phospholipids, & steroids.
Composed of lots of carbon & hydrogen, with less oxygen.
C57H110O6
Protect, insulate, & provide long-term energy storage
Types:
Triglycerides
3 fatty acids & glycerol
Phospholipids
2 fatty acids, glycerol, & a phosphate group
Steroids – 4 rings (cholesterol)

16. Lipids Continued
Saturated Fats – fatty acid chains of carbon with only single bonds
Generally solid at room temperature
Ex: butter & steak fat
Unsaturated Fats – fatty acid chains of carbon with double bonds
Generally liquid at room temperature (oils)
Ex: peanut oil, corn oil, olive oil, etc…

17. Organic Compounds: Proteins
50% of the organic matter in the body
Contain C, H, O, N, & sometimes S
Composed of long chains of amino acids
Uses:
Make up cell membranes
Build structures (like muscles)
Carry out metabolic processes (enzymes carry out chemical reactions)
Defensive of the body
There are 1000ths of different proteins each with a unique shape & function.
Ex catalase, lactase, amylase, hemoglobin, actin, etc…

18. Enzymes & Substrates Proteins that speed-up chemical reactions
Enzymes are specific for the reactant they work with (like a lock & a key).
Depends on the enzyme’s
shape
The reactant that an enzyme
works with is called its
substrate
Only one type of substrate will fit each enzyme
The substrate fits into a region of the enzyme called the active site.

20. Factors Affecting Enzymes
Temperature
There is an optimum temperature for enzyme reactions pH
There is an optimum pH for enzyme reactions
Amount of enzymes
The more enzymes available the faster the reaction
Amount of substrate
The more substrate available the faster the reaction
Changes in temperature or pH may cause enzymes to become “denatured”
Changes enzymes shape & they can no longer bind to the substrate…will render the enzymes functionless

22. Nucleic Acids Organic compound composed of Nucleotides
Sugar, phosphate, & nitrogen base
Types: DNA & RNA
DNA – double helix
Organism’s information code
RNA – single helix
Involved in protein synthesis

24. ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate
Major energy storing molecule in living things
Used in all life processes
Consists of an Adenine, a ribose sugar, & three phosphate groups
Formation of ATP – stores energy
Breakdown of ATP – releases energy