1. Chemistry of Living Things
Chapter 2
Chemistry of Living Things

2. Objectives Relate the importance of chemistry and biochemistry to
health care
Define matter and energy
Explain the structure of an atom, an element and a compound
Explain the importance of water to our body
Describe the four main groups of organic compounds:
carbohydrates, fats, proteins and nucleic acids
Explain the difference between the DNA molecule and the
RNA molecule
Explain the difference between an acid, base and salt
Describe why homeostasis is necessary for good health
Define the key words that relate to this chapter

3. Terms
Chemistry
Matter
Energy

4. Atoms Atom Subatomic particles Smallest piece of an element Proton
Neutron
Electron

5. Terms
Elements
Compounds
Molecules

6. been man-made by scientists.
Elements
There are 92 elements found naturally in our world; additional elements have
been man-made by scientists.

7. Ions and Electrolytes Ion - Positive and negative charges Electrolytes
- electrically charged particles that help
determine fluid and acid-base balance

8. Types of Compounds Inorganic compounds Organic compounds
Normally do not contain carbon
Water is 55-65% of the body weight
Organic compounds
Found in living things
Always have carbon

9. Organic Compounds Four Main Groups Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins
Nucleic acids

10. Carbohydrates Elements Three Groups Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
Monosaccharides
Disaccharides
Polysaccharides

11. Lipids Elements Characteristics Types Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
Lipids are an important source of stored energy
Lipids make up essential steroid hormones
Lipids help to insulate the body
Types
Fats
Phospholipids
Steroids - contains cholesterol
Liver can manufacture cholesterol without a food source

12. Proteins Elements Most diverse and essential organic compound
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen and often, phosphorus and sulfur
Most diverse and essential organic compound
Found in every living part of a living cell
Amino acids

13. Enzymes Specialized protein molecule found in all living cells
Help control chemical reactions
Organic catalysts
Highly specific in its action

14. Nucleic Acids
Organic compound containing carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and phosphorus
Structure of nucleic acids
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
Heredity
Chromosomes
Identification
RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)
Ribonucleic acid

15. Acids, Bases and Salts Many inorganic and organic compounds
found in living organisms are ones that we
use in our daily lives. They can be classified
into one of three groups
– acids, bases and salts

16. Acids
Sour taste
When dissolved in water, will ionize into positively charged hydrogen ions (H+) and negatively charged ions of some other element or more simply
Yields hydrogen ions (H+) in solution
Litmus paper testing

17. Bases Bitter taste Also called alkali
When dissolved in water, ionizes into negatively charged hydroxide (OH-) and positively charged ions of a metal
Litmus paper testing

18. Neutralization and Salts
Exchange reaction
Acid + base = salt + water
HCL + NaOH = NaCL + H2O

19. pH Scale Measure of acidity or alkalinity Ranges from 0 to 14
pH of 7 = neutral
pH = acid
pH = alkaline

20. Homeostasis
Homeostasis is essential for living cells to function optimally
Maintenance of balanced pH
Through compound called a buffer (NaHCO3)
Optimum cell functioning requires a stable
cellular fluid environment
Intracellular and extracellular fluids