1. Biochemistry Notes

2. I. Inorganic compunds Non-carbon-based molecules Ex: ammonia (NH 3 ) water (H 2 O)

3. II. Organic molecules Carbon-based molecules Ex: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids (DNA, RNA)

4. III. Carbon Most molecules of cells are carbon- based “Biomolecules” are made of a backbone of carbon atoms Carbon has 4 valence electrons and can form 4 covalent bonds Carbon can also bond easily with other carbon atoms

5. CARBOHYDRATES FOODS - Plant-based - Bread, cereal, rice, potatoes, corn, candy ELEMENTS C H O Always in 1:2:1 ratio Ex: C 6 H 12 O 6 FUNCTION - Energy - Structure in plants - Fiber SMALL UNITS -“Monosaccharides” like glucose - “Disaccharides like table sugar LARGE UNITS - “Polysaccharides” like starch, glycogen, and cellulose OTHER - People cannot digest cellulose so we call it “FIBER”

6. PROTEINS FOODS -Meat - Soybeans/tofu - Nuts ELEMENTS C H O N FUNCTION - Build muscle - Speed up chemical reactions - Immune system - Insulin SMALL UNITS -Amino Acids - 20 essential LARGE UNITS - Polypeptides, made of many amino acids OTHER - “Denaturing”: protein bends out of shape and can not function any more any more

7. LIPIDS FOODS - Lard - Red meat - Olive oil - Salad dressings - Other: wax, red meat ELEMENTS C H O Little oxygen FUNCTION - Long-term energy storage - Cell membrane - Waterproofing/insulation - Hormones SMALL UNITS - Fats: 1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids - Some liquid @ room temp. “unsaturated fats” - Some solid @ room temp. “saturated fats” LARGE UNITS -Steroids: 4 fused-ring structures - Make hormones - Ex: cholesterol OTHER - Lipids do NOT mix with water - Cholesterol can build up in arteries causing disease or heart attacks attacks