Chemistry of Life
Jan 02, 2016
Inorganic molecules: Are not made of both C AND H
Organic Molecules: Contain C AND H; may have other elements
- hydrocarbons: organic molecules that have ONLY C and H
WATER:
Body is 65- 75% on average
Functions of water:
Solvent
Medium
Moistens Surfaces
Temperature Regulation
Cushion
Transportation
Hydrolysis
Sense Organs
Lubrication
MineralsMain Functions:
- help maintain fluid balance
- act as a pH buffer
- aid in structure of cells and body
- allow nervous system to work
Examples: Na, Cl, K, P, Ca, Fe
The 4 major compounds in the cell are all types of Macromolecules
First we build a smallish organic molecule.
Macro = BIG
Then we link many of those together building a chain
Dehydration synthesis: chemical reaction that joins two or more monomers to form polymers plus a water molecule (Building)
Dehydration synthesis:
- Step 2: Remove an H from monomer 1 and an OH from monomer 2
- The H and OH combine to form water
OHO OH+
HOH = H2O
HOH
Dehydration synthesis:
Final products:
1 Growing chain - (beginnings of a polymer)
1 Water molecule
OHO OH + H2O
Hydrolysis: Chemical reaction that uses water to separate polymers into monomers. (Break apart)
- Exactly the opposite of Dehydration synthesis
Hydrolysis:
- Step 2: Break water into 1 H and 1 OH
- Add the H to one monomer and the OH to the other;
OHO OH
H HO
CARBOHYDRATES
Monomer of carbs: monosaccharide - means “one sweet unit” - these are the simple sugars - made of C, H and O in a 1:2:1 ratio
CARBOHYDRATES
Examples of Carbs:
Sugars: glucose, ribose, fructose, sucrose, lactose
Starch: Amylose
Fiber: Cellulose
CARBOHYDRATES
Function of Carbs:
1.Simple FAST Energy for the cell
• monosaccharides = instant energy
• polysaccharides = short term storage of energy - Plants use starch - Animals use glycogen
CARBOHYDRATES
Function of Carbs
2. Are used for building structures
Plants: cellulose is used for cell wall
Animals: chitin is used for exoskeleton
Chitin and cellulose are polysaccharides
Lipids - FatsNo true monomer – can’t make long chains;
One type of Lipid molecule is called a Triglyceride and is made of:
1 glycerol molecule + 3 Fatty Acids
LipidsBuilding or breaking apart a lipid uses same reactions as carbs:
Dehydration synthesis is used to connect each fatty acid (three total) to the glycerol
- three water molecules are made
Hydrolysis is used to break each fatty acid off of the glycerol
- three water molecules are used
Cholesterol (a steroid)
Ring structure is characteristic of all steroids including reproductive hormones
Lipids
Functions of lipids:
1. Reserve, long term energy storage
2. Structure: plasma membrane of all cells and parts within cells are made of phospholipids;
3. Insulation
4. Produce reproductive hormones
Is Atkins or the South Beach diet really good for you??
Why has society become anti-carb?
Dieting:
Are fats and “carbs” really evil??
Proteins
There are 20 different amino acids
- all have same amino end, carboxyl end and central carbon
- EACH has a different R group
Amino acids are made of:
C, H, O, N, and S (in R group of some)
Amino acids are linked together to form polypeptides
Uses the Same chemical reactions
NHH
CH
C OH
O
R
NHH
CH
C OH
O
R
+
Amino acids are linked together to form polypeptides
Step 1: remove H and OH
NHH
CH
C
OH
O
R
N
H
HCH
C OH
O
R
+
Amino acids are linked together to form polypeptides
Step 2: Link rest of monomers together
OH
NHH
CH
C
O
R
H
NH
CH
C OH
O
R
Amino acids are linked together to form polypeptides
Product: growing chain + 1 water molecule
OHNHH
CH
C
O
R
HNH
CH
C OH
O
R
+
New bond; Called peptide bond
Amino acids are linked together to form polypeptides
To become a “protein” a polypeptide must be folded into a unique 3D shape
Only proteins have a “job”.
Polypeptides don’t “work” until folded
Examples of proteins and their function
1.Cartilage: builds part of our body; structural protein
2.Hormones: chemical messengers
3.Enzymes: speed up chemical reactions; needed for ALL reactions
4.Antibodies: fight disease
Nucleic Acids
Monomer of nucleic acid: nucleotide
Nucleotides have three parts:
Sugar: ribose or deoxyribose
Phosphate group: PO3
Nitrogen Base – one of 5 different kinds
Structure of Nucleic Acids
P oH
OH
H
H
H
BaseCH2
H
P = Phosphate = H2PO3
Elements of NA: C,H,O,N and P
Nucleic Acids
Function of nucleic acids:
- “info molecules”;
- hold the information on how to make all proteins
- Essentially tell your body how to do everything
Nucleic Acids
Only two kinds:
1. DNA: Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid - “hard drive”of the cell;
- holds the directions to make proteins - MASTER copy of all the information
Nucleic Acids
Only two kinds:
2. RNA: Ribose Nucleic Acid; - transfers info from DNA to ribosomes (protein factories)- temporary copy of one recipe at a time
- “CD/flash drive of the cell”
Differences between RNA and DNA
RNA:
Single stranded Helix
Ribose is the sugar in all RNA nucleotides
Choice of nitrogen bases: Adenine, Uracil, Guanine, Cytosine
Differences between RNA and DNA
DNA:
Double stranded Helix
Deoxyribose is the sugar in all DNA nucleotides
Choice of nitrogen bases: Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, Cytosine
Structure of Nucleic Acids
- Build/broken down using same reactions!!
P oH
OH
H
H
H
BaseCH2
H
P = Phosphate = H2PO3