BASIC BIOCHEMISTRY

All organisms are made up of cells Cells are made up of atoms, elements, compounds and molecules

Atoms The small particles that make up all matter Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space

Elements A substance made up of one kind of atom There are 92 naturally found elements on Earth

The 6 most important elements that are major components of our bodies are: 1. carbon 2. hydrogen 3. nitrogen 4. oxygen 5. phosphorus 6. sulfur

Compounds Compounds are 2 or more elements that are combined chemically The process is called chemical bonding

Molecules The smallest particle of an element or compound

Organic and inorganic compounds Living things are made up of inorganic and organic compound

Organic compounds All organic compounds contain both carbon and hydrogen

Organic compounds carry out many different complex tasks that keep us and all other organisms alive: Capturing and transforming energy Building new structures Storing materials Repairing structures Keeping all chemical activities in the body working properly

The types of organic compounds found in living things are: Carbohydrates Proteins Lipids Nucleic acids

Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are formed from the elements hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon

Carbohydrates include Starch Simple sugars Glucose Sucrose Fructose the starches are broken down into sugars

Carbohydrates The main functions of carbohydrates are short-term energy storage and providing strong building materials for certain types of cells Our muscles must contain stored energy to allow them to work at a moment’s notice

What foods belong to the carbohydrate group?

Lipids The building blocks of lipids are fatty acids and glycerol lipids are broken down into glycerides and fatty acids.

Functions of lipids during fasting, they provide a source of energy Energy stored in lipids is for long-term use Chemical messengers to form the cell membrane insulation and protection from cold; maintenance of body temperature Protect vital organs Lipids in your body are essential for proper digestion and absorption of food and nutrients

What foods belong to the Lipids group? Oils and fats make up Lipids

Proteins Proteins are constructed by combining smaller individual subunits called amino acids Proteins are broken down into amino acids.

Proteins are responsible for a wide variety of functions and traits in organism: 1. they are used for building muscles 2. to transport other substances

3. to send signals in the body 4.To provide defense[immunity] 5. to control chemical and metabolic activities

What foods belong to the protein group?

Nucleic acids DNA and RNA are 2 kinds of nucleic acids found in living things The function of nucleic acids are to store and communicate genetic information

Inorganic compounds Compounds that do not contain both carbon and hydrogen at the same time The principal inorganic compounds found in living things are: Water Salts minerals

Enzymes Enzymes are large protein molecules that controls the rate of chemical reactions in living things Another name for enzymes are biological catalyst

Functions of enzymes: Enzymes are needed in biochemical processes{chemical reactions} such as: digestion Synthesis Photosynthesis Cellular respiration

Enzyme facts: A particular enzyme is needed for each type of chemical reaction

An enzyme speeds up the rate of chemical reactions, but the enzyme is not used up in the reaction Only small amounts of enzymes are required for reactions within the cells because enzymes are reused

Each enzyme has a specific shape and specific function The shape of the substrate must fit exactly into the shape of the enzyme

Once the pieces fit, now the enzyme can do its job This “fitting” is called the LOCK AND KEY MODEL

TEST QUESTION Explain why changing the shape of an enzyme could affect the ability of the enzyme to function: — Shape determines the enzyme’s function.

Internal environmental factors that influence the rate of enzyme action: 1. the shape of the enzyme 2.temperature 3. pH

1. Shape of the enzyme The enzyme must have a specific shape The substrate must fit exactly into the enzyme so the enzyme can do its work

2. temperature Enzymes have an optimal temperature[best temperature] at which they can work and produce the highest enzyme activity

Enzymes in the human body work best at the optimal temperature of 37°C If the body temperature is above 37°C, the enzyme activity decreases and then the enzyme changes the shape or breaks apart and won’t work properly; the enzyme denatures

At very cold temperatures, molecules move more slowly, reducing the frequency of enzyme-substrate collisions and therefore decreasing enzyme activity. if temperatures are increased after freezing, enzyme activity will be restored

3. pH{potential hydrogen} pH is a scale that measures whether a substance is acid, base or neutral

Just like enzymes have an optimal temperature, enzymes also have an optimal pH at which they can work best and produce the fastest rate of reactions

More test questions 1. Identify 2 internal environmental factors that directly influence the rate of enzyme action: — temperature — pH — shape of the enzyme — substrate

2. State what would most likely happen to the rate of enzyme action if the temperature were reduced by 10 degrees: 3. State what would most likely happen to the shape of enzyme if the temperature were increased by 10 degrees: