WHAT COMPOUNDS DO CELLS NEED?

Review of basic chemistry Element – any substance that cannot be broken down into a simpler substance Ex – carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen Atom – smallest unit of an element Compound – two or more elements chemically combined Ex – water, sugar, starch Molecule – smallest unit of most compounds Ex – H2O, C6H12O6, O2, CO2

Organic Compounds (Biomolecules) Organic compounds must contain: Carbon

Organic & Inorganic Compounds Many of the compounds in living organisms contain the element carbon. Compounds not containing carbon are called inorganic compounds. Some important groups of organic compounds that living things need are: Carbohydrates Proteins Lipids Nucleic Acids Water is a necessary inorganic compound.

Carbohydrates C, H, and O Energy-rich organic compound Carbohydrates include sugars, starches, and fiber. When you eat these foods, your body breaks them down into glucose—a sugar the cells use to get immediate energy. Carbohydrates are important to Cellulose—found in cell walls in plants Cell membranes

Complex Carbohydrates Simple Carbohydrates Complex Carbohydrates Sugars Ex) Glucose = Blood Sugar Starches Fiber Long chains of sugars. Ex) Breads Not digested. Ex) Fruits/Veg.

Lipids Made of mostly C, H, and some O Fats, oils, waxes They contain more energy than carbohydrates Cells store energy from fats for later use. Cell membranes consist mostly of lipids.

PROTEINS Contain C, H, O, N Found in many animal-based foods. Most of the cell’s structure and function depends on protein. A group of protein, called enzymes, speed up chemical reactions in all living things. Without enzymes, many reactions necessary for life would take too long.

enzymes Special kinds of proteins. Chemicals that speed up chemical reactions in the body without being used up themselves. Here the enzyme helps break a large molecule into two smaller ones. Some enzymes join two small molecules to make one larger one.

Nucleic acids Very long organic molecules made of C, H, O, N, and Phosphorus Contain instructions for cells to carry out all the functions of life. Two types of nucleic acid are: DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid is the genetic material that carries information about an organism and is passed from parent to offspring. RNA – ribonucleic acid

Nucleus: holds Genetic Material (DNA) Double Helix

water Makes up about two thirds of your body. Most chemical reactions in cells depend on substances that must be dissolved in water to react. Helps cells maintain their shape. Helps keep cell temperature from quickly changing. Essential for all life.