Chemical Compounds in Cells Chapter 3, Section 1

Elements & Compounds Tiny particles make up everything from cells to air The particles can be elements or compounds An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into smaller substances (like oxygen or nitrogen) A compound is a mixture of two or more elements chemically combined ex. Carbon dioxide CO2

Water Compound- made up of 2 Hydrogen atoms and one oxygen Chemical formula H2O Most chemicals necessary for life in a cell dissolve in water Makes up 2/3 of your body Helps cells keep size and shape Helps maintain constant temperature

Inorganic & Organic Compounds All compounds in living things contain CARBON- they are called organic Any compound that does not have carbon is inorganic

Organic compounds found in living things: Carbohydrates Lipids Biomolecules Organic compounds found in living things: Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic acids

Carbohydrates Energy rich Made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen Examples: sugars and starches Sugar produced by photosynthesis (glucose), if plants make extra, they convert the sugar to starch and store it

Lipids Fats, oils & waxes Energy rich, made of carbon, hydrogen & oxygen More energy than carbs Make up cell membranes

Proteins Large molecules made up of C, H, O, nitrogen and sometime sulfur Hair, nails, bird’s feathers, spider webs = protein Proteins are made up of smaller molecules called amino acids There are about 20 different amino acids

Protein Functions Much of the cell structure is protein Cell membranes & organelle membranes Some proteins are specialized and form enzymes

Enzymes Special proteins that lower the amount of energy needed for a chemical reaction to occur We could not live without enzymes

Nucleic Acids Very long organic molecules Made up of C, O, H, N, and Phosphorus Two kinds: DNA- deoxyribonucleic acid RNA- ribonucleic acid