Chemical Compounds in Cells Chapter 1, Lesson 3
Uses of Organic Molecules Americans consume an average of 140 pounds of sugar per person per year Cellulose, found in plant cell walls, is the most abundant organic compound on Earth Copyright Cmassengale
Copyright Cmassengale Chemistry of Life…… Atoms - Smallest unit of matter A molecule contains two or more of the same atom Ex. O2 Compounds - Combination of two or more different atoms Ex. H2O Copyright Cmassengale
Uses of Organic Molecules A typical cell in your body has about 2 meters of DNA A typical cow produces over 200 pounds of methane gas each year Copyright Cmassengale
Carbon-based Molecules Although a cell is mostly water, the rest of the cell consists mostly of carbon-based molecules Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds Copyright Cmassengale
Macromolecules in Organisms There are four types of large molecules in cells: Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids Copyright Cmassengale
Carbohydrates Carbohydrates include: 1. Small sugar molecules in soft drinks 2. Long starch molecules in pasta and potatoes Copyright Cmassengale
Copyright Cmassengale Cellulose Cellulose is the most abundant organic compound on Earth It forms cable-like fibers in the walls of plants cells It is a major component of wood Copyright Cmassengale
Copyright Cmassengale Sugars in Water Simple sugars and double sugars dissolve readily in water WATER MOLECULE They are hydrophilic, or “water-loving” -OH groups make them water soluble SUGAR MOLECULE Copyright Cmassengale
Copyright Cmassengale Lipids Lipids are hydrophobic –”water fearing” Do NOT mix with water Includes fats, waxes, steroids, & oils FAT MOLECULE Copyright Cmassengale
Copyright Cmassengale Function of Lipids Fats store energy, help to insulate the body, and cushion and protect organs Copyright Cmassengale
Copyright Cmassengale Fats in Organisms Most animal fats exist as solids at room temperature (butter, margarine, shortening) Copyright Cmassengale
Copyright Cmassengale Fats in Organisms Most plant oils tend to be liquids at room temperature (oils) Copyright Cmassengale
Lipids & Cell Membranes Cell membranes are made of lipids called phospholipids Phospholipids have a head that is polar & attract water (hydrophilic) Phospholipids also have 2 tails that are nonpolar and do not attract water (hydrophobic) Copyright Cmassengale
Proteins Proteins are made of amino acids All proteins are made of 20 different amino acids linked in different orders Proteins are used to build cells & enzymes, and do much of the work in a cell
Copyright Cmassengale Four Types of Proteins Storage Structural Contractile Transport Copyright Cmassengale
Copyright Cmassengale Proteins as Enzymes Many proteins act as enzymes or biological catalysts Thousands of different enzymes exist in the body Enzymes control the rate of chemical reactions by lowering the amount of energy needed Copyright Cmassengale
Nucleic Acids Store genetic information Contain information for making all the body’s proteins Two types --- DNA & RNA
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Copyright Cmassengale DNA Two strands of DNA join together to form a double helix Base pair Double helix Copyright Cmassengale
Copyright Cmassengale Water About 60-90 percent of an organism is water Water is used in most reactions in the body Copyright Cmassengale
Copyright Cmassengale Water Properties Helps cells keep their shape Changes temperature slowly Carries substances into and out of the cell. Copyright Cmassengale
Macromolecule Webquest