The Chemistry of Living Things

Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. Matter is composed of very small particles called atoms. In nature, there are 92 different forms of matter that we call elements. Atoms by Brainpop

The most abundant element in the human body is oxygen. There are 11 elements of which most living things are composed. The most abundant element in the human body is oxygen. The second most abundant element in the human body is carbon, and in third place is hydrogen. Together, these three elements make up 92% of a human being.

You are expected to memorize the symbols for the 11 elements that make up most living things: Oxygen O Carbon C Hydrogen H

You are expected to memorize the symbols for the 11 elements that make up most living things: Nitrogen N Calcium Ca Phosphorus P

You are expected to memorize the symbols for the 11 elements that make up most living things: Potassium K Sulfur S Sodium Na

You are expected to memorize the symbols for the 11 elements that make up most living things: Chlorine Cl Magnesium Mg Intro to Elements Clip

Atoms combine together to form most of the substances we observe in the world around us. Compounds are formed when the atoms of two or more elements chemically joined together to form a new substance with very different properties than the elements of which it is formed.

Compounds, continued… The smallest piece of a compound is called a molecule Salt is an example of a compound. It is composed of an atom of sodium chemically “glued” to an atom of chlorine. Each of these NaCl units is called a molecule.

There are many compounds that are important to living things.

Compounds & Mixtures Clip Mixtures are formed when two or more substances are mixed together but not chemically combined. Each substance retains its own characteristics, and can be separated from each other by simple physical means. The air in this room is a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen and small amounts of other gases. Compounds & Mixtures Clip

How many molecules of water are there here? Reading Chemical Formulas: H2O The letters tell you what elements make up the molecule…what are the elements in this molecule? The little numbers to the right of the letters tell you HOW MANY ATOMS of each element. If there isn’t one, it just means that there is one atom of that element. If there was a number in front of the formula, it would tell you how many MOLECULES of that substance there was: 4H2O How many molecules of water are there here?

Organic and inorganic compounds There are two types of compounds that are important to living things: Organic and inorganic compounds Organic compounds contain the element carbon. There are 4 types of organic compounds that are important to living things:

Releases energy for cells Organic Compound Composed of: Examples Function Carbohydrate C, H, O Sugar Starch cellulose Releases energy for cells

Stores and releases MORE energy for cells Organic Compound Composed of: Examples Function Lipid C, H, O Fats Oils Waxes Stores and releases MORE energy for cells Cell membranes are made of lipids

Used to build cell parts; Organic Compound Composed of: Examples Function Protein C, H, O, N enzymes Used to build cell parts; Made of smaller parts called amino acids Where are proteins made in the cell…?

Stores hereditary information Organic Compound Composed of: Examples Function Nucleic Acid C, H, O, N, P DNA RNA Stores hereditary information

Some examples include: water (formula: H2O) salt (formula: NaCl) Inorganic compounds are also important to living things. They DO NOT contain carbon. Some examples include: water (formula: H2O) salt (formula: NaCl) Simple Chemistry Clip

Let’s Talk about one organic compound that is very important to living things… Glucose Glucose is one of the most important molecules in biology. Here are some things you need to know about it: The chemical formula for glucose is: C6H12O6 Glucose is manufactured in PLANTS in the process of PHOTOSYNTHESIS All cells (plants and animals) use glucose for the purpose of GETTING ENERGY

Glucose All energy in a glucose molecule is located in THE BONDS. Let’s Talk about one organic compound that is very important to living things… Glucose All energy in a glucose molecule is located in THE BONDS. When the bonds of this molecule are broken, energy is released. This happens in the MITOCHONDRIA of the cell (the powerhouse organelle).