What things do organisms need to stay living?

All organisms need… Water – Most organisms are 70% water. Gain water from fluid and food intake Air – Most organisms use CO2 or O2, but they do not need oxygen. Food – provides energy and materials needed to carry out life functions. Producer – makes food, Consumer – takes food in, Decomposer - breaks down dead organisms. A place to live – location that provides everything an organism needs.

A closer look at food All organisms need nutrients and energy to sustain their life processes. All of the molecules that make up an organism are composed of a majority of a few main elements. Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, phosphorus and Sulfur. SCHNOP These elements combine to create four types of molecules.

Proteins Proteins make up most of the cell’s structures. Made from small molecules called amino acids. Enzymes are proteins that control the way reactions happen in the cell. Amino acids are bonded together to form long chains which fold up to make proteins. Different combinations make different proteins.

Carbohydrates Provides the cells with energy Used for storage in plants All carbohydrates start out as glucose molecules. Simple carbs – one or more glucose molecules linked together. Table sugars Complex carbs – hundreds of glucose molecules bonded together. starches

Lipids Fats and oils Phospholipids Used to store energy and form protective barriers. Phospholipids

Phospholipids Phospholipids – molecule that forms the cell membrane. Heads are the phosphate molecule – they are hydrophilic-(they like water) Tails are the lipid part – they are hydrophobic (do not like water) When submerged in water, the tails join together to make a membrane This is what makes the cell membrane

Nucleic Acids Large molecules made up of smaller molecules called nucleotides. Nucleotides hold the “recipe” for cell functions. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)is a nucleotide,

ATP Adenosine triphosphate This is the major energy carrying molecule of the cell.