Biomolecules and Cells

Elements of Life A few major elements make up virtually all living things Roughly 96% of an organism’s mass (including humans) is composed of just 4 elements Oxygen Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen

Elements of Life Together, these 4 elements combine to make up almost all of the major organic and inorganic compounds in our bodies. The need for more of these elements to grow, reproduce, and make and use energy underlies almost all of the competition and struggles of life

Elements of Life Organic compounds always contain 1 key element ?

Elements of Life Organic compounds always contain 1 key element ? Carbon Though not all carbon containing compounds are organic

Elements of Life Important Inorganic Compounds in the body?

Elements of Life Important Inorganic Compounds in the body? H2O (typically 60-80% of living things) CO2 Fe Minerals (Bones, teeth) Salts and Ion Electrolytes

Elements of Life Important Organic Compounds in the body?

Elements of Life Important Organic Compounds in the body? Key Organic compounds typically fall under classes of Macromolecules: Proteins Nucleic Acids Carbohydrates Lipids

Elements of Life- Proteins Proteins are long, heavy organic compounds that have a function and whose function depends on the 3-D structure of the molecule(s) Proteins are polymers (polypeptides) made up of amino acid monomers bonded together to form a chain

Elements of Life- Proteins Proteins consist primarily of C,H, O, & N Also contain S (only macromolecule group that does…) The protein structure is determined by the sequence of amino acids, which is determined by the genetic sequence of DNA. This causes the protein to fold in certain ways to give the protein its 3-D conformation Proteins are made using RNA in a process called Translation

Elements of Life- Proteins Protein functions include: Structural support for cells and tissues Energy production, storage, and consumption (Metabolism) Signaling Hormones, signal peptides, immune system Enzymes Chemical catalysts that increase reaction speed, or help the reaction to occur in the first place

Elements of Life- Nucleic Acids Nucleic Acids chains consist of nucleotides which consist of: Nitrogenous Base (A,C,G,T) Sugar molecule (deoxyribose or ribose- hence the name) Phosphate backbone (negatively charged) Genetic information encoded in DNA Expressed from DNA to RNA in Transcription

Elements of Life- Nucleic Acids Nucleic Acids consist mainly of C,H,O,N and P due to the phosphate backbone In humans and other Eukaryotes, the DNA is stored in the cell inside a membrane bound organelle called the Nucleus

Elements of Life- Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are hydrates of Carbon. This means they have the general formula (CH2O)n Consist only of C,H, and O. Lack the other elements except in rare cases Exist as monomers (single sugars) or polymers of sugars (disaccharides and polysaccharides) Disaccharides have two monomers (Sucrose) Polysaccharides have many monomers (Starch)

Elements of Life- Carbohydrates Cellulose is the most abundant organic compound on Earth. Consists of glucose molecules bound together to form a polymer Forms wood, bark, leaves, and other fibrous structures in plants Why isn’t it easily digested like glucose or other starches?

Elements of Life- Carbohydrates Image from FAMU

Elements of Life- Lipids Diverse group of compounds that share the main characteristic of being non-polar, hydrophobic Main functions are in cell membranes, energy storage, and steroid hormones Consist primarily of C and H, with some O and P

Elements of Life- Lipids Cell membranes consist mainly of phospholipids These compounds contain a non-polar lipid “tail” end, and a polar “head” end consisting of a phosphate ion In water, phospholipids align to create a bilayer that is polar on the surfaces and non-polar in the interior

Cells and Levels of Organization Cells are the smallest unit of life that can act independently and have all of the characteristics of living things Eukaryotes: Membrane bound Nucleus and organelles- Plants, Animals, Fungi, protists Prokaryotes: No membrane bound organelles or nucleus. Typically single celled- Bacteria and Archaea

Cells and Levels of Organization In Eurkaryotes, matter is organized into increasingly complex levels that allow for more complex roles and functions. Atoms-> Molecules -> Macromolecules-> Organelles -> Cells -> Tissues -> Organs -> Organ Systems -> Organism

Questions ?