Chapter 2 Chemistry of Life
Outline Basic Chemistry Atoms Molecules and Compounds Chemical Reactions Properties of Water Acids and Bases Macromolecules ATP
Basic Chemistry There are 92 naturally-occurring elements. Over 90% of human body is composed of four elements. (CHON) Carbon. Hydrogen. Oxygen. Nitrogen.
Atoms An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains an element’s physical and chemical properties. Positively-charged protons and neutral neutrons are located in the nucleus. Negatively-charged electrons orbit the nucleus in shells.
Atoms An element’s atomic number is designated by its number of protons. An element’s atomic weight is designated by its protons and neutrons.
Elements and Atoms
Molecules and Compounds A molecule and compound is a group of atoms bonded together.
Ionic Reactions During an ionic reaction, atoms give up or take on an electron to stabilize their outer shells of the atom. Ions are particles that carry a positive (+) or negative (-) charge. The attraction between oppositely charged sodium ions and chloride ions forms an ionic bond.
Ionic “electron stripping” Reaction
Covalent “electron sharing” Reactions In covalent reactions, atoms share electrons in covalent bonds instead of losing or gaining them. A single bond is formed when atoms share a single pair of electrons. A double bond is formed when atoms share two pairs of electrons. A triple bond is formed when atoms share three pairs of electrons.
Covalent Reactions
Water and Living Things and a Third type of bond- Hydrogen bond The electrons in water spend more time circling the larger oxygen atom than the smaller hydrogen atom. Water is a polar molecule with the oxygen end being slightly negative and the hydrogen end being slightly positive. A hydrogen bond occurs when a covalently bonded hydrogen is positive and is attracted to a negatively charged atom.
Hydrogen Bonding between Water Molecules
Some Properties of Water liquid at room temperature. solvent for polar molecules. cohesive. temperature rises and falls slowly.
Acids and Bases Acids break down in water and release hydrogen ions (H+). Bases/alkaline take up hydrogen ions (H+) or release hydroxide ions (OH-). Buffers help keep the pH within normal limits by taking up excess hydrogen ions or hydroxide ions.
Water can break down to form Ions (atoms with a + or – charge) Fig. 2.p022a
pH Scale The pH scale measures acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Neutral = 7. Acidic < 7. Basic > 7. Logarithmic Scale.
Log scale Fig. 2.p022b
The pH Scale
Molecules of Life Four categories of molecules are unique to cells. Carbohydrates. Lipids. Proteins. Nucleic Acids. Macromolecules are synthesized by a dehydration reaction, and degraded by a hydrolysis reaction.
pg.24a Fig. 2.p024a
Fig. 2.9
Synthesis of larger product (macromolecule) Fig. 2.9a
Breakdown of Molecule to simpler subunits Fig. 2.9b
Carbohydrates Carbohydrates function for quick and short-term energy storage. Monosaccharide (simple sugar). Glucose. Disaccharide. Fructose.
Complex Carbohydrates Polysaccharides. Starch (plants). Glycogen (animals). Cellulose (plant cell walls).
Glucose molecule in various forms Fig. 2.p024b
A Disacharride Fig. 2.p025
Plant Polysaccharide Fig. 2.11
Animal polysaccharide Fig. 2.12
Lipids Lipids contain more energy per gram than any other biological molecule. Do not dissolve in water. Absence of polar groups. Fats. Animal origin, solid at room temperature. Oils. Plant origin, liquid at room temperature.
Synthesis and breakdown of Fat Fig. 2.13
Phospholipids and Steroids Phospholipids contain a phosphate head and fatty acid tails. Polar head and non-polar tails. Soluble in water. Steroids are lipids with a backbone of four fused carbon rings. Estrogen and testosterone.
Another Example of a lipid Fig. 2.14
Cell membrane Fig. 2.14c
Other lipid examples Fig. 2.15ab
Fig. 2.15bb Fig. 2.15bb
Emulsyfier Bile salts Tween
Emulsyfication Fig. 2.p026
Proteins Proteins are macromolecules with amino acid subunits. An amino acid has a central carbon atom bonded to a hydrogen and three groups. Peptide bond - Any bond joining two amino acids. Polypeptide - Single amino acid chain.
Building block of proteins Fig. 2.p028a
Fig. 2.16a Fig. 2.16a
Peptide bond- bond between two amino acids Fig. 2.p028b
Levels of Protein Organization Primary Structure. Linear sequence of amino acids. Secondary Structure. Polypeptide takes on orientation in space. Tertiary Structure. Final three-dimensional shape. Quaternary Structure. Proteins with more than one polypeptide.
Fig. 2.16b
Nucleic Acids Nucleic acids are huge macromolecules composed of nucleotides. A nucleotide is constructed of a phosphate, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Double-stranded helix. Ribonucleic acid (RNA). Single stranded.
Building block of an Nucleic Acid- A Nucleotide Fig. 2.p031
DNA Structure
(ATP) Adenosine Triphosphate ATP is the primary cellular energy carrier. Energy currency of cells. Breaks down to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and a molecule of inorganic phosphate, releasing energy to drive cellular metabolism.
Another nucleic acid example- ATP and ADP (cell energy) Fig. 2.18
Lecture Review Give an example of ionic bonding and explain it. Give an example of covalent bonding and explain it. Relate the characteristics of water to its polarity and hydrogen bonding. List the four molecules of life and examples of each. Fat /triglyceride is composed of______ and ______. The subunits of Proteins are _______ _______. List some functions of proteins. What is a polypeptide? The subunits of Nucleic acids are ____________.