Biomolecules Chemicals of life

Matter and Energy  Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass. It can typically be measured in some way and is found in one of four states (solid, liquid, gas and plasma)  Energy has no mass and does not occupy space. It is the ability to do work. It comes in four forms (Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical and Radiant)

Composition of matter.  All matter is made up of smaller units known as atoms, molecules and compounds. The 112 known elements are shown on the periodic table.  96% of the elements of life come from only four basic atoms. (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen)  If molecules contain Carbon, they are considered “Organic”. All Biomolecules are Organic compounds

Water  The most important Inorganic substance of Life.  70% of all living things is made up of water.  Water is slow to heat and slow to cool  Water is “polar” and will not mix with Non-Polar liquids like oil, wax and grease  Water dissolves many substances

Water  Will disassociate when combined with other chemicals to form acids and bases.  Acids produce a high content of H+ ions  Bases have a high content of OH- ions  The pH scale is a measure of acidity of fluids.  0 is an extreme acid and 14 is an extreme base. Both are hazardous to life!

pH scale

Carbohydrates  A key source of energy in Life  Most are products of Photosynthesis  Simple sugars include Glucose, Sucrose, Fructose and Lactose.  Complex sugars include Starch, Cellulose, Glycogen, and Chitin.

Carbohydrates  Have a typical Carbon-Hydrogen- Oxygen ratio of

Carbohydrates  Keys sources of food containing carbohydrates include:  Bread, pasta, rice, beans, fruit, vegetables, fruit juice and cereals

Proteins  Long chains of macromolecules that contain Nitrogen that make up much of the structure of the body.  Muscle, skin, hair, blood, tendons and ligaments are made of it.  Enzymes are key proteins  Proteins are made up of smaller sub- units called Amino Acids.

Basic Shape of Proteins  Primary- a single line of amino acids  Secondary- Alpha helix and Beta Pleated Sheets  Tertiary- Bending of Secondary proteins by Chaperone Proteins  Quaternary-occurs when many tertiary proteins are linked together

Lipids  Includes the following non-polar substances: Fats, Oils, Waxes, Steroids and Hormones.  It stores energy for long periods of time  Has more energy per gram than carbohydrates.  Is insoluble in water.  Found in cell membranes, fat cells and protective coverings.

Nucleic Acids  Chains of hereditary information that are found in DNA and RNA.  Smaller units of Nucleic Acids are called Nucleotides  Nucleic Acids are made up of carbohydrates, nitrogen and phosphates  Most Nucleic Acids are codes for how to make Protein.

Both DNA and RNA are made up of Nucleic Acids and nucleotides

Adenosine Tri-Phosphate (ATP)  Single nucleotides that is the energy currency of cellular respiration.  All cells use ATP to provide energy for cellular processes  A single glucose molecule can provide 36 ATP units in aerobic conditions

ATP stores and releases Energy for the cell

Enzymes  A special type of Protein  Acts as a biological catalyst to speed up chemical reactions.  Enzymes help maintain Homeostasis  Enzymes are very specific and react only with a particular substrate… sort of like a key in a lock.  Enzymes tend to either break down molecules or build them up.

An Enzyme binds to a Substrate at the Active site. The resulting reaction either breaks down or builds up a molecule.