Biochemistry The basic building blocks of life

Basic Chemistry 1. Atoms: the most basic unit of matter (that still has the characteristics of that element) {12} 2. Subatomic Particles (make up atoms) {7} a. protons (+) b. electrons (-) c. neutrons (none)

Basic Chemistry Continued 3. Elements: A group of all one kind of atom (like a sheet of Aluminum foil). Elements cannot be broken down any further. 4. Compound: a molecule made with 2 or more elements joined chemically (more later). {13} 5. Molecule: the smallest unit of a compound that maintains its characteristics (must be neutral - no charge).

Atom Structure Protons and neutrons compose the nucleus of an atom (located in the center). Protons and neutrons compose the nucleus of an atom (located in the center). The positive charge of the nucleus is balanced by a cloud of negative electrons that orbit the nucleus. The positive charge of the nucleus is balanced by a cloud of negative electrons that orbit the nucleus. Electrons orbit in specific “energy levels” -1 st energy level holds 2 electrons -2 nd – holds 8 -3 rd – 18 … (and so on for bigger and bigger atoms)

The Periodic Table {1 - 6} Atomic # Atomic Mass

ATOMIC # = the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. ATOMIC # = the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom. ATOMIC MASS = the mass of the atom which is just protons + neutrons (electrons have very very little mass). ATOMIC MASS = the mass of the atom which is just protons + neutrons (electrons have very very little mass). *Measured in AMUs = atomic mass units which is equal to the weight of 1 proton or one neutron (p & n weigh the same). {8, 9}

How many of each are there in the following compounds? {15, 16, 20} a. Elements b. Atoms So where are we now? H20H20 CO 2 C 6 H 12 O 6 2NaOH 3Al 2 (SO 3 ) 4 3 atoms, 2 elements 6 atoms, 3 elements # of molecules 24 atoms, 3 elements54 atoms, 3 elements 3 atoms, 2 elements

So how do all of those elements come together to form molecules/compounds? Answer? BONDING! Covalent Bonding – Atoms share electrons in their outer shells to become stable. {17} Ex: Water (H 2 0), Glucose (C 6 H ), Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 )… Ionic Bonding – Sometimes atoms lose or gain electrons giving them + or – charges or IONS {11}. Charged particles are “unhappy” and want to combine to make a neutral compound. When this occurs an IONIC BOND forms! {18} Ex : Salt (NaCl) Na = (+) and Cl = (-)

When reactions take place to form compounds they are represented by chemical equations. Equations must be balanced on both sides (same number of each atom on opposite sides of the equation ) Examples? Na + ClNaCl 2H + OH 2 0 6H 2 O + 6CO 2 C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2 Can you balance this one? __Fe + __O 2 __Fe 2 O Look Familiar? What’s missing?

What are some special compounds that exist in nature? Acids Acids Bases Bases Carbohydrates Carbohydrates Proteins (Enzymes) Proteins (Enzymes) Fats/Lipids Fats/Lipids Nucleic acids Nucleic acids{19} All of these are organic (Carbon) compounds that are vital in ALL living things!

Acids/Bases Water molecules tend to break apart occasionally (H 2 0  H + and OH - ) *But these # H + /OH - in the H 2 O solution are balanced* Water molecules tend to break apart occasionally (H 2 0  H + and OH - ) *But these # H + /OH - in the H 2 O solution are balanced* When other substances containing H + or OH - are dissolved in water the concentration of either H + or OH - changes (like adding HCL gas to water) When other substances containing H + or OH - are dissolved in water the concentration of either H + or OH - changes (like adding HCL gas to water) If the concentration of H + ions in the solution are greater than the concentration of OH - ions then the solution is an acid If the concentration of H + ions in the solution are greater than the concentration of OH - ions then the solution is an acid If the concentration of OH - ions in the solutions are greater than the concentration of H + ions then the solution is a base If the concentration of OH - ions in the solutions are greater than the concentration of H + ions then the solution is a base

Organic Compounds: 1)Carbohydrates {21} Composed of C,H, & O Composed of C,H, & O Ratio of 2 H atoms to each O atom Ratio of 2 H atoms to each O atom Sugars and Starches – energy sources for life processes Sugars and Starches – energy sources for life processes Monosaccharides (simple sugars) Monosaccharides (simple sugars) -Ex :C 6 H 12 O 6 (glucose) -Ex :C 6 H 12 O 6 (glucose) Disaccharides = 2 monosaccharides Disaccharides = 2 monosaccharides -Ex : sucrose (table sugar) and lactose -Ex : sucrose (table sugar) and lactose Polysaccharides = starches Polysaccharides = starches Cellulose

2) Lipids/Fats {22} Also contain C, H, & O Also contain C, H, & O # of H atoms per molecule MUCH greater than # O atoms (Ex: C 57 H ) # of H atoms per molecule MUCH greater than # O atoms (Ex: C 57 H ) Stored energy (food scarcity) and also used in cell membranes Stored energy (food scarcity) and also used in cell membranes Made of Glycerols and Fatty Acids Made of Glycerols and Fatty Acids

3) Proteins {23} Composed of C, H, & O, but also N Composed of C, H, & O, but also N Many different kinds of proteins with many different jobs (Ex: building living material, carrying out reactions, fighting disease…) Many different kinds of proteins with many different jobs (Ex: building living material, carrying out reactions, fighting disease…) Made of chains of simple compounds called AMINO ACIDS (20 kinds) Made of chains of simple compounds called AMINO ACIDS (20 kinds) AA bonded = peptide, multiple AA’s bonded = polypeptide (change order – different proteins) AA bonded = peptide, multiple AA’s bonded = polypeptide (change order – different proteins) Special proteins – ENZYMES speed up biological reactions Special proteins – ENZYMES speed up biological reactions An antibodyHemoglobinEnzymesInsulin Molecular Surface pictures of different proteins

Enzymes {25} Organic (means they can denature) Organic (means they can denature) Specific to a substrate (only work on one thing – thus there are lots and lots of enzymes) Specific to a substrate (only work on one thing – thus there are lots and lots of enzymes) They work to speed up chemical reactions They work to speed up chemical reactions They are recyclable (not used in the reaction) They are recyclable (not used in the reaction)

Enzyme vs Catalyst {24} A catalyst is anything that speeds up a chemical reaction A catalyst is anything that speeds up a chemical reaction An enzyme is an organic catalyst An enzyme is an organic catalyst So…an enzyme is always a catalyst, but a catalyst is not always an enzyme! So…an enzyme is always a catalyst, but a catalyst is not always an enzyme!

4) Nucleic Acids {29!} The organic molecules that form a CODE that control an organisms’ appearance and behavior The organic molecules that form a CODE that control an organisms’ appearance and behavior DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid = genetic info DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid = genetic info RNA – ribonucleic acid = messenger that carries info for DNA RNA – ribonucleic acid = messenger that carries info for DNA ATP – Energy molecule ATP – Energy molecule

PS - C,H,O,N Remember! All four of these organic compounds are made out of the CHON… Remember! All four of these organic compounds are made out of the CHON… Carbon Carbon Hydrogen Hydrogen Oxygen Oxygen Nitrogen Nitrogen Phosphorus and Sulfur are common too. Phosphorus and Sulfur are common too. All living things are made from the CHON!!!!!!! All living things are made from the CHON!!!!!!!