1. Biochemistry Notes
You are what you eat!?

2. Chemistry – study of what substances are made of and how they change and combine.
Each different kind of atom is a
different element.
Examples of elements:
C – Carbon H – Hydrogen
O – Oxygen N – Nitrogen
Two or more elements combine to
make a compound.
Examples of compounds –
H2O, CO2, HCl, NaCl

3. Positive and negative ends like the poles of a magnet.
Compounds are classified into 2 groups:
1. Inorganic Compounds – come from nonliving substances (In = not Organic = living)
Ex: H2O is the universal solvent because of its bent molecular shape and polarity. Water dissolves other polar compounds by pulling them apart like a magnet separates metals.
Positive and negative ends like the poles of a magnet.
*70-80% of your body is water
2. Organic Compounds – come from living substances

4. Biochemistry – study of the chemistry of living organisms
All organic compounds will have the element carbon in them
Exception: CO2 is not organic (CO2 is not
composed of living substances.)
Organic compounds are usually complex compounds with
many atoms in their structure.
Ex: Glucose – C6H12O6
Four kinds of organic compounds:
1. Carbohydrates
2. Proteins
3. Lipids
4. Nucleic acids – DNA and RNA

5. Note:
***Polysaccharides are composed of monosaccharides bonded together. Polysaccharides must be first broken down to monosaccharides for cells to use as energy.

6. Carbohydrates Function Examples Structural Formula of Monosaccharide:
first and preferred energy source of cells
structural support in plants
Examples
monosaccharides – (one sugar) Ex: glucose, fructose
polysaccharides – (many sugars) Ex: starch ***
plant starch Ex: pasta, bread, rice
cellulose – gives plant cells rigidity and gives us fiber in our diet
Composition /
Structure
Ratio – 1C:2H:1O Ex: Glucose – C6H12O6
How are large macromolecules formed? Smaller sugars combine to make larger molecules.
Carbohydrates
Structural Formula of Monosaccharide:

8. Structural Formula of Amino Acid:
Function
control rate of reactions
form bones and muscles
transport substances in and out of cells
fights disease
Examples
(not in the reading)
food examples from animals – eggs, milk, meat
food examples from plants – nuts, beans
enzymes
Structure
elements involved – C, N, H, O
proteins are composed of – amino acids
How many different amino acids are there? 20
Proteins
Structural Formula of Amino Acid:

9. General Structure of Amino Acid
Alanine
Serine

10. Protein
Amino Acids

12. Lipids Function Examples Diet info
store energy – provides more energy per gram than carbs
part of cell membranes and waterproof coverings
INSULATION
Examples
fats
oils
steroids
waxes
Diet info
(to be covered in class)
saturated – contains only single bonds, solid at room temp.
unsaturated – contains double bonds, liquid at room temp. (Better for your diet.)
Lipids
Structural Formula of Lipid:

13. Nucleic Acids DNA RNA Monomer: Nucleotide Structure: C,H,O,N,P
Function
store and transmit genetic information (parent to offspring)
Codes for proteins
Examples
DNA
RNA
Nucleic Acids
Monomer: Nucleotide
Structure: C,H,O,N,P

14. Enzymes Catalyst—substance that accelerates the rate of a
chemical reaction
Ex: hydrogen peroxide being broken down into water and oxygen
H2O H2O O2 add catalase for FASTER REACTION!
Enzyme – a kind of catalyst found only in living things
Enzymes are proteins
Enzymes change only the speed of the reaction
Enzymes are never used up in a reaction, so they can be used
over and over
Enzymes are specific for the reaction they catalyze
Ex: Saltines and amylase
Starch Sugar
Enzymes allow digestion to occur faster; otherwise the
hamburger you ate last week might still be in your stomach!
By using enzymes to break chemical bonds in food molecules,
organisms release energy for life processes