Biochemistry, Chemistry of Life

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Biochemistry, Chemistry of Life
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• Living things are made from chemical compounds,
  so we must have a basic understanding of
  chemistry to study biology.

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Structure of the Atom

• Usually, there is an equal number of protons and
  electrons so an atom is neutral.

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What Is An Element?

• Pure substance consisting of only one type of
  atom.
• These are listed on the periodic table

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What Is a Compound?

• A chemical combination of two or more elements
• For example if two hydrogen molecules are
  combined with one oxygen molecule what is the
  resulting compound?

• .

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• Atoms in compounds are held together by chemical
  bonds.

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Covalent Bonds

• are formed when electrons are shared.

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Ionic Bonds

• are formed when electrons are transferred from
  one atom to another.

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• The transfer of electrons results in an atom
  either having a positive charge or a negative
  charge.
• These atoms with a charge are called ions.

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Review

• 1.What are the three components of an atom?
• Protons, neutrons, and electrons
• 2.Which ones are in the nucleus of the atom?
• Protons and neutrons
• 3.Which ones are in the outer shell, and what
  charge do they have?
• Electrons (-)

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• 4. What is an ionic bond?
• A chemical bond between atoms that is formed when
  one or more electrons are transferred.
• What is a covalent bond?
• A chemical bond formed when electrons are shared
  between atoms.

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What Is an Organic Compound?

• Compounds created within organisms, or living
  things.
• Lets look at the periodic table and do some
  coloring

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Some basic elements make up most organic
compounds

• Carbon.black
• Hydrogenyellow
• Oxygen.red
• Nitrogenblue
• Phosphorouspurple
• Calcium..green
• trace amounts

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What are 4 Groups of Organic Compounds Found in
Living Things?

1. Carbohydrates
2. Lipids
3. Nucleic Acids
4. Proteins

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Carbohydrates main source of energy
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Lipids store energy
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Nucleic Acids - contain genetics (DNA and RNA)
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Proteins

• regulate cell processes, build bone and muscle,
  help fight disease.

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Properties of Water

• Water is the most abundant compound in most
  living things.
• Water is a polar molecule!!!!

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What is Polarity?

• A molecule in which the charges are unequally
  distributed.
• For example, in the water molecule, the electrons
  are more attracted to the nucleus of the oxygen
  atom with 8 protons, than to the nucleus of the
  hydrogen atom with only 1 proton.
• This gives water some very unique properties.

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Water has a bent shape due to Polarity
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Acids and Bases

• Scientists devised a measurement system called
  the pH scale to indicate the concentration of H
  (hydrogen) ions in a solution.
• Pure water has a pH of 7, which is neutral.
• Acids, have higher concentrations of H ions, and
  a pH value below 7, while bases have lower
  concentrations, and a value above 7.

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• The pH of fluids in most cells in the human body
  is between 6.5 and 7.5
• Controlling proper pH levels is important to
  homeostasis.
• Buffers are weak acids or bases that act to
  regulate pH levels.

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Chemical Reactions

• A process that changes one set of chemicals into
  another .
• The elements or compounds that enter into a
  reaction are called the reactants.
• The element or compound produced by the reaction
  is called the product.
• Reactions always require the breaking and forming
  of bonds.

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Energy

• Humans need to use energy to grow, think,
  breathe, and even dream.
• This release of energy we need, comes from the
  chemical reactions that occur when we metabolize,
  or break down food that we eat.

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What Are Enzymes?

• Sometimes chemical reactions occur very slowly,
  and need a catalyst to speed up the process.
• Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical
  reactions that occur in cells.