chemistry

• Most common elements in all forms of life

  • Carbon (C)
  • Hydrogen (H)
  • Oxygen (O)
  • Nitrogen (N)
• Chemistry is the science that deals with the basic properties of matter
• Acids release H+ ions
• Complex Organic Molecules

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Carbohydrates
  • Lipids
  • Proteins
  • Nucleic Acids
• Molecule


  Consists of two or more atoms that are chemically combined
• Most abundant lipids in the body

  • Triglycerides
  • Phospholipids
  • Steroids
• Octet Rule


  The tendency of atoms to combine with other atoms until each has 8 electrons in its valence shell
• Anabolism


  Synthesis of larger molecules
• Steroids

  • Cholesterol
  • Bile salts
  • Vitamin D
  • Sex hormones
• Enzymes have an active site, which is the site at which they combine with their substrate, the substance on which an enzyme acts
• Disaccharides

  • Sucrose (glucose-fructose)
  • Lactose (glucose-galactose)
  • Maltose (glucose-glucose)
• The role of nucleic acids is fundamental: they make up your genes, which provide the basic blueprint of life
• Chemical Reaction


  Formation or breaking of chemical bonds between atoms, ions, molecules, or compounds
• Bases accept H+ ions (or release OH- ions)
• Polysaccharides

  • Starch
  • Glycogen
• A knowledge of basic chemistry is needed to understand how microorganisms function and how they affect humans and our environment
• Atom


  Smallest chemical unit of matter
• Water is a polar compound, acts as a solvent, and forms thin layers because it has high surface tension
• Carbohydrates include sugars and starches, contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and serve as an immediate source of chemical energy (glucose) in living systems
• Compound

  Formed by two or more elements that are chemically combined
• Triglycerides


  • Most common type of fat molecules found in fat deposits, protect and insulate body organs, major source of stored energy in the body
• Two major kinds of nucleic acids

  • Deoxyribonucleic acid
  • Ribonucleic acid
• Proteins account for over 50 percent of the organic matter in the body and have the most varied functions of all organic molecules
• Chemical Building Blocks

  • Atom
  • Element
  • Molecule
  • Compound
• Catabolism


  Breaking down of molecules
• Element

  Fundamental kind of matter
• The pH of a solution is a measure of its acidity and alkalinity. A pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is basic, or alkaline
• Water has high specific heat and serves as a medium for, and participates in, many chemical reactions
• Monosaccharides

  • Glucose
  • Fructose
  • Galactose
  • Ribose
  • Deoxyribose
• Phospholipids


  • Found in cell membranes, important structural components of cell membranes
• Biological Functions of Proteins

  • Catalytic function
  • Coordinated motion
  • Transport and Storage
  • Structural and Mechanical support
  • Defense function
  • Generation and transmission of nerve impulses
  • Control of growth and differentiation
• Lipids are substances that dissolve in nonpolar solvents, such as alcohol or acetone, but not in polar solvents, such as water
• Enzymes are protein catalysts - substances that control the rate of chemical reactions in cells
• Valence Electrons

  Electrons in the outermost shell
• Synthesis is when a new compound is formed by the combination of simpler reactants (A+B = AB)
• Decomposition is when a reactant breaks down into simpler products (AB = A+B)
• Exchange reaction is a combination of a decomposition reaction and a synthesis reaction (AB+CD = AD+CB)
• Exergonic means to release energy
• Endergonic means to require energy
• Ionic Bond form when electrons are completely transferred from one atom to another