Chemistry

• All matter consists of atoms
• Atom


  Smallest particle into which elements can be broken up and still possess the properties of the element

  
• Element


  Substance (made up of atoms) which cannot be divided into a simpler substance
• 92 natural elements, 16 essential to plants

  • Carbon C
  • Oxygen O
  • Hydrogen H
  • Nitrogen N
  • Phosphorus P
  • Potassium K
  • Sulphur S
  • Calcium Ca
  • Magnesium Mg
  • Boron B
  • Chlorine Cl
  • Copper Cu
  • Cobalt Co
  • Iron Fe
  • Manganese Mn
  • Molybdenum Mo
  • Nickel Ni
  • Zinc Zn
• Molecule


  A group of atoms bound together by chemical bonds
• Compound


  A substance made up of two or more different chemical elements combined
• Ion


  Atoms or molecules with an electric charge (+/-)
• Atoms are constantly moving and bumping into each other
• At higher temperatures atoms move faster
• Gas state


  Molecules have less bonds between each other and move more freely
• Solid state


  There are more bonds between molecules and much less movement
• Organism construction


  Atoms -> molecules ->cellular structures (cell membranes, mitochondria) ->cells containing organelles -> tissue/organs -> organism
• Inorganic compound


  Not formed by an organism
• Organic compound


  Formed by an organism, always contain Carbon
• Monomer


  A small, single-unit molecule; monomers together form polymers
• Polymer


  A large molecule (macromolecule) made up of monomers bound together
• Carbohydrate


  Carbon, Hydrogen & Oxygen in ratio C1H2O1, produced during photosynthesis
• Carbohydrates


  • Glucose (C6H12O6)

  
• Types of carbohydrates


  • Monosaccharide
  • Disaccharide
  • Polysaccharide
• Monosaccharide


  Simple sugars with small, single molecules
• Monosaccharides


  • Glyceraldehyde
  • Ribose
  • Glucose
  • Fructose

  
• Isomers


  Same elements (in same quantity), but different arrangement of elements
• Disaccharide


  Molecules with two simple sugars (monosaccharides) combined
• Disaccharides


  • Sucrose (1 glucose + 1 fructose)
• Polysaccharide


  Three or more monosaccharides bound together, not water-soluble, and not sweet

  
• Polysaccharides


  • Starch
  • Cellulose
  • Inulin
• Cellulose


  Structural material made from glucose, 40-60% of plant cell walls

  
• Starch


  A compound that stores energy, thus a way to store food but still easily accessible
• Inulin


  Fructose polysaccharide, dietary fibre that stores energy
• Lignin


  Polymer associated with cellulose, makes up 25% of wood, indigestible, helps defend against pathogens and pests
• Lipid


  All plants contain oils and fats; some contain waxes, stored in the form of triglycerides
• Triglyceride


  An ester consisting of three fatty acids & glycerol

  
• Fats


  Simplest and most common plant lipids, 3 fatty acid + glycerol = 1 fat + water, fatty acids are hydro-carbon chains, non-polar & hydrophobic

  
• Saturated fatty acids


  Fatty acids without C=C
• Phospholipids


  Lipids where one of the fatty acids is substituted for a phosphate group (PO4

  1. ), polar region is charged & hydrophilic, form cell membranes

  
• Oils


  Fats that are liquid at room temperature, contain many unsaturated fatty acids (many C=C), most abundant in seeds or fruits
• Oils


  • Sunflower seeds
  • Peanuts
  • Olives
• Palm oil


  Contains palmitic acid (saturated)
• Waxes


  Lipids with large molecules, e.g. Cutin, complex mixtures of fatty acids linked to long-chain alcohols, forms a protective layer on the epidermis (cuticle)

  
• Waxes


  • Carnauba palm (Copernicia prunifera)