Chemistry of Life
Study Guide- Jaiya C.G.
Macromolecules
- Organic macromolecules are made of carbon.
- Other atoms such as Hydrogen,, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus & Sulfur or C.H.O.N.P.S. are used.
The Kinds Of Macromolecules-
- Carbohydrates (sugars)
- Proteins
- Lipids (fats)
- Nucleic Acids (DNA)
- Monomer-each individual unit.
- Polymer- molecules made from repeating smaller units.
- Hydrolysis- breakdown of a chemical when it reacts with water.
- Condesation Polymerization- the process of moving water to combine two molecules together.
Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates are carbs and water.
- Biological Importance -It is a key energy source for the body. -It stores energy (4 calories per gram) -Cell communication --- -Defense against invading viruses and bacteria
Examples of Carbohydrates
- Monosaccharides (mono=one)
-saccharide=sugar
-basic source of energy
Ex.
glucose= junk food
fruitose= fruit sugar
- Disaccharides (di=two)
-A chain of two monosaccharides linked together by a covalent bond
-Needs to be digested by the human body to be used in cells
Ex.
sucrose=table sugar
lactose=milk
- Polysaccharides (poly=many)
-A chain of 3 or more monosaccharides
-Can be very large; macromolecule
-stores plant energy; NEEDS to be digested by humans
Ex.
starches=bread
cellulose=tree bark
chitin=bug shells
- Oligosaccharides -Cell flags or identifiers ---carb. structure that contains 2 but less than 20
Proteins
- Becomes active by twisting and folding into their native conformation.
- The shape of the protein determines its function.
Functions-
- Nurses antibodies so the body can eliminate invading viruses and bacteria.
- Celluar messages
- Muscle movement
- Create hair and nail follicles
- Helps carry oxygen through the bloodstream
Monomer of Proteins-
Amino acids
Found In-
- Meat
- Fish
- Beans
Lipids/Fats
The Types of Lipids-
- Saturated
-Long chains of carbons with all bonds filled by hydrogen.
-Solid at room temperature.
Ex. butter, lard, muscle fat
- Unsaturated
-Has one double bond (mono) which causes a kink in the chain that does not allow the fat to solidify.
Ex. vegetable oils
- Polyunsaturated
-Has more than one double bond in the chains.
- Triglycerol
-Hydrolized in the small intestines by lipase into fatty acids, glycerol, and water.
Function-
- Makes up the cell membranes
- Long-term energy
Nucleic Acids
Three Kinds of Amino Acids
- DNA (deoxiribonucleic acid)
- RNA (ribinucleic acid)
-carries genetic information,
-codes for amino acids
- ATP (adenosine Triphosphate)
-molecular currency of energy transfer in cells
monomers of nucleotides
-phosphate bonds contain a lot of potential energy that is released when they are broken.
Monomer of Nucleic Acids
Nucleotides
- Sugar, base, phosphate
- DNA has one side
- RNA has two sides
Water
- Water is polar, two opposite charges~positive & negative~on either end.
- Water is covalently bonded, which means that has unequally shared electrons.
Properties of Water-
- Cohesion
water molecules are attracted to each other (co=together)
- -Adhesion
water molecules are attracted to a different molecule
- pH scale
water can cause separation in solutions +H (positive hydrogen) -OH ions causing solutions to be acidic or basic.
- Heat Storage
water can hold a lot of energy. It takes an extended period of time to warm up and cool down.
Ex. sweating, cool breeze
- Density as a Solid
Water is the only substance that is less dense as a solid than as a liquid, so it floats.