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Biochemistry

Biochemistry. The Chemical Composition of Living Matter. All chemicals in the body can be classified as either inorganic or organic. Inorganic compounds – tend to lack carbon and tend to be small, simple molecules Organic compounds – contain carbon and are fairly large covalent molecules

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Biochemistry

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  1. Biochemistry The Chemical Composition of Living Matter

  2. All chemicals in the body can be classified as either inorganic or organic. • Inorganic compounds – tend to lack carbon and tend to be small, simple molecules • Organic compounds – contain carbon and are fairly large covalent molecules • Both are very important

  3. Important Inorganic Compounds

  4. Water • Accounts for about 2/3 of our body weight • Has a high heat capacity – it can absorb or release large amounts of heat without its temperature changing too much • Has polarity - since water is polar, it can dissolve polar molecules. This includes acids, bases, salts, and many other molecules. • Has chemical reactivity – it is the reactant in many chemical reactions, which are called hydrolysis reactions • Can Cushion – it can protect different organs, such as the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid)

  5. Salts • Salts are ionic compounds and therefore dissociate (break apart) in body fluids. • When dissociated, they become known as electrolytes. • Salts are used in the body in many different ways, including using the ions (like sodium and potassium) to make energy for cells to using pieces of it as building blocks for larger molecules (iron in the hemoglobin molecule)

  6. Acids and Bases • Acids – donate H+ (Hydronium ion), have a sour taste, and are good electrolytes • Bases – receive H+ (or donate OH- (Hydroxide ion)), have a bitter taste, feel slippery, and are also good electrolytes. • pH scale • 0-7: acidic 7: neutral 7-14: basic • Living cells are very sensitive to even the slightest change in pH, so acid-base balance is carefully regulated by the kidneys, lungs, and chemical buffers

  7. Model Kit Lab • Before we get started: What is a Lewis Dot Formula and what do the dots represent? • You are going to build up to the molecules we are going to talk about tomorrow, the organic compounds. • Make sure you return all the pieces to the box before you leave.

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