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Dive into the fundamental concepts of the chemistry of life, from the structure of water molecules to the role of hydrogen bonds, organic compounds, and chemical reactions in biological processes. Understand the significance of polarity, solvents, acids, bases, and more.
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Chemistry of Life Unit When water, H2O, is created, hydrogen and oxygen share the electrons • The oxygen has a slightly negative charge • The hydrogen’s have a slightly positive charge This uneven pattern of charge creates a polar molecule = has a positive side and negative side
Water Molecule _ O H H + +
Hydrogen Bonding Hydrogen Bond = an attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen atom and a slightly negative atom, often oxygen or nitrogen
Hydrogen Bonding Hydrogen Bond
Properties Related to Hydrogen Bonding Life depends on hydrogen bonds in water • High Specific Heat = water resists changes in temp. - helps regulate cells
Properties Related to Hydrogen Bonding (cont) • Cohesion = attractive forces between particles of the same kind - example: surface tension of water • Adhesion = the attractive forces between unlike substances - example: meniscus curve in a graduated cylinder
Properties Related to Hydrogen Bonding (cont) • Capillarity = the ability of water to move up through narrow tubes against gravity - due to cohesion and adhesion - example: carnations turning a different color in colored water
Solutions The polarity of water makes it very effective at dissolving many substances Solvent + Solute = Solution Concentration [ ] = amount of solute in a given amount of solvent Saturated = no more solute will dissolve in the solvent
Solvent + Solute = Solution Solution
Mosquito injects a solution into your body that prevents clotting
Solutions (cont) Water is the universal solvent. All processes necessary for life take place in water.
Acids and Bases Acid = compound that releases a hydrogen ion (H+) when dissolved in water - increases the H+ [ ] Base = compound that remove H+ ions from a solution - lowers the H+ [ ]
Acids and Bases (cont) pH scale = amount of H+ ions in a solution 0 to 6 = acidic 7 = neutral 8 to 14 = basic buffer = compound that regulates H+ [ ] - maintains homeostasis
Organic Compounds Carbon is the building block of life - can form multiple bonds (up to 4), including other carbon atoms More than 90 % of the mass of all living things are composed of combinations of just 4 elements 1) Carbon ( C) 2) Hydrogen (H) 3) Oxygen (O) 4) Nitrogen (N)
Examples sugars starches cellulose glycogen Specifics - contain C, H, and O - main source of usable chemical energy for cells - major part of plant cell wall (made of cellulose) - most basic are simple sugars = monosaccharides (glucose) - bond to form polysaccharides 1) Carbohydrates
1) Carbohydrates Glucose
Examples Fats Oils Cholesterol Specifics - contain C, H, and O - store large amounts of energy - cell membrane made up of phospholipids - regulate body responses and control sexual development - are nonpolar molecules (don’t dissolve in water) 2) Lipids
Examples Specifics - contain C, H, O, and N - made of monomers called amino acids - 20 different amino acids build proteins - specific sequence determines structure and function 3) Proteins
Red Blood Cells and Sickle Cell Anemia(SEM 3500x)
Functions: – stores info to build proteins – helps build proteins Types: 1) DNA 2) RNA 4) Nucleic Acids- work together to make proteins
Chemical Reactions = change substances into different substances by breaking and forming chemical bonds
6O2 + C6H12O6 6CO2 + 6H2O 1. Reactants = substances changed during a chemical reaction (left side) 2. Direction 3. Products = substances made during a chemical reaction (right side)
Bond Energy = the amount of energy that will break a bond Chemical Equilibrium = when both the reactants and products are made at the same rate * Chemical reactions release or absorb energy
Types of Chemical Reactions Activation Energy = the amount of energy needed to start a reaction - is very high in most chemical reactions (especially in the body)
Types of Chemical Reactions (cont) Exothermic = chemical reaction that releases more energy than it absorbs - gives off heat (hot) - ex: cellular respiration
Exothermic Reaction 5 6 7 4
Types of Chemical Reactions (cont) Endothermic = chemical reaction that absorbs more energy than it releases - absorbs heat (cold) - ex: photosynthesis
Endothermic Reaction 9 10 8 11
Enzymes Catalyst = substance that reduces the amount of activation energy that is needed to start a chemical reaction Catalysts are not changed during a chemical reaction Enzymes = a type of catalyst in living things
Enzymes - almost all are proteins - work best in normal body conditions (temp. and pH) - specific shape allows only certain reactants to bind - fit like a lock and key
Enzymes (cont) - functions: 1) help bring substrates together and chemical reactions occur 2) decrease the activation energy of the reaction 3) increase the rate of the reaction
Enzymes (cont) - Reaction 1 requires more activation energy than Reaction 2 - Reaction 3 has less activation energy due to a catalyst being used