The Chemistry of Life

1. The Chemistry of Life Chapter 2

2. Chemistry Review • Atoms • the basic unit of matter • “unable to cut” • Made up of protons (+), neutrons, and electrons (-)

3. Chemistry Review • Elements • Substance made up of only one kind of atom • Carbon (C) – is the basic element of all living things • Other Common Elements: Na (sodium), Cl (chlorine), H (hydrogen), P (Phosphorus)

4. Chemistry Review • Chemical Compounds • Combinations of different elements • Elements are held together by chemical bonds • When bonds are broken a lot of energy is released

5. Chemistry Review • pH Scale • A measure of the amount of H+ ions in a substance • Scale ranges from 0 – 14 • Acidic = 0 – 6 • Neutral = 7 (water) • Basic = 8 – 14

6. Carbon Compounds • Also called Organic Compounds • Every living thing contains compounds containing carbon • Carbon can bond with many other elements at the same time • Usually in the form of chains or rings • Very versatile

7. Macromolecules • “giant molecules” in living things • Made up of thousands of molecules all chained together • Monomers: the smallest unit, each individual molecule • Polymers: A strand of identical monomers connected together • (ex) beads on a necklace

8. 4 Groups of Organic Compounds in Living Things • Carbohydrates • Lipids (Fats) • Nucleic Acids • Proteins

9. Carbohydrates • 1:2:1 ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen • Main energy source for living things • Used also for structural support in plants and animals • Chains of glucose (monomer)= starch (polymer) • Break down sugar = energy

10. Carbs cont. • Disaccharides • a chain of Monosaccharides • Starch = pasta, breads, cereal • Excess sugar stored as starch • Longterm energy • Monosaccharides • Simple sugar molecules • Glucose (sugar), galactose (dairy), fructose (fruit) • Immediate energy

11. Lipids • Made up of carbon and hydrogen • Not soluble • Fats, oils, waxes • Used to store energy, important part of membranes, waterproof coverings (aquatic animals)

12. Lipids cont. • Fatty Acids • Lipids + glycerol • Saturated Fats = maximum # of hydrogen bonds (unhealthy) • Unsaturated Fats = free carbon bonds, easier to break apart (healthier)

13. Nucleic Acids • Contain hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus • (ex) DNA and RNA • Store and transmit genetic information

14. Proteins • Contain nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen • A protein is a chain of amino acids (monomer) • Function = regulate cell processes, form bone and muscles, fight diseases, cell transport

15. Nutrition CH 38

16. Food and Energy • Eating = obtaining energy • Calories • The amount of energy in food • Measured by burning food and measuring how much heat it gives off • Calories that are not burned off or used are stored • You should eat only 2200 – 3000 calories a day depending on how active you are

17. Nutrients • Substances in food that are needed for growth , repair, and maintenance of the body • 6 types are needed by the body: • Water • Carbohydrates • Proteins • Fats • Vitamins • Minerals

18. Water • Most important nutrient • Needed for growth, energy, and almost all body processes • Main part of blood, lymph, and other body fluids • Used to maintain body temperature (sweating)

19. Carbohydrates • Food energy • Simple (sugars) and complex (starches) • Fiber keeps things moving through the digestive system

20. Fats • Good in small amounts • Used to produce membranes and hormones • Protect body organs, provide warmth, and store energy • 40% of Americans’ calories come from fats • Too much fat = obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes

21. Proteins • Growth and repair of skin and muscles • Polymers of amino acids • Body needs 20 amino acids • We can make 12 • The other “8 essential amino acids” are acquired through foods

22. Vitamins • 14 vitamins needed by the body in small amounts • Vitamin A, D, E and K are stored in fats • Vitamin B and C dissolve in water and need to be replaced daily • Multi-vitamins • Too much = unhealthy • Your body can only absorb so much

23. Minerals • Inorganic molecules (no carbon) that are needed in small amounts • Many are lost in sweat and urine • Calcium = healthy bones and teeth • Iron = carries oxygen in blood • Potassium = muscle strength, no cramps

24. Burning Calories • Metabolism • Your body’s ability to breakdown food and burn off calories • Different rates in every person • Controlled by the thyroid gland

25. Fad Diets • Cabbage Soup Diet • Atkins Diet • Hollywood 48 Hour Miracle Diet • Grapefruit Juice Diet • South Beach Diet • Bread and Butter Diet • Subway Diet • Russian Air Force Diet

26. Dieting Pills • VERY DANGEROUS • They use ephedra or caffenne to increase metabolism • They usually result in vomiting, insomnia, irritabilty, cardiac arrest, or even death • Examples = Trim Spa, Stacker 1,2, & 3, Metabolife, Zantrex, Xenadrine

27. A Good Diet • Balanced Diet (something from every food group) • Decrease in the # of calories • Exercise • Long Term Use/Change in Lifestyle

28. Obesity • It’s a disease…..turning into an epidemic • 1/3 of Americans are overweight • Causes 300,000 premature deaths a year • Michigan = #5 of obese states (31%) 2011 • Detroit = #13 city in the nation for obesity 2008 • Consequences = bad health (death), high insurance premiums, discrimination

29. Chemical Reactions and Enzymes CH 2-4

30. Chemical Reactions • Process that changes one set of chemicals into another • Some are slow (rusting) others are quick (explosives) • Reactants = starting compounds • Products = end compounds

31. Chemical Bonds • Bonds are broken • Energy released • Hot • Happens spontaneously • Bonds are formed • energy absorbed • Cold • Needs a source of energy to occur

32. Chemical Reactions in Living Things • Needed for energy, digestion, breathing, etc… • Most reactions occur in the cell • Some chemical reactions occur too slowly on their own • These reactions need something to speed up the reaction or the organism will die

33. Catalysts • A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction • Enzymes = biological catalysts made in the cell - make life possible - allow body to get rid of CO2 safely - made of proteins

34. How Enzymes Work • Enzymes attach to specific a reactant (site specific) • Provides energy for the reaction (now your body doesn’t have to supply as much) • Reaction occurs at a faster pace than normal • http://queenoflub.com/biochem/enzymes.html%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8