Chemical Compounds in Cells Element A substance that

Chemical Compounds in Cells

Element • A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances. • The smallest unit of an element is called… • An ATOM

Compound • When two or more elements combine chemically, they form a compound. • The smallest unit of any compound is called…. . • A Molecule

Examples of compounds • An example of a compound is water which is made up of the elements: – Hydrogen (2) – Oxygen (1)

Organic Compounds • Organic compounds: • Contain the element Carbon • Four groups of organic compounds found in all cells: • • Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids

Inorganic Compounds • Inorganic compounds: • DO NOT contain the element Carbon. • Three important inorganic compounds for living organisms: • Water • Sodium Chloride (salt) • Carbon Dioxide

Inorganic Compounds • Which organic compound is the exception to the rule? Why? – Carbon dioxide is an inorganic compound even though it contains carbon.

CARBOHYDRATES • What is the definition of a carbohydrate? – Energy rich organic compound made up of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

CARBOHYDRATES • What are some examples of carbohydrates? – Sugars and Starches. – Found in almost all foods from fruits and veggies, to breads and pasta.

CARBOHYDRATES • When is sugar produced in the pant cell? – During the food making process called photosynthesis. • In what organelle does photosynthesis take place? – The chloroplast • What is starch? – Starches are many sugars strung together. – Called complex carbohydrates – When we eat carbs out bodies break them down into glucose (sugar).

CARBOHYDRATES • What do plant cells use starch for? – To store excess energy. • What is the starch that makes up plant cell walls called? – Cellulose • Where else in the cell will you find carbohydrates? – In the membrane

Sugar vs. Starch Sugar Starch

Lipids • What is the definition of a lipid? – Energy rich compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. • What are some examples of lipids? – Fats, oils and waxes • What does the cell use lipids for? – To store energy for later use.

Lipids • How are lipids different from carbohydrates in terms of stored energy? – They store even more energy. • What cell part is composed of mostly lipids? – The cell membrane

Protein - Structure • What is the definition of a protein? – Large organic molecules made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur. • What are the small molecules that make up a protein? – Amino acids • How many of these are there? – 20

Protein - Structure • How do different proteins form? – The twenty amino acids can string together in different ways to form thousands of proteins.

Protein - Function • Where do we find proteins in the cell? – Most of the cells organelles are made of proteins. – Proteins are an important part of the cell membrane.

Protein - Function • What is an enzyme? – A type of protein that speeds up chemical reactions in living cells. • What would happen if we did not have enzymes in our cells? – Many of the essential chemical reactions in our cells would take too long or not occur at all. • Give an example of an enzyme in action – Enzymes in saliva speed up digestion.

Nucleic Acids • What is the definition of a nucleic acid? – Very long organic molecules made of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. • What are the two types of nucleic acids? – RNA – DNA.

Nucleic Acids • What is the function of DNA? – Genetic material that carries information about an organism, it is passed on from parent to offspring. • Where is DNA found? – In the chromatin located in the nucleus. • What is the function of RNA – Helps in the production of proteins • Where is RNA found? – In the cytoplasm and in the nucleus.

Nucleic Acids

Water • How much of your body is made up of water? – Two thirds • Why is water essential for our cells to function properly? – Most chemical reactions essential to our cells would not take place without water.