Organic Chemistry Biologically Important Molecules Chemical Compounds in
Organic Chemistry Biologically Important Molecules
Chemical Compounds in Living Things • Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen make up practically all the chemical compounds in living things • These 4 elements make up 96. 3% of the total weight of the human body.
2 Groups of Compounds • Organic – compounds that contain carbon; associated with living organisms • Inorganic- compounds that do not contain carbon
Organic Compounds • The name organic chemistry came from the word organism. • Organic chemistry deals with the chemistry of carbon There are more than 2 million carbon compounds
Elements vs. Compounds • Elements are made of one type of atom – Found on the Periodic Table – Ex. - carbon, oxygen, nitrogen • Compounds are a combination of 2 or more elements – Ex. - water (H 2 O), carbon dioxide (CO 2)
Polymerization • Polymerization- chemical process where small compounds are used to build larger compounds • monomers- smaller compounds; building blocks (“puzzle pieces”) • polymers- made up of a series of monomers (the completed “puzzle”)
• macromolecules- extremely large polymers; macro- means giant • The process of polymerization is like using the alphabet
Compounds of Life • Organic compounds found in living things can be classified into one of 4 major groups of biological macromolecules: – carbohydrates – lipids – proteins – nucleic acids
Carbohydrates Sugars and Starches
What are carbohydrates used for? ENERGY STRUCTURE
Structure • carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen • two hydrogen atoms for every one oxygen atom-- H: O = 2: 1 always!
Carbohydrates provide 4 calories of energy per gram.
Important Examples glycogen starch cellulose sugar (glucose)
Monosaccharides • monosaccharide- single, or simple, sugar; the simplest carbohydrate – All carbohydrates are built from monosaccharides = monomers = building blocks – Energy source for cellular respiration – Examples: glucose- “blood sugar” fructose- found in fruits galactose- found in milk
Glucose is the most important monosaccharide on Earth. Made during Photosynthesis Used for energy during Cellular Respiration
Polysaccharides for Storage • polysaccharides- long chains of monosaccharides; very large complex carbs • excess sugar is stored in the form of polysaccharides – starch = stored sugar in plants – glycogen = stored sugar in animals (stored in liver and muscles)
Other Important Polysaccharides • Cellulose is only found in plants – Makes up plant cell walls to provides strength and rigidity – Major component of wood • Chitin is the material that makes up the exoskeletons of all arthropods (insects, spiders, lobsters, etc. )
Lipids AKA: Fats, Oils, Waxes, Hormones
Overview • fats and waxes tend to be solid at room temperature • oils tend to be liquids at room temperature • insoluble in water (hydrophobic)
Importance The body uses fat as a long-term energy storage. 9 calories/gram
Importance • forms cell membranes • stored, backup energy • provides insulation- regulates body temperature • help the body use vitamins • cushions organs • function as messengers • promotes healthy skin • Bonus- Taste great!
Structure • mostly carbon & hydrogen – small amount of oxygen – no ratio • Made up of fatty acids = building blocks = monomers – Fatty acids make the fats non-polar and hydrophobic
Triglycerides • most of the fat in your body is in the form of triglycerides (~97%) • any lipid made up of 3 fatty acids
Ex. - Phospholipids • a phosphate group replaces the third fatty acid • makes up the structure of cell membranes (phospholipid bilayer)
Phospholipids cont. • have a hydrophillic “head” (phosphate) • have a hydrophobic “tail” • hydrophillic- water loving • hydrophobic- water fearing • soluble in water
Ex. - Sterols • Cholesterol is one of the most common sterols – Cholesterol is important to the structure of brain and nerve cells • • Used to make bile (for digestion) Part of vitamin D Help carry messages in the body Help form steroid hormones such as cortisol, testosterone, and progesterone
• • Ex. - Waxes coat and protect things in nature bees make wax our ears make wax plant leaves have a waxy coating on the outside to prevent water loss = transpiration
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