Chemistry of Life

Chapter 2

Prepared By:
Ms. Lei Ann M. Peñaflor
Why should we study Chemistry in Biology?
Atom
It is the basic unit of matter
History
The Greeks tries to explain chemical
reaction
400 BC: matter is composed of:
◦ Fire
◦ Water
◦ Earth
◦ Air
History
Democritusused the term “atomos”
which means indivisible, indestructible.
Atoms
It has three subatomic particles:
◦ Electron (e-)
◦ Proton (p+)
◦ Neutron (n˚)
Atoms
Atoms has equal number of electrons and
protons
Atoms are said to be neutral
Elements
Elements are building blocks of all matter
It cannot be decompose into simpler
substances
110 known elements
88 occur naturally
Atomic number
Atomic number is equal to the number of
protons of an atom

Atomic Number 11
Symbol Na
Atomic mass
Atomic mass is equal to the number of
protons + number of neutrons
Isotopes
Atoms with same atomic number but
different atomic masses
Isotopes have unstable nuclei that tends to
breakdown over time (radioactive
isotopes)
Radiation can be useful
Parts of atom
Nucleus
Electron cloud
Valence Electron
It is the electron on the outer most shell of
the atom
It is where the bonding takes place
 Valence Electron
Energy Level (Shell) Maximum Number Max number of
of Electrons Valence Electrons

1 2 2

2 8 8

3 18 8

4 32 8

5 50 8

6 72 8

7 98 8
The Octet Rule
Atoms will combine to form compounds
in order to reach eight (8) electrons in
their outer energy level (stable)
Atoms with less than 4 electrons tend to
lose electrons
Atoms with more than 4 electrons tend to
gain electrons
Chemical bond
Ionicbond
Covalent bond
Hydrogen bond
Ionic bond
Atoms tend to gain or lose electrons
Covalent bond
Atoms share electrons
It can be double bond or triple bond
Hydrogen bond
It is formed when a single hydrogen atom
is share between two electronegative
atoms, usually oxygen and nitrogen
Hydrogen bond is responsible for:
Cohesion- attraction between molecules
of same substances
Adhesion- attraction between molecules
of the different substances
Compound
Two or more elements chemically
combine in specific proportion
examples:
Water - H2O
Salt - NaCl
Sugar - C6H12O6
Ionic compounds between metals and nonmetals
Covalent compounds form between two
nonmetals
Types of Chemical Substances
Pure substances- bonded chemically
◦ Elements
◦ Compounds
Mixture- bonded physically (physical
forces)
◦ Solution
◦ Colloids
◦ Suspension
Solution
Homogeneous in nature
Transparent
Do not separate
Example:
Water
brass
alcohol
Colloid
Have medium sized particles
Do not separate
Examples:
vinegar
milk
mayonaise
Suspension
Heterogeneous in nature
Settle out (substrate)
Example:
muddy water
oil and water
sand and water
Acids, Bases and pH
pH measures the concentration of
hydrogen ions in a solution
Ranges from 0-14
Acids
Have 0-6 pH
Contains more hydrogen ions (H+)
Example:
Hydrocloric Acid (HCl)
Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)
Citric Acid
Acetic Acid
Base
Have 8-14 pH
Contains more Hydrogenoxide ion (OH-)
Example:
Hydrogen Peroxide
soap
baking soda
Ammonia
Buffer
Itis a substance which has a capability to
neutralize both acids and bases
Example:
Protein
Phosphates
Hydrogen carbonates
Organic compounds
Chemical compound of all living
organism
Carbon containing compounds
Carbon can easily combined with other
elements (tetravalent)
Organic compound
Organicmolecules can be extremely large
and complex (macromolecules)
Four Major Organic Compounds
(Biomolecules)

Carbohydrates
Protein
Fats
Nucleic Acid
Carbohydrates
Mainly made of C, H and O
Major energy source of living things
Breaks down into simple sugar
Carbohydrates
Monosaccharides (building block)
◦ Glucose- blood sugar
◦ Fructose- fruit sugar
◦ Galactose- milk sugar
◦ Ribose
◦ Deoxyribose
Disaccharides
◦ Sucrose- glucose+fructose
◦ Maltose- glucose+glucose
◦ Lactose- galactose+glucose
Carbohydrates
Oligosaccharides
Polysaccharides
◦ Starch- storage food for plant
◦ Glycogen- storage food for animals
◦ Cellulose- rigid part of the cell wall
◦ Chitin- exoskeleton of arthropods
Protein
Compound containing C, H, O and N
Formed from Amino acids (building
blocks- 20 A’a)
Protein
Provides structure
◦ Collagen
◦ Fibrous protein
Aids in chemical activities in our body
◦ enzymes
Transport substance in and out of the cell
◦ Protein channels
Helps fight disease
◦ Antibodies and antigen
Lipids
Store more energy than CHO’s because of
longer chains of hyrocatbons
Do not dissolve in H2O
Lipids
Important parts of biological membrane
(semipermeable)
Steroids act as chemical messenger
Lipids
Lipids are made from glycerol combined
with fatty acids (building blocks)
◦ Saturated fatty acids- normally solid at room
temp.
 Animal fat
 Lard
 butter
◦ Unsaturated fatty acids- liquid at room temp.
 Vegetable oil
 Peanut oil
 Olive oil
Nucleic Acids
Containing C,H,O,N and Phosphorus
Formed by bonding of individual units
called nucleotide (building blocks)
Nucleic Acids