Chemistry of Life

Atomic Structure and Properties

Chemical Bonding
Macromolecules
Chemical reactions
 Prior Knowledge
• Write everything you know about the
following equation.

• C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O

 Atoms
• The basic unit of matter is an ATOM.
– Atoms are broken into 3 parts
• Protons (+ charge) found in the nucleus
• Neutrons (no charge) found in the nucleus
• Electrons ( - charge) found in constant motion around
the nucleus (orbitals)
• A substance made up of only one type of atom
is called an element (N2)
• A substance made up of more than one type of
atom is called a compound. (ex H2O)
• A typical atom can exist in two different forms
which affect the atomic properties:
• Neutrons can be added (common) or lost
(uncommon) to form isotopes. Uses?
• Electrons can be added or lost to create a
charged atom called an ion.
• Losing electrons create a positive charge (cation)
• Gaining an electron forms a negative charge (anion)
• Interactions of atoms are mostly a product of moving
electrons (bonding, electricity, conduction, etc)
                                                       
 Chemical bonds
• 3 main types of bonds (two biological)
• Metallic Bonds form between two metals
(very strong) example Fe3
• Ionic Bonds form from sharing of electrons
(weak) example NaCl
• Covalent Bonds form from the sharing of
electrons. (Strong) example CH4
 CO2

NH3CH2CO2
 Identify

• MgF2
• CaO
• N2O3
• Li3N
• C6H12O6
 Ionic Bonds Covalent Bonds
Transfer of electrons Sharing of electrons
Weak bonds Strong Bonds
Metal and non-metal Two non-metals
Enegativity 1.8 or more Enegativity 1.2 or less
Examples: Examples:
NaCl, CaO, MgF2 CO2, F2, P4S10
 Properties of H2O
• Water molecules are neutral (no net charge).
Why then is water one of the best electrical
conductors?
• Water is a polar molecule which forms both
covalent and ionic bonds.
– Polar covalent bonds form between Hydrogen and
Oxygen creating a (+) charge on the H and a (-)
charge on the O.
– Hydrogen bonds from between water molecules.
The positive H attracts the negative O. The result
is a matrix with unlimited bonds.
• Cohesion is the attraction between molecules
of the same substance.
• Adhesion is the attraction between molecules
of different substances.
• Mixtures are formed by two or more
molecules which are phyiscally joined but not
chemically.
– Solutions: all components are spread evenly
• Solute: dissolved substance (solid) ex. salt
• Solvent: substance doing the dissolving (liquid) ex H2O
 Acids / Bases
• What happens when you split a water
molecule?
• You get two charged molecules that are the
basis of many chemical reactions
– Acids are formed from large concentrations of H+
ions (hydrogen ions). pH scale from 1 - 6
– Bases are formed from large concentrations of OH-
ions (hydroxide ions) pH scale from 8 – 14
– Water consists of both ions and thus is neutral at
pH of 7.
 Organic Chemistry
• Organic chemistry is the study of compounds
with bonds between carbon atoms.
• Carbon compounds are the base to all living
organisms (organic).
• There are 4 groups of large organic
compounds called macromolecules.
 Carbohydrates
• Sugars / starches
• Mainly used for energy and structure in
organisms
• Simplest of the four macromolecules
• Monosaccharides – simple sugars (glucose)
• Polysaccharides – complex chain of
monosaccharides (starch)
 Lipids
• Fats, oils
• Contain mostly carbon and hydrogen
• Source of stored energy for organisms
• Found in membranes and barriers (skin)
• Non-water soluble (does not allow water to
pass)
 Proteins
• Made up of long chains of amino acids
(bonded through hydrolysis)
• Contain nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen. The most complex macromolecule.
• Proteins have a variety of functions:
– Structure and support (forms bone and muscle)
– Regulates cell process and controls chemical
reaction rates
– Transports materials
– Fights diseases
 Comparing Macromolecules
• What element is different between Proteins
and sugars?
Sugar Structure
Lipid structure
Protein Structure
 Nucleic Acids
• Contains nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, hydrogen,
phosphorus
• Stores genetic information
• Transmits genetic information (codes for
proteins)
 Chemical Reactions
• Your body is a complex system going through
thousands of chemical reactions every second.
• Energy, protein production, waste removal,
oxygen transport, muscle contractions, are all
examples of chemical reactions.
• What is the difference between a chemical
and physical reaction?
• C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O
– Reactants Products
• Chemical reactions break chemical bonds in
the reactants to form new (different) products
• Exothermic Reaction – releases energy
– Reactants are larger than products
• Endothermic Reaction – requires energy
– Products are larger than reactants
 Types of Chemical Reactions
• Decomposition (Break down)
• Synthesis (Build-up)
• Single displacement (re-arranging)
• Double displacement (re-arranging)
• Combustion (burning)
– What are the products and reactants?
• Does water and carbon dioxide naturally
combine to make sugar?
• No, it requires a specific amount of energy
applied to the two chemicals to start the
chemical reaction. This is called Activation
Energy.
• Organisms are able to control reactions by
using substances called catalysts which can
control the rate of a reaction.
• Some of the most important catalysts are
found inside your body and cells, these
biological catalysts are called Enzymes.
• Enzymes (biological catalysts) work by
attaching to a substance (substrate) at a
specific recognition site called an active site.
• This is the same process used by antibodies
and to fight off diseases. Why then can your
body not fight off the disease called HIV or
AIDS? (what type of cell fights diseases?)