Unit 1 Recap

Chemical
elements of life
• Key chemical elements that make up
living things: carbon, hydrogen,
nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and
sulfur
• These elements are essential building
blocks for living organisms, and they
form various types of molecules:
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and
nucleic acids
Organic Compounds
• Compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen atoms
• Examples: Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids
• Vital for life processes
Carbohydrates
• Organic compounds made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
• Provide energy to the body
• Examples: glucose, fructose, sucrose
• Carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
• Major source of energy for cells
• Simple sugars like glucose and fructose are monosaccharides, while complex
carbohydrates like starch and cellulose are disaccharides and polysaccharides
• Found in foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains
• Excess carbohydrates are stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen
Lipids
• Organic compounds that are insoluble in water
• Important for energy storage, insulation, and cell membrane structure
• Examples: fats, oils, waxes
• Lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
• They are nonpolar making them insoluble in water
• Important for the structure of cell membranes
• Serve as energy storage molecules
• Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and are typically found in animal
products, while unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature and are
typically found in plant products.
Proteins
• Organic compounds made up of amino acids
• Essential for growth and repair of body tissues
• Examples: enzymes, hormones, antibodies
• Proteins are composed of amino acids, which are linked together by peptide
bonds
• Play a crucial role in cell function
• Act as enzymes, hormones, and structural components
• Amino acids are classified as essential (cannot be synthesized by the body) or
non-essential (can be synthesized by the body)
• The sequence of amino acids determines the shape and function of the protein.
Nucleic Acids
• Organic compounds that store and transmit genetic information
• Examples: DNA, RNA
• Nucleic acids are composed of nucleotides, which consist of a sugar, a
phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base
• Carry genetic information
• Responsible for passing traits from one generation to the next
• Types of nucleic acids include DNA and RNA
• The sequence of nucleotides in DNA determines the genetic code,
which contains the instructions for the synthesis of proteins.
Chemical Reactions in Living Systems
• Metabolic reactions convert nutrients into energy
• Anabolism is the synthesis of molecules, while catabolism is the
breakdown of molecules
• Biosynthesis reactions produce new molecules, such as the synthesis
of proteins from amino acids
• Often catalyzed by enzymes, which are proteins that speed up
chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy
• Enzymes are specific to certain substrates and are regulated by factors
such as temperature and pH.
Enzymes
• Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts in living
organisms.
• They speed up the rate of chemical reactions without being consumed
or changed.
• Work with a Lock and Key model.
• Enzymes are essential for life processes.
Inorganic Compounds
• Compounds that do not contain carbon and hydrogen atoms
• Examples: Water, minerals, acids, bases
• Essential for life processes
Water
• Inorganic compound that is essential for life
• Important for chemical reactions, temperature regulation, and
transport of nutrients and wastes
Minerals
• Inorganic substances that are essential for body functions
• Examples: calcium, iron, sodium, potassium
• Needed for bone health, muscle function, and nerve transmission
Summary
• Organic compounds contain carbon and hydrogen atoms and include
carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
• Inorganic compounds do not contain carbon and hydrogen atoms and
include water, minerals, acids, and bases.
• Both organic and inorganic compounds are essential for life processes.