the chemistry of life! organic molecules andwater

The Chemistry of Life!The Chemistry of Life!

Organic Molecules Organic Molecules

And And

WaterWater

Organic Molecules Organic Molecules DefinedDefined

•All compounds that contain carbon atoms.

Properties of CarbonProperties of Carbon

• Carbon has 4 valence electrons (electrons that are not paired.)

• Carbon can bond / share electrons with many different types of atoms.

• Carbon can share electrons with other carbon atoms.

• Carbon can be in long chains or rings.

Structure of CarbonStructure of Carbon

CarbohydratesCarbohydrates• Elements – Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen• Building Blocks – (Monomers) simple

sugars• Energy source for plants and animals.• Structural elements of cells and tissues.• Storage form of energy (ATP).

- As glycogen in the body (Liver / Muscles)- As glucose in the blood stream- As cellulose in plants

C

C

CH2OH

H OHC

OHH C

HHO

H OH

C OH

D-Glucose

Structure of Glucose, Fructose, and Structure of Glucose, Fructose, and GalactoseGalactose

C

C

CH2OH

H OHC

OHH C

HHO

O

CH2OH

D-Fructose

Chemical Formula – C6H12O6

C

C

C

C

C

CH2OH

OH

OHH

HO H

HHO

OHH

D-Galactose

LipidsLipids• Elements – Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen

(Mostly Carbon and Hydrogen)• Building Blocks – (Monomers) Glycerol and

Fatty Acids• DO NOT dissolve in water. (Hydrophobic)• Function to store excess energy as fat

- Combine to form cell membranes- Act as insulation- Form Cholesterol, Vitamin D and Bile

Salts.

Fatty Acids – Saturated or Un-Fatty Acids – Saturated or Un-Saturated; What’s the Difference?Saturated; What’s the Difference?

• Saturated- A long chain of single

bonded carbon / carbon atoms.

- Becomes fluid only at high temperatures.

- Difficult for the body to breakdown (digest). Becomes stored as fat.

• Un-Saturated- A series of one or

more double bonds between carbon atoms.

- Fluid at various temperatures.

- More easily digested and used / excreted.

ProteinsProteins• Elements – Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen,

Nitrogen• Building Blocks – (Monomers) Amino Acids. (20

different amino acids.)• Function to form;

- Enzymes – (Special proteins that speed up chemical reactions.)- Antibodies to fight disease- Structural Proteins to make such things as hair- Transport Proteins such as hemoglobin to carry oxygen- Hormones

Amino Acid StructureAmino Acid Structure

H H O

N C C

H R OH

Amino CarboxylGroup Group

• 14 of the 20 amino acids are found / made in our bodies.

• The other 6 must be eaten.

• Without these essential amino acids, our bodies will start breaking down our own tissues.

More About ENZYMES! More About ENZYMES!

WATERWATER• Chemical

Formula = H2O

• Hydrogen’s are slightly positive.

• Oxygen is negative.

• H’s bond to O’s.

Properties of HProperties of H22OO

• 1. Cohesion = Water is attracted to and bonds with other

water molecules.

Ex. Surface Tension

Properties of HProperties of H22OO

• 2 Adhesion =The attraction of water molecules to

different molecules.

Ex. Capillary Action

Dehydration SynthesisDehydration Synthesis

• The removal a water molecule from two or more small compounds to make one larger compound.

HydrolysisHydrolysis

• Hydrolysis is the addiction of water to a larger compound to make it two or more smaller compounds.