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.