The Chemistry of Life

Up and Atom! Basic Unit of Matter is the ATOM

100 million atoms is only 1 cm long!

Subatomic Particles Protons (+) Electrons (-) Neutrons

Protons and Neutrons havesimilar mass.

Electrons have1/1840 the mass of a proton.

Elements Element – a pure substance that

consists entirely of one type of atom. The periodic table is full of them! Ex: Carbon, Oxygen, Chlorine, Neon

Chemical Compounds A compound is a substance formed by

the chemical combination of two or more elements. Ex: H20, NaCl, C6H12O6

Chemical Bonds Ionic Bond

1 or more electrons are transferred from one atom to another. Atom gaining electrons becomes more (-) Atom losing electrons becomes more (+) A (+) or (-) charged atom is known as an ion.

Covalent Bond Electrons are shared between two atoms. This forms a molecule.

Polarity of Water Uneven distribution of electrons

between the oxygen and hydrogen.

Hydrogen Bonds Cohesion

Attraction between molecules of the same substance.

Creates surfacetension.

Hydrogen Bonds Adhesion

Attraction between molecules of different substances.

Macromolecules Large compounds

formed by joining smaller compounds. Monomer – single unit Polymer - multiple units

joined together

Carbohydrates C,H,O in a 1:2:1 ratio Main source of energy

Ex: glucose(sugar) and starches

C6H12O6

Carbohydrates Monosaccharaides – single sugar

molecule

Polysaccharides – many sugar molecules joined together

Lipids C,H Fats, oils, waxes Not soluble in liquids(generally) Used to store energy Great at waterproofing

Used by cells to create a membrane

Lipids Saturated –

Carbons are joined by single bond.

Unsaturated – At least one C - C bond is a double bond.

Nucleic Acids C,H,N,O,P Made out of individual monomers called

nucleotides. Consists of 5-carbon sugar, phosphate

group, and a nitrogenous base. Store and transmit genetic

information. Ribonucelic Acid (RNA) Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Proteins C,H,N,O Polymers of amino acids Controls the rate of reactions and

regulates cell processes. Form bones and muscles Transport substances in/out cell Fight disease

Proteins Amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl

group (-COOH).

Proteins

AminoAcids

Protein Molecule

Chemical Reactions and Enzymes Process that changes,

or transforms one set of chemicals into another.

Reaction Basics Reactant – elements or compounds that enter in to the reaction

Products – the elements or compounds that are produced by a reaction.

making more products making more reactants

(reverse reaction)

Endothermic vs Exothermic Endothermic – energy

absorbing Feels cold

Exothermic – energy releasing Feels warm Looks bright You can hear it

Energy How do plants get energy?

How do animals get energy?

Energy Activation Energy – energy needed to

get the reaction started.

Enzymes Proteins that act as biological catalyst

Catalyst – substance that speeds up the rate of reaction.

So an enzymes speed up chemical reactions that take place in the cell. How?

By lowering the required activation energy.

Regulating Enzymes pH Temperature Proteins can turn some enzymes on/off.