chapter 3.2: What’s the Matter? Living and Nonliving Material Knowt Import Ready

hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen

The molecules are primarily composed of these elements with very small amounts (less than 2 percent) of elements like calcium, phosphorus, and sulfur.

molecules are modular

Meaning that a few different shapes can combine in multiple ways to create a wide variety of unique and complex results.

geometry or three-dimensional shape

The basic molecules’ geometry or three-dimensional shape determines how they combine to form larger, more complex compounds.

Proteins

Are made up of smaller organic compounds called amino acids that are linked together in chains.

Enzymes

Assist other molecules during chemical reactions by providing structure. Sometimes enzymes bring molecules together and help them connect to form something more complex. Other times they help break molecules apart.

Hormones

Function as messengers between cells in an organism, signaling to different cells when to begin or end particular activities.

Antibodies

Are what your immune system uses to fight off illness and disease.

Nucleic Acids

Are the organic molecules that contain instructions for cell reproduction and energy use.

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid

The most familiar nucleic acid. DNA molecules link together to form genes, which are the blueprints for creating new cells with specific physical and functional characteristics.

Carbohydrates

Are molecules that help organisms store and use energy, as well as provide structural material.

glucose

The simplest carbohydrates are single sugar molecules, such as glucose.

cellulose

One example of more complex carbohydrates that forms structures such as plant fibers.

starch

One example of more complex carbohydrates.

Lipids

Are organic compounds that don't dissolve in water; they include many greasy or oily substances, such as wax, butter, and oil.

atom

The fundamental unit of matter.

cell

The fundamental unit of life.

Cell specialization

Is when cells take on different jobs or assignments within the organism.

cell wall and chloroplasts

In addition to these organelles, plant cells have a few other important parts that animal cells don't have.

Cell membrane

Defines the outer boundary of the cell. It prevents some materials from passing through but allows other materials such as energy and waste to pass into and out of the cell.

Nucleus

Is where the genetic information (DNA) of the cell is stored.

Mitochondria

In a cell provide fuel for everything the cell does.

cell wall

Made of cellulose that helps the cell maintain a more rigid structure.

chloroplasts

Are organelles inside plant cells that use a molecule to capture sunlight and transform it into energy that the plant can use to fuel its living processes.

bacteria

Single-celled organisms with simple cells.

fungi

Molds, mushrooms, and other organisms.

protists

Single-celled organisms with complex cells.

archaea

A massive group of single-celled life forms living happily in the most extreme environments on Earth.

eukarya

Complex-celled organisms, including plants, animals, fungi, and protists.

extremophiles

Organisms that thrive in extreme environments.

Hyperthermophiles

Live in places with high temperatures, up to and exceeding the boiling point of water, including hot springs and seafloor vents.

Acidophiles

Live in places with very low pH, or high acidity.

Alkaliphiles

Live in places with very high pH, or extremely low acidity.

Cryophiles

Live at temperatures below freezing, such as in glacier ice, in permafrost, and below winter snowpack.

Xerophiles

Live in extremely dry conditions, such as in deserts.

Halophiles

Live in environments with high concentrations of dissolved salt.

Prozophiles

Live in environments with high pressure.

Psychrophilic

Live in low temperature environments.

madical properties of matter

Acting as solvent, creating surface tension, moving upward with capillary action, and the unbearable lightness of ice.

solution

Acid and base compounds into liquid form.