Chemistry in Biology

Organic compounds

Contains carbon- was living or once was

Inorganic Compounds

Doesn't contain carbon- is not living and never was

PH Scale

Defines whether something is an acid (0-6.9) or base (7.1-14). Acids have more H+ and bases have more OH- (this dictates chemical behavior and biological effects).

Carb function

body's main source of energy

Carb monomer and structure

monosaccharides- carbs are shaped like rings

Examples of Carbs

Fructose, galactose, glucose (sugars + starches)

Elements of carbs

CHO- carbon, hydrogen, oxygen (1:2:1)

Dehydration synthesis

the process of putting compounds together by taking out H20

Lipids/fats functions

store energy, insulation, protection

Lipids/fats monomer and strucuture

triglycerides (glycerol and three fatty acids). Line with fat coming out the sides (like an E); has a carboxyl group

Lipids/fats elements

CHO: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen

Lipids/fats examples

fat, oil, wax, butter, margarine, veg oil, meat, cheese, nuts, milk

Saturated fats

Has one bond; solid at room temp

Unsaturated fats

at least one double bond; liquid at room temperature

Polyunsaturated fats

more than one double bond. Liquid at room temp.

Proteins function

forms part of cells and regulates cell functions (enzymes)

Proteins monomer

amino acids

Peptide bond

a special type of covalent bond between amino acids in protein

Protein elements

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen

Protein examples

meat, poultry, fish, beans, peanuts, eggs, cheese, milk

Protein structure

Like a bead necklace. Has a carboxyl and amino acid group.

Nucleic Acid function

the hereditary material found in cells

Nucleic Acids monomer

Nucleotide (sugar, phosphate, nitrogen base)

Nucleic acids elements

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphates

Nucleic Acids examples and parts

DNA and RNA (deoxyribo and ribos are sugars, nucleic acids are organic compounds

Monomer

smaller organic molecules

Macromolecule/Polymer

large molecules that are formed by joining monomers together

Nucleic acids structure

Rings with phosphates and sugars

Monosaccharide

Single sugar molecule- glucose, fructose, galactose

Disaccharide

Two sugar molecules linked- maltose, sucrose, lactose

Polysaccharide

Many sugar molecules linked- starch, glycogen, cellulose

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up biochemical reactions (lowers activation energy required by holding molecules together to synthesize or decompose)

Catalyst

a chemical that speeds up chemical reactions (lowering required activation energy)

Enzyme-Substrate Specificity

Enyzme's active site is shaped to bind with a specific substrate to do a certain function.

Denaturing (breaking down) an Enzyme

Change in temperature or PH level (needs certain level of these)

What happens to water when it freezes

Lower density and expands

Why does water have a high surface tension

Strong hydrogen bonds form a surface through cohesion

Adhesion

Water sticks to different molecules

Cohesion

Water sticks to itself

Specfiic heat

The amount of heat needed to be absorbed/lost by a substance for 1 gram of it to change by 1 celsius.

How does waters high specific heat help organisms

sweating to cool off, water cycle, outside temps do not significantly affect it (helps organisms to gradually get used to a temp or stay the same)

Capillary Action

A combo of adhesion and cohesion that helps water travels upwards, usually to reach the leaves of plants

Why is water important to organisms

Water makes up most of our cells

Is water polar/non-polar

Polar (oxygen attracts electrons stronger than hydrogen). Water easily dissolves other polar molecules (this helps kidneys function).

What temp does water freeze, melt, boil

0 C, 1 C, 100 C (phase changes- temp stays the same)

Why does temp stay the same during a phase change

Energy is being used to do the phase change, not raise the temp

What differentiates amino acids

R group/side chain

Hydrolysis

Using H2O to break monomers/molecules up

What happens to enzymes after a reaction

They are not changed by the reactions they catalyze, therefore they are reusable.

Chemical reaction

The process of changing one set of chemicals (reactants) into another set (products). Reactants bonds are broken and new ones are formed in the products.

LactASE

breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose

SucrASE

breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose

Amalyse

breaks down starch in your mouth and stomach

LipASE

breaks down ATS

Pepsin

breaks down proteins