ANAT1101 Module 2 Chemistry of Life

Elements

• Pure substances that cannot be broken down.

• It consists of particles called atoms.

Molecules

Chemical combinations of two or more elements.

Compounds

Combination of two or more different elements.

Atoms

Contains:

• Nucleus

  • It contains: protons and neutrons.

• Outer shells (or rings)

  • It contains: electrons.

  • It can hold a maximum number of electrons.

  • Atoms is stable when the outermost shell is full.

    • It is achieved by donating, accepting, or sharing electrons.

Protons

• It is inside the nucleus of an atom.

• It carry a positive charge.

Neutron

• It is inside the nucleus of an atom.

• It carries no charge.

Electron

• It is on the outer shell of an atom.

• It carries a negative charge.

Ionic Bond

• It is when an electron transfers to the outer shell of one atom to another.

• The positively charged ion is attracted to the negatively charged ion, forming an ionic bond.

Cation

A positive charged ion.

Anion

A negative charge ion.

Ionization

It is the process by which ionic bonds break and release ions capable of conducting electricity.

Electrolytes

These are compounds that ionize in water to produce ions that can conduct electricity.

Covalent Bonds

• It is formed when atoms share one or more pair of electrons.

  • Electrons are shared so that each element has a full shell.

• It is stronger than ionic bonds.

Energy

• It is needed by the body to function.

• It is stored in bonds of molecules.

  • Breaking bonds releases energy.

  • Forming bonds requires energy.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions that occur within the body to maintain life, including the conversion of food into energy.

Catabolism

• It is the breaking of bonds.

• It releases energy.

  • Some energy released as heat while some are transferred to ATP for storage.

Anabolism

• It is the building of new bonds.

• It requires energy.

  • The energy is obtained from the ATP.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

• It is the body’s storage molecule for energy.

• It consists of a base, sugar, and a three phosphate groups.

  • Phosphate groups are connected with high-energy bonds.

    • Breaking one of these bonds releases energy.

    • Energy from nutrients is used to reattach the broken bonds.

Organic Compounds

• It contains carbon.

Four Major Groups:

1. Carbohydrates

2. Lipids

3. Proteins

4. Nucleic Acids

Inorganic Compound

It includes:

• Water

• Oxygen

• Carbon Dioxide

• Acids and Bases

Solution

It is a mixture of a solvent and solute.

Solute

It is the substance that is being dissolved.

Solvent

It is the fluid within a substance dissolves.

Acids

• These are substances that releases hydrogen ion (H+) when dissolved in water.

• If the pH scale is less than 7.

Bases

• It is a substance that can accept a hydrogen ion (H+) from another substance.

• If the pH scale is more than 7.

Carbohydrates

• It is made up of saccharides/sugars.

• It is the body’s main energy source.

• It is broken down into glucose.

  • Bonds in glucose broken down to release energy.

  • If glucose is not immediately broken down, it is stored as glycogen.

Lipids

• It is made up of fatty acids and glycerol.

• It provide structure to cells (make up cell membrane)

• It is a reserve energy supply.

• It cushions organs.

Protein

• It is made up of amino acids.

• The structure and metabolic functions of every cell depends on proteins.

Nucleic Acid

• It is made up of base, sugar, and phosphate.

• It stores genetic information and energy.

Important nucleic acids in the body:

• DNA

• RNA

• ATP