bio 2 chapter NSMO

Cell Chemistry

Major elements of Living matter

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen

Primary elements of Living matter (Macro elements)

Calcium, Sulfur, Magnesium, Potassium and Phosphorus

Secondary elements of Living matter (Micro elements)

Iron, Aluminum, Chlorine, Zinc, Iodine, Boron, Manganese and Sodium

The cells of living organisms are composed of compounds that contain carbon in their structure called

Organic matter, these compounds are known as macromolecules, and they include: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids

Carbohydrate importance

Serving as a source of energy

Monosacchides

single molecule (C₆H₁₂O₆) such as glucose and fructose

Disaccharides

formed by joining two monosaccharide molecules through the removal of a water molecule (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁), such as sucrose and lactose

Polysaccharides

composed of many monosaccharide units ((C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ), such as glycogen, starch, and cellulose

Main characteristics of monosaccharides and disaccharides

They can pass through cell membranes, and they dissolve in water

Structure of lipids

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen

Importance of lipids

Energy storage and protection

Components of lipids

Fatty acids and glycerol

Saturated fats

Solid, contain single bonds between carbon atoms — e.g., animal fats

Unsaturated

Liquid, contain double bonds between carbon atoms — e.g., vegetable oils

Protein Structure

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen

Protein importance

Building tissues, transporting substances between cells, accelerating chemical reactions, and transmitting signals within the cell

Protein components

Made up of 20 different amino acids linked together by peptide bonds to form proteins

Enzymes

Special types of proteins that act as catalysts for chemical reactions in the body. They lower the activation energy required for the reaction and are not consumed during the process. Examples: salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase

Nucleic acid structure

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphate

Nucleic acid function

Storage and transmission of genetic information

Nucleic acid components

A pentose sugar, a nitrogenous base, and a phosphate group

Nucleotide

The basic unit of nucleic acids, composed of a phosphate group, a nitrogenous base, and a ribose sugar