What is Organic
Chemistry?
The study of hydrocarbons =
Compounds of hydrogen and carbon
7 million Organic Compounds
= Animals and plants, Foods, Clothing
Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Fertilizers,
Plastics, Petrochemicals (Oil+gas+coal)
The Versatile Carbon Atom
• Carbon has 4 electrons in outer shell
• Can form a bond with four other molecules
Carbon is
45% of a
plants dry
weight
Glucose is a sugar
made during
photosynthesis
PHOTOSYNTHESIS makes Sugar
RESPIRATION burns Sugar
ORGANIC MOLECULES
• Organic Molecules all contain
CARBON + HYDROGEN
• Molecules include:
–CARBOHYDRATES
–LIPIDS
–PROTEINS
–NUCLEIC ACIDS
CARBOHYDRATES
• SUGARS = Fuel for cells
• ALCOHOLS = sugars with an -OH
• STARCH = plant energy storage
• CELLULOSE = plant structure +
support
• GLYCOGEN = short term animal
energy storage
Monosaccharides =
Simple sugars
Theses molecules
are linear when
dry
Or as Rings when
hydrated
Their Chemical
Formulas
CARBOHYDRATES = C+H
2 Monosaccharides are joined together by
Enzymes to make a Disaccharide
Sugar (natural + artificial) Sweetness Chart
Cellulose
for plant
structures
Sugars for energy
Starches are long chains of glucose
Cellulose are also long chains of glucose, but every
other glucose is linked upside down, making it
stronger and digestible only by microbes
"Mutual beneficial" relationship of termiteprotozoa goes back 100 million years
Similarly, inside the cow
forestomach, there are millions
of bacteria, protozoa, and fungi
which produce enzymes capable
of breaking down cellulose.
Lignin and Phenolics are also Complex Carbohydrates
About 25- 35% of wood is Lignin (from xylem 2’ walls)
Flavonoids can be
pigments, but have
many other
functions. Some
are released by
plant roots (like
peas) to help
symbiotic N-fixing
bacteria to find +
enter the roots.
Flavanoids are also
known as antioxidants
The Carbon Cycle
LIPIDS
What are Lipids?
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Lipids are Fats, Oils, Waxes, Steroids
FATS are : Glycerol + 3 Fatty Acids
Lipids are HYDROPHOBIC
Not very soluble (dissolvable) in water
Three types: (generally)
• Triglycerides – energy storage
• Phospholipids -membranes
• Sterols - hormones
Phospholipids make up the
lipid bilayer of membranes.
They are made of glycerol
(an alcohol) + 3 fatty acids
(long carbon chains)
Phospholipids have 2 carbon chains + a phosphate “head”
Phospholipids are what all cell membranes and most cell
compartments are made from. They are like “magical
walls” and semi-permiable.
Phospholipids, waxes, and steroids are
lipids with a variety of functions
• Phospholipids are a major component of cell
membranes
• Waxes form waterproof coatings
• Steroids
are often
hormones
Figure 3.9
Foxglove flowers have a
potent hormone that
speeds up the heart rate
and is a strong medicine.
PROTEINS
Protein Functions
(Why are proteins important in foods?)
• Structural: tendons, ligaments
• CONTRACTILE : muscles
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Enzymes: control chemical reactions
Hormones (some are lipids too)
Antibodies: immune function
Blood proteins: Fluid balance
Membranes: transport functions
Source of energy
Protein in foods
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meats, poultry, and fish
legumes (dry beans and peas)
tofu
eggs
nuts and seeds
milk and milk products
grains, some vegetables, and some fruits (provide
only small amounts of protein relative to other
sources)
There are 20 “essential” amino acids.
They combine to make proteins.
Recommended Dietary
Allowance for Protein
Grams of protein needed each day
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Children ages 1 – 3
Children ages 4 – 8
Children ages 9 – 13
Girls ages 14 – 18
Boys ages 14 – 18
Women ages 19 – 70+
Men ages 19 – 70+
13
19
34
46
52
46
56
Amino Acids have both an AMINO Group +
a CARBOXYL Group attached to a Carbon
Your 20 Amino Acids Chemical Structures.
Only the R-branch off the carbon center is different.
Proteins all have unique functions,
determined by their shapes.
Enzymes are
proteins that
catalyze
chemical
reactions in cells
Each has a unique
3-D shape,
defined by its
amino acid chain
DNA is made of
NUCLIOTIDES
NUCLEOTIDES: a phosphate group
+ sugar + base (with nitrogen)
DNA is the
reference copy
of genetic
information
stored in the
cells nucleus
RNA is a
message copy
of the DNA
used to make
proteins in the
cell.
DNA is made of
Nucleotides.
Nucleotides are
made of a sugar,
phosphate group,
and a nitrogen
containing base.
The “base” is the
genetic alphabet,
and the sugar
and phosphate
group are the
“backbone ”
DNA
DNA
The “base” letters
A T C and G
are the genetic
alphabet.
Sugars and
phosphate groups
bind the ATCG’s
together to make
DNA and the
chromosomes
ATP is a high
energy
nucleotide that
is the energy
currency of a
cell.
Ultimately, all
glucose is
broken down to
produce ATP.
Alkaloids are plant secondary
compounds, that chemically are similar to
proteins and nucleotides
Review: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins + Nucleic Acids
Overview of Digestion
Metabolism
• How can we get energy from foods
we eat?
• And all the stuff we need for our
bodies to grow and function?
• Through the food metabolism, we
breakdown and rearrange organic
molecules!
Food Energy = Calories
• Calorie
– Energy needed to
raise 1 g by 1 ºC
• Food is in kcal
There are 20 “essential” amino acids.
They combine to make proteins.
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/
SuperTracker/myplan.aspx