Chemistry In
Anatomy
Atoms, Elements,
and Compounds
Matter

All living things are made of matter

Matter has mass and takes up space

Atoms are the building blocks of matter
What do we call different types of
Elements
atoms?

A substance that can’t be broken down
into simpler chemical substances
The Structure of the Atom
Nucleus

Protons and Neutrons
Electron Clouds or orbitals

Electrons
The Nucleus

The Atomic Number of an atom = the
number of protons

The Atomic Mass =The number of protons
+ the number of neutrons
The Periodic Table
Organizes all of the known elements
Atomic Number
Oxygen
8
Atomic Mass
15.999
The major element’s of living
organisms
Page 31 in your book
C, H, O, N make up 90% of the human
body.
How are atoms structured?
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Nucleus = protons and neutrons.
Orbitals/electron cloud = electrons
The number of protons = the atomic
number
The number or electrons = the atomic
number.
Compounds
Elements can combine to form compounds
 A pure substance made of 2 or more
different elements combined
Examples:
Water = H2O
Carbon dioxide = CO2
Glucose = C6H12O6

Acids, Bases, and pH
acid—a substance that donates hydrogen
ions, H+, to form hydronium ions, H3O+,
when dissolved in water.
-taste sour
-turn blue litmus paper red
-corrode metal
-conduct electricity when dissolved in water

Bases
a substance that either contains hydroxide
ions, OH-, or reacts with water to form
hydroxide ions.
-bitter taste
-slippery
-conduct electricity
-turns red litmus paper blue
-very dangerous if not dilute

Measuring acids and bases

pH—a measure of the hydronium ion
concentration in a solution

enzymes in your body work in a narrow pH
range

an abnormal pH is a sign of health
problems
pH

Values range from 0-14
-neutral solutions are 7
-acids 0-7
-bases 7-14
The Building Blocks
of Life
Macromolecules
Basic Biochemistry Terminology

Monomer = single unit which makes
up a larger molecule

Polymer = Long chain of repeating
monomers
The Four Macromolecules
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Carbohydrates
Lipids
Nucleic Acids
Proteins
Carbohydrates
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Monomer =
monosaccharide
(glucose)
Polymer = polysaccharide
Quick energy source for
production of ATP
Source = breads, pasta,
sweets.
Complex or Simple
Carbohydrates
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Carbon, hydrogen, and 1. Monosaccharide –
oxygen
fructose & glucose
1:2:1 ratio of elements
2. Disaccharide – two
Carbohydrates are
monosaccahrides bonded
sugars
– sucrose
Used for Energy
3. Polysaccharide – many
Cellulose – Plant walls
monosaccahrides bonded
Chitin – Insect shells,
– starch, glycogen,
fungus bodies
cellulose
Lipids

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Monomer = triglyceride
Polymer = steroid,
phospholipid
Lipids used for long term
energy storage
Steroids = chemical
messenger
Phospholipid =cell
membrane
Lipids
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Composed of Carbon and hydrogen
Waxes, Fats and oils
Nonpolar - Insoluble in water
Used for energy storage, insulation, and
protective coverings
Major component of membranes
surrounding cells called a phospholipid
Steroids – cholesterol and hormones
Nucleic Acids
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Complex macromolecule that stores cellular
information in the form of a code.
Composed of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen,
phosphorus, and hydrogen
Polymer made of smaller units called
nucleotides

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Nucleotides contain a nitrogen base, a sugar, and
a phosphate group
2 types
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DNA – Deoxyribonucleic Acid
RNA – Ribonucleic Acid
Proteins

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Monomer = amino
acids
Polymer = polypeptide
Main component of
most tissues and cells
in the body
Source = meats, dairy,
peanuts, soy
Proteins

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Essential to all life – the primary building
block of life
Large complex polymer composed of
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and
usually sulfur
Amino Acids are the building blocks

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20 common amino acids
2nd major component of cell membranes
Reactions between biomolecules

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Synthesis reaction –
formation of bond
between monomers
stores energy (ie.
Dehydration synthesis)
Decomposition reaction –
breaking of bond releases
stored energy (ie.
Hydrolysis)
Types of energy

Kinetic – energy of motion

Potential – energy which is stored/has not yet
been applied

In the body, potential energy is stored as glucose
molecule
Kinetic energy is when that glucose molecule is
used to form ATP, and perform work in the cell

Calories/Kilocalories
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Measure of the amount
of energy in a food
Can be used by the
body to perform work
If not used, is stored by
the body as glycogen,
or eventually fat
Enzymes – Special Proteins

Chemical reactions require specific
temperature and environmental
requirements that are often not found in the
human body

An enzyme enables molecules called
substrates, to undergo a chemical change
to form a new substance
Enzymes Features
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Enzymes speed up chemical reactions but
do not take place in the reaction and are not
changed by the reaction.
Do not make a reaction occur that would not
occur on its own
Enzymes are reusable
Enzymes are specific to their substrate
Energy of Reactions

Activation Energy – the minimum amount of
energy needed to cause a reaction to
happen

Enzymes lower the activation energy of
many reactions that take place in the body
Types of Enzymes

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Amylase – Breaks down sugars
Catalase – breaks down hydrogen peroxide
in the blood and in cells
DNA polymerase – helps to make copies of
DNA
Lactase – Breaks down lactose (milk
sugars) in the digestive tract
The Lock and Key Mechanism of
Enzymes
 Factors
such as pH, temperature, and other
substances affect enzyme activity
Carbohydrates

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What: Sugars
Elements: C, H, O
3 classes: Monosaccharides
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Disaccharides
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Ex.) Sucrose
Polysaccharides
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Ex.) Glucose, fructose
Ex.) Cellulose, starch
Function: Energy
Nucleic Acids
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What they do: Store and transmit
genetic information.
Elements: C, N, O, P, H
Subunit: Nucleotide
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Nitrogen base
Sugar
Phosphate group
Ex.) DNA & RNA
Lipids
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What: Waxes, Fats, Oils
Elements: C, H
Function: Stores energy, protective
layers, insulation
1st major component of cell membranes
Examples: Hormones, cholesterol.
Proteins
Essential to all life.
 Made up of amino acids.
 Elements: C, H, O, N and sometimes S
 Function: Building block of life
 2nd major component of cell
membranes
 Example: enzymes

Diffusion

random movement of particles from an
area of higher concentration to an area of
lower concentration resulting in an even
distribution.
Dynamic Equilibrium

result of diffusion where there is continuous
movement of particles but no overall
change in concentration.