Biochemistry
Biology – Chapter 6
EOC Goal 2
Outline of Notes
1. Basic Chemistry
– Review of atomic structure and
composition of compounds
2. Biochemistry
– Introduction to chemicals involved in
biological processes
– Comparison of biological macromolecules
Basic Chemistry
Basic Chemistry
• Atoms are the basic unit of matter.
– Made of:
• Protons
• Neutrons
• Electrons
Basic Chemistry
• Elements are pure substances that are
made of one type of atom.
• Chemical symbols are used to represent
each atom.
– Found on the Periodic Table
Basic Chemistry
• Compounds are combinations of 2 or
more atoms.
– Combination has different properties than
the individual atoms
– Chemical formula shows the number and
type of atoms in a compound
Basic Chemistry
• Compounds are held together with
chemical bonds.
• Types of Bonds:
– Ionic Bonds
• Exchange electrons
• Called ions
– Covalent Bonds
• Share electrons
• Called molecules
Quick Write
1.Name three particles all atoms have in
common
2.Name two particles located in the
nucleus of an atom.
3.Name one thing that would remain
constant if electrons were taken away or
added to an atom?
Basic Chemistry
• Acids, Bases, and pH
– Acids  make hydrogen ion in water; are bitter to
the taste
• Examples: lemon juice, vinegar, stomach acid
– Bases  make hydroxide ion in water; are slippery
to the touch
• Examples: soaps, Clorox, Pepto Bismol
– pH Scale (0-14)  scale that measures acid and
base
– Buffer: used to maintain a certain pH.
acid
0 -6.9999
basic
7
neutral
7 7 -14
Compounds Important to Life
• Inorganic compounds: derived from
nonliving things ex. Water (most
import.)
• Organic Compounds: derived from living
things and contains carbon ex. Sugar, fats
Biochemistry
• Study of the chemicals necessary for
living things.
• Also called organic chemistry.
– Involves the element carbon (C) in a covalent
bond with Hydrogen
Biochemistry
• Six elements needed in large quantities
for living things are:
– Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen,
phosphorus, and sulfur
• Elements needed in small quantities are
called trace elements.
Biochemistry
• Terms to Know:
– Monomer – the smallest unit of a substance
• Example: like one Lego block
– Polymer – many monomers linked together to
make a large structure; also called
macromolecules
• Example: Lego blocks put
together to make a
Lego house
Biochemistry
• Types of Organic Molecules
(Macromolecules)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acids
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates
(subunit: monosaccharides)
• Also called sugars and starches
• To test for the presence of each..
•
Sugar >Benedict’s Solution
•
Starch >Iodine (Lugol’s Solution)
• Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a
1:2:1 ratio (Example: C6H12O6)
• Typically end in –ose (Example: glucose)
• Function: to store and release quick energy
(but if not used, these are stored as fat)
Carbohydrates
• One unit of sugar (monomer )
monosaccharide
– Example: glucose, fructose
• Two units of sugar 
Disaccharide
– Example: sucrose, lactose
• Many units of sugars (polymer) 
Polysaccharide
Carbohydrates
• Examples of Polysaccharides
– Starch  sugars in plants
– Glycogen  energy storage in animal muscle
(makes muscle meat dark)
– Cellulose  found in plant cell walls;
animals can not digest (roughage)
– Chitin  in insect exoskeletons
Lipids
Lipids
(subunit: Fatty Acid)
• Commonly called fats, oils, and waxes
• To test for the presence of Lipids use…
•
>Brown Paper Bag or Sudan III/IV
• Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a nonspecific ratio (Example: C21H17O43)
• Function:
– Quick energy (twice as much as carbs)
– Cell membranes
– Insulation and Body padding
Lipids
• Monomer  glycerol and 3 fatty acids
Lipids
• Types of Lipids (Fats)
– Saturated – bonds in molecule are
unbendable; tend to clog arteries; typically
from animals (fats, butter, lard)
– Unsaturated – some bonds in molecule bend;
better, but can still clog arteries; typically
from plants (oils)
– Polyunsaturated – many bonds in molecule
bend; best type of fat to eat; typically from
plants (oils)
Proteins
Proteins
(subunit: amino acids)
• Composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen,
nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur
• To test for the presence of Proteins
• Proteins >Biuret Solution
• Monomer  amino acids
• Polymer  polypeptide
• Account for 50% of the dry weight of
cells
• There are 20 common amino acids
Proteins
• Functions of Proteins
– Cell movement
– Fibers in bone, tendons, ligaments, and
cartilage
– Homeostasis regulation (hormones and
enzymes)
– Defense against disease (antibodies)
Proteins
• Enzymes are special proteins that speed up
chemical reactions in the body.
• Enzymes end in –ase ex. Catalase (breakdown hydrogen
peroxide)
(breaks into two new
products)
Nucleic Acids
Nucleic Acids
(subunit: Nucleotide)
• Made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen,
nitrogen, and phosphorus
• Function  control genetic information
• Monomer  Nucleotide
• Polymers  nucleic acid
– DNA  deoxyribonucleic acid (genetic info.)
– RNA  ribonucleic acid (directs protein
building)
Nucleotides: Sugar, Phosphate, and Base
Macromolecule
Carbohydrate
Subunit
Examples
Starch, cellulose,
Monosaccharide glycogen, glucose
Proteins
Amino
acids
Lipids
Fatty acids
& glycerol
Nucleic Acids Nucleotide
Enzymes,
hemoglobin
insulin
Fats, oils
DNA, RNA
Function
Store and
release
energy
Structure,
metabolism
Long term energy
storage, insulation
Store genetic
information
Make Protein
Test Used To Identify
• Carbohydrates
•
Sugar > Benedict's Solution
•
Starch >Iodine (Lugol’s Solution)
• Proteins > Biuret Solution
• Lipids > Brown Paper Bag (Spot test)
•
or Sudan III