Biochemistry
The Chemistry of Life
Basic Chemistry
Element – pure substance that consists
entirely of one type of atom
 Ex. Hydrogen (H), Helium (He)
 It cannot be broken down into simpler
substances
 Found on the Periodic Table

Basic Chemistry
Molecule – substance formed by the
chemical combination of two or more
elements in definite proportions
 Examples: H20, CO2, HCl
 Properties are different than the
elements that make it up

Basic Chemistry
The
BOND
atoms
in a
molecule
are held
together by
CHEMICAL
BONDS
What do the molecules below have in common?
What is different about the molecules?
Organic Molecules
Organic Chemistry - study of carbon
containing compounds
 Contain carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen
(O) and are associated with living things
 EX: C6H12O6 is glucose, an organic
molecule

Macromolecules

Macromolecules – “Giant
molecules” or “biomolecules”
made from smaller molecules


Formed by a process known as
dehydration synthesis, in which
large compounds are built by
joining smaller ones together.
The smaller units, or
monomers, join chemically
together to form polymers.
Macromolecules/Biomolecules

Four groups of macromolecules found in
ALL living things are:
1. Carbohydrates
2. Lipids
3. Proteins
4. Nucleic Acids
Carbohydrates


Carbohydrates - Compounds made up
of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
atoms (C, H, O)
MONOMERS are simple sugars called
monosaccharides


EX) honey, glucose
POLYMERS are complex carbs called
polysaccharides

Ex) potato, pasta, bread, starch,
cellulose
Uses of Carbohydrates

Living things use carbohydrates as:
1. Quick
source of energy (starches and sugars)
2. Plants and some animals also use
carbohydrates for structural purposes
(cellulose)
LIPIDS
 FATS
and OILS – long term
energy storage and insulation
 Butter,
 WAXES
 fruits,
olive oil
– repel or retain water
leaves, stems of plants
LIPIDS
 PHOSPHOLIPIDS
– makes up the
cell membrane of all cells
 STEROIDS
function
– helps to control cell
Structure of Lipids
Made from carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen
atoms
 MONOMERS: Glycerol molecule + 3 fatty
acids
 Not soluble in water

PROTEINS
Proteins - Macromolecules that contain
nitrogen as well as carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen (C, H, O, N)
 MONOMERS are called amino acids (there
are 20 different amino acids)
 POLYMERS are called polypeptides

Functions of Proteins

Each protein has a specific
role.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Some proteins control the
rate of reactions and
regulate cell processes.
Some are used to form
bones and muscles and
other structural molecules.
Others transport substances
into or out of cells
Some help to fight disease.
Nucleic Acids


Nucleic acids - Macromolecules
containing hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,
carbon, and phosphorus (C, H, O, N, P)
Monomers: Made up of repeating units
called nucleotides

Each nucleotide contains:
1.
2.
3.
5-Carbon Sugar
Phosphate Group
Nitrogenous Base
Nucleic Acids

Two Kinds of Nucleic
Acids POLYMERS:
1. Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
 Carries instructions
on how to make
proteins
2. Deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA)
 Carries instructions
that control the
activities of a cell
Nucleic Acids

Function of Nucleic
Acids:
 Store genetic
information
 Transmit genetic
information