
Composition of matter and how it
changes

As living things, we require 20 elements
› Most of which are oxygen, carbon, nitrogen,
and hydrogen

Biochemistry: study of chemical
processes related to living things

Atom: individual unit of an element that
still has the element’s properties
› Atoms of different elements are different
from one another
› Protons (+), neutrons, electrons (-)

Bonds: attractions between atoms; due
to sharing or donating of electrons
› Covalent: shared electrons
› Ionic: transfer of electrons
Molecules: more than one atom
 Compounds: more than one type of
atom


Examples:
› Na
› O2
› H2O

Macromolecules: large molecules made
of repeating subunits (AKA polymers)

Made of monomers (smaller molecules,
repeating subunits)

There are different monomers
depending on which atoms are
arranged and how they are arranged
 We
consume the macromolecule, but
it is later broken down into these
smaller monomers to be used in our
body.

Elements: C, H, O in 1:2:1 ratio

Monomer: monosaccharides

Disaccharides (2 mono’s)

Polysaccharides (3/more mono’s)
Bozeman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zm_DyD6FJ0
Sulfuric acid and sugar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOedJgqTT9E
Examples: glucose, fructose, galactose,
maltose, starch
 Functions: energy storage, structural
support in plants
 Foods: sugars, syrups, pasta, candy
cane, candy corn, fruits, vegetables,
bread


Elements: C, H, O, sometimes P

Monomer: fatty acids, glycerol

Examples: triglycerides, phospholipids,
steroids (cholesterol, hormones)
Functions: energy storage (2x as much as
carbs), insulation, shock absorber, cell
membranes
 Foods: oils, butter, cheese, meat


Unsaturated: has double bonds
› Liquid at room temperature

Saturated: no double bonds, completely
saturated with Hydrogen
› Solid at room temperature

Which of these is
healthier?
Elements: C, H, O and N
 Monomer: amino acids (20 types)
 Functions: energy, enzymes, cell
transport, muscular structure, receptors,
antibodies
 Foods: meat, fish, grains, nuts


Dehydration synthesis: building a bigger
molecule; water is removed

Contain chains or rings of carbon

Everything we’ve discussed
› Carbs
› Lipids
› Proteins
› Nucleic Acids (DNA, RNA)
 Structure:
central carbon
 amino group
 carboxyl group (acid)
 R group (side chain)

 variable group
 unique chemical
 properties
of the amino acid

Amino acids are joined by a peptide
bond

The structure/folding of a protein
determines its function.

Amino acid linear sequence
› “Beads on a string”

First stage of folding
› Alpha Helix
› Beta pleated sheet

More folding
› Protein folds in on itself

2 or more units folded together
Protein folding
- Randomly put 15 pins on the tuber
(primary -1)
- Arrange your protein chain into an
alpha helix or beta sheet
(secondary -2)
- Touch red pins with the blue pins and
white pins with the yellow pins
(tertiary - 3)
- tertiary structures bind with one
another (quaternary- 4)