Biochemistry

The stuff that keeps us alive…

Molecular Organization

Atom: basic unit of a chemical element

Element: made of one type of atom

Molecule: 2 or more atoms combined

Cell: Collection of molecules, smallest unit of living organism

6 Essential Elements

C

H

N

O

P

S

Carbon is an element.

• Let’s talk about carbon.

Carbon is an element.

How many protons?

How many neutrons?

How many energy levels?

How many electrons?

6

atomic number

6

atomic mass

2

6

Organic Molecules

• All living things are made of organic molecules.
• Organic molecules are made of those six elements.
• THAT’S EVERY LIVING THING ON EARTH!!!
• Made up of just CHNOPS!
• ALL organic molecules have Carbon and Hydrogen!
• The CH from CHNOPS

Chemical Bonds

• What is a bond?
• Attraction that holds atoms together, resulting in different forms of matter.
• 2 main kinds
• Covalent
• Ionic

Covalent Bonds

• Covalent Bonds – sharing of electrons�

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Covalent Bonding�Characteristics

• Carbon likes to form covalent bonds.
• Covalent bonding is found in organic compounds.
• Covalent bonds are very strong.

Ionic Bonds

• Ionic Bonds – gaining or losing electrons�

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Hydrogen Bonds

• How polar molecules “stick” together
• It is not a chemical bond because the electrons don’t go anywhere and no new substance is formed.

Properties of Water

• Adhesion – water sticks to stuff
• Cohesion – water sticks to itself
• Surface Tension – the top layer of water acts like it has a thin skin
• Capillary Action – water climbs up

Covalent Bonding

H

C

H

H

H

BEFORE

4H + C

Covalent Bonding

AFTER

CH₄ (Methane)

Covalent Bonding is the sharing of electrons between atoms

Question… Turn to your shoulder partner and discuss the following question.�

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• What does organic mean? When do we hear this word?

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Organic vs. Inorganic

• Organic Compounds contain a carbon-hydrogen bond (C₆H₁₂O₆, CH₄)

• Inorganic Compounds do not contain a carbon-hydrogen bond (CO₂, H₂O)

Organic

• Are large, complex compounds containing carbon.
• they are the chemical building blocks(structural componets) of the body
• Examples:
• Carbohydrates
• Proteins
• Lipids
• Nucleic Acids

Inorganic

• are relatively small, simple compounds such as water , salts, simple acids, and simple bases.
• These substances are required for fluid balance and for many cell activities
• Examples:
• Water (H2O)
• CO2
• Potassium Chloride (KCl)
• Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

Carbon

• Remember the element carbon?

• Carbon is the basis of all organic compounds

Carbon can make 4 bonds

Hydrocarbon

• Backbone of all organic compounds
• Composed of carbon chains surrounded by hydrogens

Remember that carbon can make 4 bonds

Building Organic Compounds

Monomers

Polymer

How are monomers similar to links in a chain?

What are some examples of a larger thing made up of repeating smaller pieces?

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What is the Monomer?�What is the Polymer?

Monomers vs. Polymers

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• General Naming for all Macromolecules

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• Monomer = “one” “part” or one unit
• Dimer = “two” “parts” or two units
• Polymer = “many” “parts” or many units
• There are monomers, dimers, and polymers for all organic molecules!

Mono = one

Di = two

poly = many

mer = part

• Dimers are formed when an –OH from one monomer and an –H from the other monomer are removed and a bond forms between the two monomers.
• The –OH and the –H will combine to form what molecule?

Dehydration

Synthesis

• Polymers are formed when an –OH from one monomer and an –H from another monomer are removed and a bond forms between the two monomers. Then, another monomer is combined in the same way. Hundreds of monomers may be added in the same manner.

How Many Water Molecules?

• So, when 2 monomers are linked, 1 water is released.
• When 3 monomers are linked, 2 waters are released.
• When 4 monomers are linked, 3 waters are released.
• How many water molecules would form if 50 monomers were bonded together?

Hydrolysis

• In hydrolysis, a water molecule is added which breaks the bond between two units.
• It is just the opposite of what we just did.

Hydrolysis

How do monomers bond together?

Dehydration Synthesis

Here we have a polymer and a monomer.

Notice that one end of the polymer has an “H” atom and monomer end facing it has an

–OH group.

What do those combine to make?

Dehydration = Water (H2O) is removed

Synthesis = joining together

How does a polymer break down?

Hydrolysis

This polymer has 4 monomers.

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The picture shows one monomer being broken off of the polymer.

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What is being added to break this bond?

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Hydro = water (H2O)

Lysis = break apart

Summary

• Write 3-4 Sentences to summarize the important information from today’s notes in your own words.
• KEY TERMS
• Carbon
• Organic
• Monomer
• Polymer
• Dehydration Synthesis
• Hydrolysis