Chemistry & Biochemistry

Terminology Matter – Anything that takes up space & has

mass. Mass – Quantity of matter Weight – The pull of gravity on the mass of an

object. Elements – Pure substances that cannot be

broken down chemically into simpler kinds of matter.

Atom – Smallest unit of matter.

Terminology, continued…. Subatomic particles.

Electron Neutron Proton

Compound: Two or more elements chemically combined.

Bonds Covalent – shares electrons Ionic – based on electrical

attraction

Qualities of a Compound They are all made of 2 or more elements. They are chemically bonded. They have a definite ratio.

More terms… Atomic number: The number of protons Mass number: Number of proton &

neutrons.

Periodic Table

Mixtures Combined substances that DO retain their

original properties. Three types:

Solution: Made of solute & solvent; do not come out of solution.

Suspension: Settle out over time Colloid: Two states

Sol state - liquid Gel state - gel

Acids & Bases Acidity:

Measurement of the amount of hydrogen ions.

Alkalinity: Measurement of the amount of hydroxide ions.

Organic vs. Inorganic Compounds Organic - generally derived from living

things and contain carbon. Inorganic – generally derived from non-

living things. FOUR MAJOR GROUPS

Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids

Water Properties of Water

Cohesion – Attraction between like molecules. Adhesion – Attraction of water molecules to the

molecules of a solid surface. Water is polar (unevenly charged)

Oxygen has a slight negative charge. Hydrogen has a slight positive charge.

Polymers vs. Monomers Polymers: compounds consisting of

repeating linked units. Monomers: Simple molecules composing

each unit of a polymer. Macromolecule: A large polymer

Dehydration synthesis Condensation

Reaction Monomers link to

form a polymer; water is removed.

Hydrolysis A polymer

splits to form two monomers when water is added

Carbohydrates C, H, O (2 hydrogen atoms to 1 oxygen)

Monosaccharides (simple sugars) Fructose, glucose, galactose

Disaccharides (double sugars) Lactose, sucrose, maltose

Polysaccharides (complex sugars) Starch, cellulose, glycogen (animal starch)

Sugars Glucose, fructose, & galactose – C6H12O6

Isomers – same molecular formula, but different properties.

Sucrose, lactose, & maltose – C12H22O11

HOW CAN THIS BE??

Functional Groups Clusters of atoms that influence the

properties of the molecule. Types

Hydroxyl –OH (alcohols) Amino group – NH2

Sulfhydryl group – SH Phosphate group – H3PO4

Carboxyl group - COOH

Lipids Function:

Barrier between aqueous environments inside & outside the cell.

Cell Membrane Energy storage

Fats Protective Coverings

Waxes Insulation

Fats

Lipids, continued…. Fatty Acids: Monomers

that make up most lipids. Composed of a long, straight

hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group

Carboxyl group: Hydrophilic, “water loving”

Hydrocarbon chain: Hydrophobic, “water fearing”

Types of Lipids Triglycerides

Fats – Solid at room temperature

Oil – Liquid at room temperature

Waxes Steroids

Cholesterol is an example Doesn’t contain fatty acids

Proteins Account for more than 50% of the dry weight of

the cell Structural support Storage Transport Signaling Movement Defense Increase the speed of chemical reactions.

Proteins, continued…. Amino Acids –

monomers of proteins

Amino acids are always in this form

Types of Proteins Dipeptides: Two amino acids bonded

together. Polypeptides: A long chain of amino acids Enzymes: Proteins that act as catalysts in

intermediary metabolism Catalyst: Substances that speed up chemical

reactions without being affected by the reactions themselves.

Nucleic Acids Complex organic compounds that store

important information in the cell. Nucleotides – monomers of nucleic acids

Types of Nucleic Acids DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid

Stores information important for all cell activities Sugar: deoxyribose

RNA: ribonucleic acid Transfers information essential for making

proteins Sugar: ribose

Chart provided…Polymer Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids

Monomer(s) Monosaccharides Fatty Acids Amino Acids Nucleotides

Elements

Present

C,H,O C,H,O,P C,H,O,N C,H,O,N,P

1ST

Function

Energy Protection Structure Contain hereditary information

2nd

Function

Structure Energy, Insulation

Speed up chemical

rxtn.

Transfer info. for protien synthesis

Examples Glucose, sucrose,

starch, etc.

Fats, oils, waxes, steroids

Dipeptide, polypeptide,

enzymes

DNA, RNA