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Distinguish Between Organic and Inorganic Molecules

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Distinguish Between Organic and Inorganic Molecules Basic Biochemistry Objective # 1 Biochemistry is the chemistry of life. Distinguish between organic In this section we will examine the and inorganic molecules. major groups of molecules that make up living organisms along with some of the properties and functions of these molecules. 1 2 Objective 1 Objective 1 Inorganic molecules: Organic molecules: ¾ Relatively small, simple molecules that ¾ Larger, more complex molecules usually lack C (a few have one C atom). whose structure is based on a backbone of C atoms (always contain ¾ Examples: CO , NH , H O, O , H 2 3 2 2 2 C as a major part of their structure). ¾ Examples: C6H12O6, C2H5COOH Living organisms are composed of 3 both inorganic and organic molecules. 4 Objective # 2 Objective 2 Describe the structure of the water Water is a small polar molecule made molecule. List and describe the of one oxygen atom joined to 2 properties of water, and explain hydrogen atoms. why these properties are so Polar means that even though the important to all living organisms. molecule as a whole is neutral, there are localized regions of positive and negative charge due to an unequal sharing of electrons between the atoms of the molecule. 5 6 1 Objective 2 Objective 2 In the water molecule, the oxygen atom has a slight negative charge and the 2 hydrogen atoms have slight positive charges. 7 8 Objective 2, Properties of Water Objective 2, Properties of Water Cohesion Water molecules attract other water molecules Adhesion Water molecules attract other charged substances Surface tension Surface water molecules cling to each other Capillarity Water molecules are drawn up a narrow tube 9 10 Objective 2, Properties of Water Objective 2, Properties of Water High specific A large amount of heat Lower density Below 0oC a regular heat must be absorbed or lost to as a solid crystalline structure change the temp. of water forms High heat of A large amount of heat Dissolves ions Substances attracted to vaporization needed to change water and polar water are called from a liquid to a gas molecules hydrophilic A large amount of heat High heat of Repels Substances repelled by fusion needed to change water water are called from a solid to a liquid nonpolar molecules hydrophobic 11 12 2 Objective # 3 Objective 3 Describe the process of Because of the polar structure of dissociation and be able to water, many ionic and polar substances are pulled apart into oppositely distinguish between acids, bases, charged ions when they dissolve in and salts. water. This is called ionization or dissociation. 13 14 Objective 3, Dissociation of NaCl Objective 3 Substances held together by relatively weak ionic bonds show a large amount of dissociation in water: ¾NaCl → Na+ + Cl- These substances are called salts. Because they are good conductors of electricity, they are also called 15 electrolytes. 16 Objective 3 Objective 3 Substances held together by stronger Substances that increase the [H+] covalent bonds may also show some of a solution when they dissociate dissociation when dissolved in water: are called acids: ¾CH COOH → CH COO- + H+ 3 3 ¾HCl → H+ + Cl- - In fact, water itself undergoes a small Substances that increase the [OH ] amount of dissociation: of a solution when they dissociate + - ¾H2O → H + OH are called bases: + - 17 ¾NaOH → Na + OH 18 3 Objective # 4 Objective 4 pH is used to measure how acidic or basic a solution is: Describe the pH scale and ¾ the pH scale runs from 0 to 14 with 7 know how to use it. being neutral. ¾ the lower below 7, the more acidic a solution is ¾ the higher above 7, the more basic or alkaline a solution is. 19 20 Objective 4, The pH Scale Objective # 5 Explain the role that buffers play in living organisms. 21 22 Objective 5 Objective # 6 A buffer is a substance that helps stabilize the pH of a solution. Identify the characteristics Buffers are important to living of carbon that allow it to organisms because most cells can survive and function only within a play such an important role relatively narrow range of pH. in the chemistry of life. 23 24 4 Objective 6 Objective 6 Carbon has an atomic # of 6. This Carbon rings can join with each other means it has 4 valence electrons. to form interlocking rings or chains of Carbon can form 4 strong covalent rings. bonds with up to 4 other atoms. Carbon can form single, double, or Carbon atoms can form strong triple covalent bonds with other covalent bonds with each other to atoms. produce unbranched chains, branched chains, and rings. 25 26 Objective # 7 Objective 7 Define the following terms and be Large organic molecules are called able to give or recognize examples macromolecules. of each: Macromolecules are formed by joining a) Monomer, dimer, polymer smaller organic molecules called b) Condensation reaction (or subunits, or building bocks, or dehydration synthesis) monomers. c) Hydrolysis reaction When 2 similar or identical monomers are joined we get a dimer. 27 28 Objective 7 Objective 7 When many similar or identical Subunits are joined during a monomers are joined we get a type of reaction called polymer. condensation or dehydration synthesis. An –OH is removed Joining many similar or identical subunits together to form a polymer is from one subnunit, an –H is called polymerization. removed form the other, and H2O is formed: 29 30 5 Objective 7 Objective 7 The reverse reaction is called hydrolysis. It involves breaking a macromolecule into smaller subunits. A molecule of water is added for each subunit that is removed: 31 32 Objective 7 Objective # 8 Describe the structure and functions of each of the following groups of organic compounds. Also be able to identify examples from each group: a) Carbohydrates b) Lipids c) Proteins d) Nucleotide-based compounds 33 34 Objective 8a Objective 8a Carbohydrates are made of monomers Monosaccharides are classified according called simple sugars or monosaccharides. to the number of C atoms they contain: ¾ 3 C = triose e.g. glyceraldehyde Monosaccharides are used for short term ¾ 4 C = tetrose energy storage, and serve as structural ¾ 5 C = pentose e.g. ribose, deoxyribose components of larger organic molecules. ¾ 6 C = hexose e.g. glucose, fructose, galactose They contain C, H, and O in an approximate ratio of 1:2:1. Monosaccharides in living organisms generally have 3C, 5C, or 6C: 35 36 6 Objective 8a Objective 8a When monosaccharides with 5 or more C atoms are dissolved in water (as they always are in living systems) most of the molecules assume a ring shape: 37 38 Objective 8a Objective 8a Two monosaccharides can be joined by condensation to form a disaccharide plus H2O. Many organisms transport sugar within their bodies in the form of disaccharides. 39 40 Objective 8a Objective 8a Polysaccharides consist of many monosaccharides joined by condensation to form long branched or unbranched chain. Some polysaccharides are used to store excess sugars, while others are used as structural materials. 41 42 7 Objective 8a Objective 8a Storage Polysaccharides: ¾ Plants use glucose subunits to make starches, including amylose (unbranched and coiled) and amylopectin (branched). ¾ Animals use glucose subunits to make glycogen which is more extensively branched than amylopectin. 43 44 Objective 8a Objective 8a Structural Polysaccharides: ¾ Cellulose - a long unbranched chain of glucose subunits. It is a major component of plant cell walls. ¾ Chitin - similar to cellulose, but a nitrogen group is added to each glucose. It is found in the exoskeleton of arthropods and cell walls of fungi. 45 46 Objective 8b Objective 8b Lipids are structurally diverse molecules Fats and oils are composed of 2 types that are greasy and insoluble in H2O. of subunits: glycerol and fatty acids. We will examine 3 types of lipids: Glycerol is an alcohol with 3 carbons, ¾ Fats and oils each bearing a hydroxyl group: ¾ Phospholipids ¾ Steroids 47 48 8 Objective 8b Objective 8b A fatty acid has a long hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group at one end. Glycerol + 1 fatty acid = monoglyceride It may be saturated (no double bonds Glycerol + 2 fatty acids = diglyceride between the C atoms of the hydrocarbon Glycerol + 3 fatty acids = triacylglycerol chain), monounsaturated (one double bond), or polyunsaturated (more than (also called a triglyceride or fat.) one double bond). H can be added to unsaturated fatty acids using a process called hydrogenation. 49 50 Objective 8b Objective 8b 51 52 Objective 8b Objective 8b Most animal fats contain saturated fatty Because fats and oils are such acids and tend to be solid at room concentrated sources of energy, temperature. they are often used for long term energy storage. Most plant fats contain unsaturated fatty acids. They tend to be liquid at room In animals, fats also act as temperature, and are called oils. insulators and cushions. 53 54 9 Objective 8b Objective 8b The phosphate and polar groups are In phospholipids, two of the –OH hydrophilic (attracted to water) and are groups on glycerol are joined to fatty referred to as the “polar head” of the acids. The third –OH joins to a molecule. phosphate group which joins, in turn, The hydrocarbon chains of the 2 fatty to another polar group of atoms. acids are hydrophobic (repel water) and are referred to as the “nonpolar tails”. 55 56 Objective 8b Objective 8b In water, phospholipids will spontaneously orient so that the nonpolar tails are shielded from contact with the polar H2O molecules. Phospholipids are major components of cell membranes. 57 58 Objective 8b Objective 8b Steroids are lipids whose principle component is the steroid nucleus: 4 interlocking rings of carbon atoms. Examples: ¾ Cholesterol is a component of animal cell membranes.
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