Chapter 2 – The Chemistry of Life

Atoms = basic unit of matter•Made up of: oprotons (+)oneutrons (Ø)oelectrons (-)

Chemistry is what makes up life, so we need to know what makes up chemistry

The next step up from atoms are elements = a pure substance that consists of just one type of atom

More than _____ elements are known, but only about 24 are common

The _____________ is used to organize elements

100

periodic table

A chemical compound = a substance formed by the chemical combo of 2 or more elements

Chemical formula = the shorthand for the chemical composition of a compound Ex. H2O

A compound can have very different properties than the elements that make it up

NaCl

Because of its electron structure, carbon can bond with many other elements

Carbon can also easily bond with itself; it can form very long chains and even rings

Carbon is an important element; it is the basis for ________ chemistry and many common compoundsorganic

Macromolecules form through polymerization – small pieces come together to make larger ones

Macromolecule = a giant molecule made up of many

smaller molecules

Monomers = the smaller units

Polymers = the larger resulting unit

There are 4 groups of organic compounds found in living things: carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.

Carbs Lipids Nucleic Acids Proteins

What are their jobs?

•Source of energy for living things•Monosaccharides – small units•Polysaccharides – larger units•Ex. Glucose•Ex. Cellulose

•Not soluble in water•Help store energy•Ex. Fats•Ex. Oils•Ex. Waxes

•Made up of 3 part nucleotide1. 5-carbon sugar 2. 2. phosphate

group3. nitrogen base•Contains genetic info•2 types: RNA & DNA

•Made up of amino acids•20 different amino acidsJobs: •Builds muscles/bones•Control reaction rates

Chemistry makes up life, but it is also what life does

Chemical reaction = the process that changes/transforms one set of chemicals into another Mass and energy are

conserved in reactions

Reactions always involve changes in the chemical bonds that join the atoms or compounds

Reactants = the elements or compounds that the reaction begins with

Products = the elements or compounds produced by the reaction

What reaction is this?

What are the products?

What are the reactants?

Enzymes = proteins that act as catalysts

They speed up reactions that take place

They are very specific, usually only catalyzing 1 reaction

in cells

Catalyst = a substance that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction