Download Chapter 2: Chemical Basis of Life

Thibodeau: Anatomy and Physiology, 5/e
Chapter 2: Chemical Basis of Life
It would be difficult to appreciate fully the characteristics of living matter and its functions without looking
at the basic principles of chemistry as they apply to life processes. In fact, it is almost impossible to speak
of either the components or the processes of living things without using the biochemist's terms. For
example, 96% of the human body is made up of just four major elements.
Chemical reactions that hold atoms together do so by forming chemical bonds—these include
ionic (electrovalent) bonds, covalent bonds, and hydrogen bonds. This chapter differentiates synthesis
reactions, decomposition reactions, and exchange reactions.
Organic and inorganic molecules are equally important to the chemistry of living organisms.
Water alone makes up almost 70% of our body weight and has been called the "cradle of life." In addition
to water, other important inorganic substances include oxygen, carbon dioxide, and electrolytes. Chapter 2
also discusses the four major groups of organic molecules for the human body. Finally, the basics of
metabolism are introduced.
Objectives
After students have completed this chapter, they should be able to:
1.
Explain why an understanding of basic chemistry is important in the study of life processes.
2.
Explain the relationship between elements, compounds, atoms, and molecules.
3.
List the major elements and major mineral elements found in cytoplasm.
4.
Discuss atomic structure and explain how an atom's electron shells influence its ability to enter
into chemical reactions.
5.
Compare and contrast the three major types of chemical bonds.
6.
List and describe the three basic types of chemical reactions that occur in living material.
7.
Discuss the properties that make water such an important inorganic molecule in living organisms.
8.
Discuss the concept of pH and its relationship to acids, bases, and salts in the body.
9.
List the four major groups of organic substances in the body and give examples and functions of
specific types in each group.
10.
Distinguish between the four major groups of organic substances by identifying an important
functional group or "building block" unique to each.
11.
Define the term bioenergy and identify the most important of the bioenergy molecules.
12.
Define or explain the following terms or phrases: atomic number, octet rule, isotope, polymer,
electrolyte, polarity, nucleotide, base pair, and high-energy bond.
13.
Describe the structure and function of enzymes.
Lecture Outline
I.
Introduction (p. 35)
II.
Basic Chemistry (p. 36)
A.
Elements and compounds (Table 2-1)
B.
Atoms
1.
Atomic structure (Fig. 2-2)
2.
Atomic number and atomic weight (Fig. 2-1)
Copyright © 2003 Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Chapter 2: Chemical Basis of Life
C.
D.
III.
3.
Electron shells (Figs. 2-2, 2-3, 2-4)
4.
Isotopes (Fig. 2-5)
Interactions between atoms—chemical bonds
1.
Ionic, or electrovalent, bonds (Fig. 2-6)
2.
Covalent bonds (Fig. 2-7)
3.
Hydrogen bonds (Figs. 2-8, 2-9)
Chemical reactions
1.
Synthesis reactions
2.
Decomposition reactions
3.
Exchange reactions
Organic and Inorganic Compounds (p. 43)
A.
Organic molecules
1.
IV.
Functional groups (Fig. 2-10)
Inorganic Molecules (p. 44)
A.
Water
1.
Properties of water (Figs. 2-8, 2-9, 2-10; Table 2-2)
B.
Oxygen and carbon dioxide
C.
Electrolytes
1.
V.
2
Acids and bases
a.
Acids
b.
Bases
c.
pH scale (Fig. 2-12)
2.
Buffers
3.
Salts (Tables 2-1, 2-3)
Organic molecules (macromolecules) (Fig. 2-13; Table 2-4)
A.
B.
C.
Carbohydrates
1.
Monosaccharides (Fig. 2-14)
2.
Disaccharides and polysaccharides (Fig. 2-15)
Proteins (Table 2-5)
1.
Amino acids (Figs. 2-16, 2-17, 2-18)
2.
Levels of protein structure (Fig. 2-19)
a.
Primary
b.
Secondary
c.
Tertiary
d.
Quaternary
Lipids (Table 2-6)
1.
Triglycerides or fats
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Chapter 2: Chemical Basis of Life
D.
VI.
VII.
3
a.
Types of fatty acids (Fig. 2-20)
b.
Formation of triglycerides (Fig 2-21)
2.
Phospholipids (Fig 2-22)
3.
Steroids (Fig. 2-23)
4.
Prostaglandins
Nucleic acids (Table 2-7)
1.
DNA (Fig. 2-24)
2.
RNA
Metabolism (Fig. 2-25)
A.
Catabolism
B.
Anabolism
C.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (Fig. 2-26)
The Big Picture: The Chemical Basis of Life (p. 63)
Copyright © 2003 Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved.