Download Chapter 2

Learning Objectives:
(1) Name the chemical elements of the body
and their chemical symbols (abbreviations).
Chapter 2
A Crash
Course in
Biochemistry
from a Local
Medical Lab
(2) Identify the basic four organic compounds
of life (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and
nucleic acids). State their types and functions.
(3) Explain the significance of checking your
blood cholesterol levels. What is involved?
How do you interpret the test(s)?
(4) Explain how atoms and molecules are
constructed.
(5) Discuss the unique significance of ions,
electrolytes and free radicals in the human
body.
Organic Molecules of Life
4 Organic Molecules:
1. __________
2. Carbohydrates
3. Proteins
4. _______ Acids
What do you already know about lipids?
LIPIDS (also known as ____)
Made up of: carbon, hydrogen and ____________
5 types of lipids:
1. Fatty acids – source of energy; precursor to trigycerides
2. Triglycerides – involved in _________ storage, thermal
insulation, and binding and cushioning
_______________.
3. Phospholipids – aids in _______ digestion; component
of cell membranes
4. Eicosanoids - _____________ messengers between
cells
5. Steroids - _______________ (or chemical messengers
between cells)
Carbohydrates (sugars and ___________)
Carbohydrates/ Type
Function
Monosaccharides (simple sugars)
i.e. glucose
_____ sugar; source of energy
Disaccarides (two simple sugars
put together) i.e., sucrose (glucose
+ fructose)
_______ sugar
Polysaccharides (two or more
sugars strung together) i.e., starch
Energy storage in ______; source
of fuel for us
Protein
Type
Function
Amino acid - i.e., alanine
Building blocks of ________
Enzymes – i.e., amylase
Catalyst (amylase digests
_____)
Nucleic Acids
Type
Function
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Hereditary material;
constitutes all _________;
what makes you unique;
located inside a cell’s
________________
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
Carries out instructions in a
cell to make __________
Elements (a pure substance with all the same atoms and molecules) in the Human Body
An element is the __________ form of matter that retains unique
properties. There are ______ naturally occurring elements here on Earth.
Only _____ of these play an essential role in the human body.
Major Elements in the Human Body
Oxygen or ___
Carbon or ___
Hydrogen or _____
Nitrogen or _____
Calcium or ____
Phosphorus or ____
Trace Elements:
Chromium or __
Copper or ___
Iodine or ___
Molybdenum or ___
Silicon or ____
Vanadium or ____
Lesser Elements in the Body:
Sulfur or ____
Potassium or ___
Sodium or ___
Chlorine or ____
Magnesium or ____
Iron or ____
Cobalt or ___
Fluorine or ______
Manganese or _____
Selenium or ____
Tin or _____
Zinc or ___
* Many of these are minerals that are needed by the body (at least 4% of the body’s
weight)
Compounds
Compounds are ___ or more elements put together
Example: Salt = ____________ + ____________________
Atoms
Atoms are the ________________ particle of any element.
Made up of sub-particles:
1. protons which carry a ____ charge
2. neutrons which carry ___ charge
3. electrons which carry a _____ charge
Typically, the number of protons = the number of __________
in a stable atom.
Atoms are held to other atoms by special bonds called _____________ bonds.
A chemical bond is the “glue” that holds two or more atoms together. Also
holds molecules together.
Ions
Ions are _______________ with unequal numbers of
protons and electrons. Ions with __________________
charges (+ or -) are often attracted to one another and will
follow one another through the body.
Sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) which have opposite
charges, demonstrate an ionic attraction for one another.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are _______________ that ionize (or give off)
ions in water like acids, _______________, and salts.
Found in __________ drinks.
Capable of __________ electricity. The electrical current in
the brain, for example, can be measured because
electrolytes found in body fluids conduct electrical currents
from that organ back to the skin’s surface and can be
measured using electrodes.
Free Radicals
Ever heard of a free radical? What are free radicals?
They are very _______________ chemical particles that
typically have an odd number of ____________________ and
are thought of as destructive to your body’s cells.
Examples: meat containing nitrates like bacon, sausage, and hot
dogs. Also meat that is charred on the grill. Note: the burning of
meat & fat on the grill creates polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
which is known to be cancer-causing