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Biochemistry
Module 2
Inorganic vs. Organic
 There are 6 essential elements for living things:
Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen,
Phosphorus, and Sulfur (CHNOPS)
 Elements combine to make molecules.
 Molecules are either inorganic or organic:
 Inorganic – do not contain the element carbon
 Ex. H2O, NaCl, H2SO4
 Organic – contain the element carbon
 Ex. C6H12O6, CH4
Acids and Bases
Inorganic Compounds contain acids and bases:
 Measured on a pH scale
Acids
Neutral
Bases
1
7
14
 Living things regulate their internal environment to
maintain homeostasis – a constant internal environment
 Living things have buffers in their cells to help regulate pH
Organic Compounds – The Core 4
 Carbohydrates
Elements
C, H,O
Monomer / Monosaccharide
Subunit
Function
Short term energy, Structural
material
Examples
Sugar, Starch, Cellulose, Glycogen
Carbohydrates
Organic Compounds – The Core 4
 Lipids
Elements
C, H,O
Monomer / Glycerol and fatty acids
Subunit
Function
Long term energy, insulation,
component of cell membrane
Examples
Fats, oils, waxes
Lipids
Organic Compounds – The Core 4
 Nucleic Acids
Elements
C, H,O, N, P
Monomer / Nucleotide
Subunit
Function
Controls all cellular activities
Examples
DNA, RNA
Nucleic Acids
Organic Compounds – The Core 4
 Proteins
Elements
C, H,O, N, P, S
Monomer / Amino Acid
Subunit
Function
Basic building material for life
Examples
Hormones, antibodies, pigments,
enzymes
Proteins
Enzymes: A special type of protein
 Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical
reactions in cells of living things.
 Enzymes do this by lowering the activation energy needed
for the reaction to occur.
Enzyme Mediated Pathway
Enzymes may put substances together (synthesis)
OR may break them apart (decomposition)
Substrate
Enzyme
Products
Enzyme – Substrate
complex
Enzyme Function
 Enzymes fit with their substrates like a lock and key
 If an enzyme loses its shape, it will not fit!
 An enzyme losing its shape is called denaturing.
Characteristics of Enzymes
Enzymes are:
 Specific – one enzyme, one substrate
 Reusable – not used up in a reaction