Download BIOCHEM NOTES

Biochemistry Notes
I. Inorganic compunds
• Non-carbon-based molecules
• Ex: ammonia (NH3)
water (H2O)
II. Organic molecules
• Carbon-based molecules
• Ex: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids,
nucleic acids (DNA, RNA)
III. Carbon
• Most molecules of cells are carbonbased
• “Biomolecules” are made of a backbone
of carbon atoms
• Carbon has 4 valence electrons and
can form 4 covalent bonds
• Carbon can also bond easily with other
carbon atoms
CARBOHYDRATES
FOODS
- Plant-based
- Bread, cereal, rice, potatoes, corn, candy
ELEMENTS
C H O
Always in 1:2:1 ratio
Ex: C6H12O6
FUNCTION
- Energy
- Structure in plants
- Fiber
SMALL
UNITS
-“Monosaccharides” like glucose
- “Disaccharides like table sugar
LARGE
UNITS
- “Polysaccharides” like starch, glycogen, and cellulose
OTHER
- People cannot digest cellulose so we call it “FIBER”
PROTEINS
FOODS
-Meat
- Soybeans/tofu
- Nuts
ELEMENTS
C H O N
FUNCTION
- Build muscle
- Immune system
SMALL
UNITS
-Amino Acids
- 20 essential
LARGE
UNITS
- Polypeptides, made of many amino acids
OTHER
- “Denaturing”: protein bends out of shape and can not function
any more
- Speed up chemical reactions
- Insulin
LIPIDS
FOODS
- Lard
- Red meat
- Olive oil
- Salad dressings
- Other: wax, red meat
ELEMENTS
C H O
Little oxygen
FUNCTION
- Long-term energy storage
- Waterproofing/insulation
SMALL
UNITS
- Fats: 1 glycerol + 3 fatty acids
- Some liquid @ room temp. “unsaturated fats”
- Some solid @ room temp. “saturated fats”
LARGE
UNITS
-Steroids: 4 fused-ring structures
- Make hormones
- Ex: cholesterol
OTHER
- Lipids do NOT mix with water
- Cholesterol can build up in arteries causing disease or heart
attacks
- Cell membrane
- Hormones