I. Biochemistry

A. the study of the chemistry of life

B. atoms: smallest units of matter

1. neutrons

2. protons

3. electrons

C. Common Elements

1. C: Carbon

2. H: Hydrogen

3. O: Oxygen

4. N: Nitrogen

5. S: Sulfur

6. P: Phosphorus

D. Organic compounds contain carbon and hydrogen.

1. (C, H, O, N make up 95% of living systems. C,H,O,N,P,S make up 99%)

II. Four Classes of Organic Compounds

A. Carbohydrates

1. Elements:

a. contain C, H, O (twice as much H as O)

b. example: C₆H₁₂O₆

2. Building blocks: monosaccharides

3. Examples:

a. glucose: blood sugar

b. sucrose: table sugar

c. starch: plant storage molecule

d. glycogen: animal starch

e. cellulose: plant building molecule

4. Function: energy storage, structure

B. Lipids

1. Elements:

a. contain C, H, O (less than a 2:1 ratio of H to O)

2. Building blocks: fatty acids and glycerol

3. Examples:

a. saturated fats: solid at room temperature

b. unsaturated fats: liquid at room temperature

c. triglycerides

d. oil, waxes, steroids

4. Function: energy storage, insulation

 

C. Proteins

1. Elements:

a. contain C, H, O, N, S

2. Building blocks: amino acids

3. Examples:

a. muscle tissue

b. hair, nails, feathers

4. Function: enzymes in biological reactions, structural molecules

D. Nucleic Acids

1. Elements:

a. contain C, H, O, N, P

2. Building blocks: nucleotides

3. Examples:

a. DNA

b. RNA

4. Function: store genetic information

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