Biochemistry

Organic Compounds

Carbon containing compounds. Important organic compounds in the body are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acid. Mainly covalent bonds.

Inorganic Compounds

Lack carbon and tend to be simpler and smaller molecules.

Water

Makes up 2/3 of our body weight.

High Heat Capacity

Takes longer to heat up and freeze. Causes us to not freeze or heat up quickly.

Polarity/solvent properties

Universal solvent. Breaks down many molecules.

Chemical Reactivity

Helps chemical reactions to break molecules.

Hydrolysis Reaction

When water molecules are added to the bonds of a larger molecule

Cushioning

Serves as a cushion to protect us.

Salts

Contain calcium and phosphorus. Found in bones and teeth.

Dissociation

When salts seperate into their ions when coming into contact with body fluids

Electrolytes

Charged ionic particles that conduct an electrical current in solution.

Acids

Sour taste. Releases hydrogen ions (H+) in detectable amounts. Acids are also known as proton donors.

Strong acids

Ionize completely and free all their protons

Weak Acids

Ionize incompletely

Bases

Bitter. Proton acceptors. Releases hydroxyl ion (OH-)

Neutralization reaction

When acids and bases mix and form water and salt.

PH Scale

Way to test acid and bases strengths.

7       Neutral

14      Basic

0         Acid

Buffers

Kidneys, lungs and chemicals that regulates acids and bases.

Synthesis Reaction

Building of cells through water.

Decomposition Reaction

Decomposition of a cell through the use of water.

Carbohydrates

Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen compound. Contains starches and sugars. Has 2 hydrogen atoms to 1 oxygen atom to 1 carbon atom.

monosaccharides

Simple sugars. Glucose, fructose, galactose, ribose and deoxyribose.

Disaccharides

Double sugar. Formed when two simple sugars combine.

Polysaccharides

Long branching chains of simple sugars. Starch and glycogen.

Lipids

Fats. Insoluble in water.

Neutral Fats

Triglycerides are composed of fatty acids and glycerol. Most abundant and concentrated source of usable energy. Stored in fat deposits.

Phospholipids

Allow cells to decide what may enter or leave the cell.

Steroids

Cholesterol. Four interlocking rings of hydrogen and carbon.

Proteins

Account for over 50% of organic matter in the body.

Amino Acids

Building blocks of proteins. 20 different varieties.

Nucleic Acids

Make up genes for DNA. Direct growth and development. Dictate protein structures.

Nucleotides

Building blocks of Nucleic Acids. Adenine (A) Guanine (g) Cytosine (C) Thymine (T) and Uracil (U) make up the structures.

DNA

Genetic material found within the cell nucleus. Replicates itself exactly before a cell divides and provides the instructions for building every protein in the body.

RNA

Carries out the orders of the DNA.