Topics: Biochemistry, Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration
Bio-Chemistry:
Everything is made up of molecules. Electrons, protons, & neutrons make up ATOMS.
Atoms are put together to make MOLECULES, and several types of molecules make up
a COMPOUND.
 4 Basic Elements of Life:
Charlie Has One Noodle
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
These 4 elements make up the
majority of compounds the body
needs to function.
 Organic vs. Inorganic
o In order for a COMPOUND to ORGANIC it must contain BOTH Carbon &
Hydrogen.
 Exp: Water IS INORGANIC b/c it only contains Hydrogen, no
Carbon.
 What is the most commonly used ORGANIC compound in biology?
 C6 H12 O6
 4 Basic Compounds of Life:
Carbohydrates
 Building Blocks: C6 H12 O6, Glucose = simple Sugar
 Use for Instant ENERGY!!!! (Cellular Respiration)
 Bread, Pasta, Sugars
Lipids
 3 fatty acids and 1 glycerol
 Make up Cell Membrane
Nucleic Acids
 Building Block = Nucleotide
 Makes DNA, RNA
 Found in the nucleus of a cell
Proteins
 Made of Amino Acids
 Make up enzymes, antibodies, hormones, muscles, etc.
 Come from fish, chicken, beans
 Enzymes:
o What is an enzyme?
 An catalyst, something that speeds up or controls a
chemicaaction.
o What is the function of an enzyme?
 The job of an enzyme it to break molecules apart into smaller
pieces such as in hydrolysis, or to put them together into
larger molecules such as in dehydration synthesis.
o Lock & Key Model:
 What effects how an enzyme works? Temperature and pH
Dehydration Synthesis-Build
Glucose + Glucose + Glucose  Starch + Water
Hydrolysis – Break Down
Protein + Water  Amino Acid + Amino Acid + Amino Acid
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Photosynthesis:
 What is the definition of photosynthesis?
o Photosynthesis is the major way the energy of the sun is converted to
sugars which provide for the energy needs of living systems.
o It is combining the inorganic molecules, carbon dioxide and water,
into energy-rich organic compounds such as, glucose and sugar, and
release oxygen to the environment
 What is the equation?
o Carbon dioxide + water  sugar + Oxygen
 What are chloroplasts?
o They are the organelles that carry on photosynthesis
in green plant cells
 What is chlorophyll?
o The chief pigment responsible for
photosynthesis
A Representation of Photosynthesis
The overall process of photosynthesis in a
plant or algal cell is shown in the graphic
below. Plants use water and the energy
provided by sunlight to combine carbon
dioxide into glucose sugar with oxygen
being released as a waste product.
 What is chromatography?
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o Technique where chlorophyll and colored pigments are separated
according to their various chemical charges
Cellular Respiration:
 What is the definition of cellular respiration?
o Cellular respiration is the opposite of photosynthesis.
o Glucose is used to produce high energy storage
molecules known as ATP
o This process occurs in the organelle mitochondria
o Mitochondria are present in both plant and animal cells
o ATP is energy used to carry out metabolic processes
(cell functions)
 What is the equation?
o Sugar + Oxygen  Carbon Dioxide + Water + 36 ATP
 What are mitochondria?
o Organelle present in both plant and animal cells
o Carries out the process of cellular respiration
o The “powerhouse” of the cell
o Any picture of mitochondria will have
a squiggly inner membrane
 What is Aerobic Respiration?
o Making a lot of energy (ATP) using oxygen
 What is Anaerobic Respiration?
o Making a little energy WITHOUT oxygen
 Lactic Acid Fermentation – Anaerobic respiration
When muscles lack oxygen in the cells, lactic acid builds up and
causes cramping.
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