BIOCHEMISTRY November 9, 2016
Four elements found in living things are: CHON
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen
Elements form molecules.
Inorganic molecules do NOT contain carbon and
hydrogen together ex. Water, (H2O) salt (NaCl),
CO2
ORGANIC molecules contain Carbon and Hydrogen
together
ORGANIC MOLECULES: Carbohydrates, Proteins,
Nucleic Acids , Lipids
CARBOHYDRATES (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen)
Sugars or Starches
Supply Energy for our body (cell respiration/ ATP
synthesis)
Building Blocks – monosaccharides, simple sugars,
Glucose, C6H12O6
Ratio of H to O are 2:1
Two monosaccharides are called disaccharides.
They are synthesized by the process dehydration
synthesis (remove water to make a larger
molecule)
Starches are polysaccharides (3 or more
monosaccharides)
Starch stored in plants.
Cellulose stored in cell wall of plants.
Glycogen starch stored in animal cells.
LIPIDS (FATS) Organic Molecules
Elements – carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
Examples are – fats, oils, waxes
Building blocks – 3 fatty acids and 1 glycerol
Dehydration Synthesis combines 3 fatty acids and
1 glycerol into a lipid molecule.
Functions:
Make up the cell or plasma membrane
SOME hormones are lipids
Reserve energy supply.