Chemistry of Life: Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico 1

CHEMISTRY OF LIFE
Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico
"You are chemistry" - all life develops from and consists

of (bio)chemical processes. Chemistry constitutes the
basis for life. From the first moment and in every
second of our life complex bio-chemical reactions go
on in our body.
THE NATURE OF MOLECULES
ATOMS: make up all matter

Protons (+) and neutrons (0) in nucleus
Electrons (-) in orbits around nucleus
Atomic number = number of protons

Atomic mass = mass of protons + neutrons
Subatomic particles seen indirectly via collisions
Charge Neutral atoms: electron # = proton #
Ions: # of electrons & protons differ
Cation: positive charge, electron(s) lost
Anion: negative charge, electron(s) gained
CHEMICAL BONDS
1. IONIC BOND - atoms donate or receive
electrons from other atoms
Example: NaCl
IONIC BONDING
CHEMICAL BONDS
2. COVALENT BOND - two atoms share one or
more pairs of valence electrons
Example: diatomic hydrogen
Most Frequent Elements Found in Organisms
Element Name
Importance of Element
Oxygen
a. Used in cellular respiration.

b. Component of water.
c. Component of organic molecules
Carbon
a. Backbone of organic molecules
Hydrogen
a. Electron carrier.
b. Component of water.
c. Important component of organic
molecules.
Nitrogen
a. Important component of all proteins.

b.Important component of all nucleic acids.
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Other Important Elements Found in Living Organisms
Element Name
Importance of Element
Calcium
a. Component of bones & teeth.

b. Involved in muscle contraction.
Phosphorus
a. Important component of nucleic acids.

b. Involved in energy transfers within cells.
Iron
a. Component of hemoglobin (in blood).
Sodium
a. Main positive ion outside cells.

b. Important in nerve impulse transmission.
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WATER
Water constitutes two-thirds the mass of
most organisms & 75% earth's surface.
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Importance of Water
1. Coolant: Has high heat of vaporization, aids body
cooling.
2. High specific heat: ( H20 = 1 cal / g / degree C ) bodies of water stay constant temp.
3. Transport: polarity - dissolves many substances.
4. Habitat: Major component of internal (organism) &
external environments
13
Water is highly polar : shape, bond angle allow charge

separation (Oxygen pulls electrons from Hydrogen, creating
slight -2 charge at O end, slight +1 at each H.)
14
Hydrogen Bonding - bond forming betweenthe positive

pole of one water molecule and the negative pole of
another. (The negative O momentarily "sticks" to a nearby
positive H!)
15
Properties of Water
Property
1. Transparency
2. Universal Solvent
3. Cohesion
4. Adhesion
Meaning
Importance of Property
Light passes thru water.
Light reaches
chloroplasts in cells &
aquatic plants.
Many compounds
dissolve in water.
Dissolved compounds
can be brought to
cells (via sap or blood)
or move about cell
cytoplasm.
Water molecules stick

together due to H
bonds.
Small animals may walk

on water.
Water molecules stick to

other molecules.
Capillary action. Water

pulled to top of trees.
16
Properties of Water
Property
5. Heat Capacity
6. High boiling point.

7. Density of Ice
8. Evaporation
Meaning
Importance of Property
Large amounts of energy

are needed to raise
temp of water.
Water bodies have stable

temperatures. Body
temps can be
maintained. Transfer
of heat from warm to
cool body parts.
Much energy needed to

pull water molecules
apart.
In nature, water rarely

boils so life is spared.
Ice is less dense than

water so it floats.
Evaporation (boiling)
requires much
energy.
Ice insulates organisms

living beneath.
Evaporation can cool
warm cells.
17
CHEMICALS OF LIFE
18
Organic Molecules - Any compound

containing C (except CO2 and those
containing CO3).
Hydrocarbon - Any compound with a CH bond.
19
Monomer - building blocks of larger

molecules
Polymers - repeating subunits (monomers)
bonded together
20
Dehydration Synthesis - Reactions to form

most large organic molecules. Molecule of
water removed from bond area as
monomers are linked.
Hydrolysis (Digestion) - Large organic
molecules are broken up. Molecule of water
added to help remove the monomers.
21
Organic Molecules Found in Living

Organisms
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Nucleic Acid
22
CARBOHYDRATES
Carbos = Sugars: C, H, O in 1:2:1
ratio (roughly CH2O)
23
TYPES OF CARBOHYDRATES
MONOSACCHARIDES
DISACCHARIDES
POLYSACCHARIDES
24
MONOSACCHARIDES
simple sugars (The building block of all larger
sugars.)
Examples of Monosaccharides:
a) Glucose - Form of simple sugar used by all
cells. From grapes & honey. (sweet!)
b) Fructose - Fruit sugar (sweet!)
25
26
Glucose and fructose are isomers ( formula the same, but the O is on
different Carbon atoms)
Glucose and galactose are stereoisomers ( OH groups in same spots,
but in 1 spot they are mirror image of ea. other)
27
DISACCHARIDES
Double sugar
Formed by dehydration synthesis (removal of water as the 2
monosaccharides bond)
Examples of Disaccharides:
a) Maltose = glucose + glucose
b) Sucrose (table sugar) = glucose + fructose
c) Lactose (milk sugar) = glucose + galactose
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POLYSACCHARIDES
starches, chains of sugars
Formed by dehydration synthesis (removal of water as all
the monosaccharides bond)
Examples of Polysaccharides:
a) Amylose: simple plant starch
b) Pectins: branched plant starch
c) Glycogen: branched animal starch
d) Cellulose: component of plant cell walls, undigestible by
most organisms, human dietary fiber
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IMPORTANCE OF CARBOHYDRATES
a) Glucose - key metabolic fuel (energy source) of all cells.
b) Animal Starch (Glycogen)- long term energy storage for
animal cells (stores the glucose molecules in a form not easily
used!).
c) Plant Starch (Amylose) - long term energy storage for plant
cells (stores the glucose molecules in a form that is not easily
used!)
d) Cellulose - Structural polysaccharide of cell walls.
e) Chitin - Structural polysaccharide of exoskeletons of insects
and crustaceans.
31
PROTEINS
They are organic molecules consisting of
many amino acids bonded together.
32
AMINO ACIDS
Monomers or building blocks of all
proteins.
33
PARTS OF AMINO ACID

a) Amino group (NH2)
b) Carboxyl group (COOH)
c) R-group: variable- 20 R-groups, so only 20
amino acids.
34
Peptide bonds
Bond formed when 2 or more amino acids bond.
Dipeptide- 2 amino acids joined by peptide bond.

Polypeptide- many amino acids bonded together.
35
Denaturation
protein shape altered with changes in pH,
temperature.
Change in shape alters activity of enzyme.
Enzymes function within a narrow range of
these factors.
36
Functions of Proteins & Named Examples

1) Enzyme catalysis: Enzymes help reactions occur more easily. ExampleAmylase (Converts starch to simple sugar.)
2) Defense: Antibodies - Globular proteins that "recognize" foreign microbes.
3) Transport- Hemoglobin (red blood cell protein).
4) Structure / Support- Collagen, which forms the matrix of skin, ligaments,
tendons and bones.
5) Motion- Actin, a muscle protein responsible for muscle contraction.
6) Regulation- Hormones which serve as intercellular messengers. Example Insulin (blood sugar regulation).
37
LIPIDS
Organic molecules insoluble in water due
to numerous non-polar C-H bonds.
Fats, oils, & waxes
38
Functions of Lipids
1. Energy storage- Fats store glucose energy for
long time periods.
2. Chemical messengers- Steroid hormones
(testosterone & estrogen)
3. Lipid bilayers of cell membranes
39
TYPES OF LIPIDS
Triglycerides (fats)
Phospholipids
Steroids
Terpenes
Prostaglandins
40
glycerol + three fatty acids
They are nonpolar (don't
dissolve well in water). Only
the ends of the fatty acids can
be attracted to water.
They tend to form circular
blobs in water with the
nonpolar glycerol inside, the
fatty parts facing to water.
41
Formation of a Triglyceride via Dehydration Synthesis
Dehydration Reactions (Building of larger molecules) add energy

to organic molecules.
Hydrolysis Reactions (those that tear apart molecules) release
energy from the molecules.
42
Saturated: all single bonds (many C-H bonds), hard, animal fats
Unsaturated: some double bonds (less C-H bonds), liquid, plant
oils
43
Phospholipids
comprise cell membranes, soaps =
glycerol, 2 fatty acids, 1 phosphate
Polar head region faces outward
Non-polar tails face inward
44
Steroids
a) lipid hormones
b) cholesterol
c) vitamins (Vit. D)
45
Terpenes and Prostaglandins

Terpenes - pigments
Prostaglandins - variety of biological
functions
46
NUCLEIC ACID
Hereditary material
47
NUCLEIC ACID
Deoxyribonucleic acid: DNA, master
molecule, stores hereditary information
Ribonucleic acid: RNA, template copy
NUCLEOTIDES - monomers of nucleic acids.
48
Parts of Nucleotide
1. Sugar: 5-carbon ribose
or deoxyribose
2. Phosphate group
3. Nitrogen base
49
DNA Nucleotides
a) Sugar = deoxyribose
b) Double helix form: two intertwined chains (double stranded)
Specific base pairing, complementary
Guanine (G) - Cytosine (C)
Adenine(A) - Thymine (T)
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RNA Nucleotides
a) Sugar = ribose
b) Uracil (U) replaces thymine (T) in RNA
Uracil (U) - Adenine (A)
Guanine (G) - Cytosine (C)
c) Single stranded helix
51
Thank you!
52

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CHEMISTRY OF LIFE

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

"You are chemistry" - all life develops from and consists

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

THE NATURE OF MOLECULES

ATOMS: make up all matter

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Atomic number = number of protons

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Most Frequent Elements Found in Organisms

a. Used in cellular respiration.

a. Backbone of organic molecules

a. Important component of all proteins.

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Other Important Elements Found in Living Organisms

a. Component of bones & teeth.

a. Important component of nucleic acids.

a. Component of hemoglobin (in blood).

a. Main positive ion outside cells.

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Water is highly polar : shape, bond angle allow charge

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Hydrogen Bonding - bond forming betweenthe positive

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Light passes thru water.

Water molecules stick

Small animals may walk

Water molecules stick to

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Capillary action. Water

6. High boiling point.

Large amounts of energy

Water bodies have stable

Much energy needed to

In nature, water rarely

Ice is less dense than

Ice insulates organisms

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Organic Molecules - Any compound

Hydrocarbon - Any compound with a CH bond.

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Monomer - building blocks of larger

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Dehydration Synthesis - Reactions to form

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Organic Molecules Found in Living

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico

Engr. Yvonne Ligaya F. Musico