Chemical Composition in a Cell

 
We will learn about the chemical composition which are water, carbohydrates, protein, lipids, and nucleic aci
 
1. Cells are composed of elements.
2. Most common elements found in the cell are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.
3. The elements made important compounds in the cell; carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and

4.1 Water
 

1. Consists of elements such as hydrogen and oxygen.

2. Polar molecule.

 
Properties of water and its importance in a cell:
 
Properties Descriptions and its importance
 Inorganic compound consisting of the hydrogen(H) and oxygen(
 Polar molecules: shared electrons between oxygen (more electr
Polarity of water
 Produces hydrogen bonds and allows water to act as a universal

 Water molecules are attached to each other through a cohesive f

 Water molecules attached to other surfaces through adhesive for
Cohesive force and adhesive force
of water  Both forces produce a the capillary action which allows water to
spaces.Ex: xylem tube.

 Water has a high specific heat capacity of 4.2 kJ kg-1 °C-1 .

 4.2 kJ of heat energy is required to raise the temperature of one k
Specific heat capacity  Water absorbs a lot of heat energy with a small rise of temperatu
 Maintain body temperature of organisms.

4.2 Carbohydrates
 

1. Consists of elements such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

2. Several types of carbohydrates such as monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.

 
Monosaccharides
 
  The monomer of carbohydrates.
 Example: glucose, fructose and galactose.

 
 
Disaccharides
 
 Consists of two monosaccharides linked together through condensation.
 Disaccharide molecule can be broken down into monosaccharide through hydrolysis.

 
  Disaccharide   Monomer
Maltose Glucose + glucose
Sucrose Glucose + fructose
Lactose   Glucose + galactose  
 
 
Polysaccharides
 
 The polymer of carbohydrates.
 Linked through condensation reactions of monomers to form a long chain of molecules.
 Example: starch, glycogen and cellulose.

 
 

4.3 Proteins
 
1. Consists of elements: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.
2. Some contain phosphorus.
3. The monomer of proteins is an amino acid.
4. Two molecules of amino acids are linked through condensation, by forming a peptide bond, which k
5. The polymer of proteins is a polypeptide.
6. The polypeptide can be broken down into amino acids through hydrolysis.
7. Have several levels; primary (linear), secondary (pleated, helix), tertiary (3D-shaped) and quartern
structures).

4.4 Lipids
 
1. Consists of elements: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
  2. The ratio of element hydrogen is much higher compared to carbohydrates.

  
 Fats and oils
 
 Triglycerides (3 fatty acids and 1 glycerol).
 Each molecule of the fatty acid consists of a long hydrocarbon chain.
 Fatty acids can be either saturated (single bond carbon atoms) or unsaturated (one or more double b
 Example of saturated fats: red meat, animal fats and butter.
 Example of unsaturated fats: vegetable oils, olive oil and soybean oil.

 
Waxes
   
 Long-chained molecules.
 Waterproof.
 
 Found on the cuticle of leaves and in the sebum.

   
Phospholipids
 
 Main components of the plasma membrane.
 Controls the permeability of the plasma membrane.
 Consists of a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails.

 
Steroids
 
 Raw material to synthesis vitamin, cholesterol and sex hormones.

 
 

4.5 Nucleic Acids

 
1. Found in DNA and RNA.
2. A genetic material.
3. Basic unit: nucleotide.
4. Each nucleotide consists of a phosphate group, a pentose sugar and a nitrogenous base.
5. Nitrogenous base in DNA: adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine.
6. Nitrogenous base in RNA: adenine, guanine, cytosine and uracil.