Topic 4: Chemical Composition Base – removes H+ from a solution & is
a proton acceptor; dissociates into one
All forms of matter whether living or
nonliving are made up of chemical
elements – simplest form of matter.
There 26 chemical elements present in
the human body.
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen
– major elements of elements constitute
(96%)
Lesser elements (3.8%) include
calcium, phosphorus, potassium,
magnesium, sulfur.
Inorganic Compounds
Oxygen – nonpolar inorganic molecule
consisting of two oxygen atoms held
together by a double covalent bond;
essential for most living organisms since
they require O2 for respiration
Carbon Dioxide – one carbon atom
bound to two oxygen atoms; produced
as a waste product of metabolism, from
cells during exhalation
Water – one atom of oxygen joined by
polar covalent bonds to two atoms of
hydrogen; an excellent solvent for other
ionic substance due to polarity;
important to health and survival as it can
dissolve substances ideal for metabolic
reactions; it enables reactant to combine
to form products or dissolves waste
products; has the ability to stabilize body
temperatures
Acids – proton donor that dissociates
into one or more hydrogen ions (H+)
and one or more anion [e.g. hydrochloric
acid (HCl)] in the stomach
or more hydroxide ions (OH-) [e.g.
sodium hydroxide (NAOH) dissociate to
form sodium (Na+) and hydroxide (OH-)
ions
Salts – consisting of a positive ion other
than H+ and a negative ion other than
OH- [e.g. hydrochloric acid combines
with sodium hydroxide forms NaCl]; are
electrolytes that are important for
carrying electrical currents
Buffers – resists changes in pH when
an acid or a base is added to a solution
containing it; may either add or remove
(H+); important in maintaining the acid-
base balance of fluid inside or outside
the cells; carbonic acid-bicarbonate
buffer system – one important buffer
system
Organic Compounds
Carbohydrates – consists of elements
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; a ratio of
roughly one carbon atom to one water
molecule; empirical formula CH2O;
defined as polyhydroxy aldehydes
(carbonyl C - last one in the chain) and
ketones (carbonyl C is internal to the
chain, carbons on both sides of it);
source of chemical energy to humans;
2:1 (C6H12O6) ratio of hydrogen to
carbon
3 Major Groups:
 Monosaccharide – simple
sugar [glucose, fructose]
 Disaccharide – double
sugar [ sucrose, lactose]
 Polysaccharide –
complex sugar [glycogen
(liver), starch and
cellulose]
Fats/Lipids – contain carbon, hydrogen,
and oxygen that are hydrophobic -
insoluble in water but dissolve in non-
polar solvents [e.g. acetone, alcohol];
energy storage molecules; insulate and
act as cushion to body organs; glycerol
and fatty acids are its unit structure
Types of Lipids
 Triglycerides (fats)
 Phospholipids
 Sterols

Proteins – polymers of 20 different

amino acids consist of a carbon atom (a
carbon) bonded to a carboxyl group
(COO-), an amino acid group (NH3+), a
hydrogen atom, and a distinctive side
chain; serves as structural components
of cells and tissues collagen fibers, and
contracting units of the muscle – actin &
myosin; transport and storage of small
molecules [transport of oxygen by
hemoglobin]; transmitting information
between cells [hormones]; providing a
defense against infection [antibodies];
fundamental property is to act as
enzymes to catalyze nearly all chemical
reactions in biological systems

Nucleic Acids – building blocks of

nucleotides; DNA & RNA as principal
informational molecules of the cell
Deoxyribonucleic Acid – has
role as genetic material wherein
eukaryotic cells is located in the
nucleus; contains purines (adenine and
guanine) and two pyrimidine (cytosine
and thymine)
Ribonucleic Acid – protein
synthesis; has 3 types – mRNA carries
information from DNA to ribosomes and
serves as template for protein synthesis;
contains adenine, guanine, cytosine and
uracil (instead of thymine)