CHEMICAL BASIS OF LIFE
electrons between atoms
Basic Chemistry
Chemistry- concerned with atomic composition and
structure of substances and the reactions they
undergo
Matter, Mass, and Weight
Matter- anything that occupies space and has mass
Mass- amount of matter in an object; kilogram
Weight- gravitational force acting on an object
Elements and Atoms
Element- simplest type of matter having unique
properties
Atom- smallest particle of an element
Atomic Structure
Protons- positive charges
Neutrons- no electrical charge
Electrons- negative charges
Nucleus- fromed by protons and neutrons
Electron cloud- where the electrons most likely to be
found
Atomic number- number of proton in each atom
Mass number- number of protons + number of
neutrons
Electrons and Chemical Bonding
Chemical Bonding- electrons are transferred or
shared between atoms
Ionic bond- electrons are transferred
Covalent bond- electrons are shared
Polar covalent bond- unequal, asymmetrical
sharing of electrons
Polar molecules- molecules with asymmetrical
electrical charge
Nonpolar covalent bond- equal sharing of
Nonpolar molecule- molecules with
symmetrical electrical charge
Hydrogen Bonds
❖ Weak attraction between oppositely
charged regions of popular molecules
Molecules and Compounds
Molecules- two or more atoms that are
chemically combined
Compound- two or more different types of
atoms that are chemically combined
Dissociation
❖ Seperation of ions in an ionic
compound by polar water molecules
Electrolytes- dissociated ions
Classification of Chemical Rxns
1. Synthesis- combination of reactants
2. Decomposition- breakdown of larger
reactants
3. Exchange- decomposition = synthesis
Anabolism- synthesis rxns that occur in the body
Catabolism- decomposition rnxs in the body
Metabolism- anabolic = catabolic rxns in the body
Reversible Rxns
❖ Reactants can form products, products can
form reactants
Energy and Chemical Rxns
Energy- capacity to do work
Potential energy- stored energy
Kinetic energy- energy caused by movement
Chemical energy- form of potential energy stored in
chemical bonds
Rate of Chemical Rxns (RCCT)
1. Reactant
2. Concentration
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 3. Catalysts (increase the rate of chem rxns ❖ Glucose- blood sugar
without itself being permanently changed or ❖ Fructose- fruit sugar
depleted)
4. Temperature Disaccharides- 2 monosaccharides

Acids and Bases ❖ Sucrose- table sugar

Acid- proton donor
Base- proton acceptor
The pH Scale
▪ Indicates the H+ concentration of a solution
❖ Neutral- equal no. of H+ and OH-; pH of 7.0
❖ Acidic- H+> OH- ;pH less than 7.0
❖ Basic- H+ > OH- ; pH greater than 7.0
7.35-7.45- normal pH range of blood
Acidosis- blood pH drops below 7.35
Alkalosis- blood pH rises above 7.45
Salts
❖ Forms when an acid reacts with a base
Buffer
❖ Chemicals that resist changes in pH
Inorganic Molecules
Polysaccharides- many monosaccharides
❖ Glycogen- animal starch
o Plant starch
o Cellulose
Lipids
❖ Substances that dissolve in non polar
solvents
❖ CHO + P + N
Fats- important energy-storage molecules; pad and
insulate the body
Glycerol & Fatty Acid- building blocks of fats
Triglycerides- most common type of fat molecule
Saturated Fatty Acid- single covalent bond (ex: beef,
pork, whole milk, cheese, butter, eggs, coconut oil,
palm oil)

❖ Do not contain Carbon Unsaturated Fatty Acid- one or more double

covalent bonds
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
Oxygen- involved with the extraction of Mono-unsaturated fats- double covalent bonds
energy from food molecules between carbon (ex: eloive and peanut oil)
Carbon dioxide- by-product of the
breakdown of food molecules Polyunsaturated fats- two or more double
Water covalent bonds (ex: safflower,sunflower,fish oils)
1. Stabilizing bidy temperature
2. Protection; lubricant/cushion Trans fats- unsaturated fats that have been altered
3. Facilitating chemical reactions by addition of H atoms
4. Transporting substances
Phospholipids- phosphorus containing molecules
Organic Molecules Hydrophilic- water loving; polar end of
molecules are attratracted to water
❖ Carbon containing
Hydrophobic- water fearing; non polar end is
Carbohydrates
repelled by water
❖ CHO
Eicosanoids- important chemicals derived
Monosaccharide- smallest carbohydrates; simple form fatty acids; important regulatory
sugar
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 molecules ❖ Important organic malecule
❖ Stores and provides energy
Prostaglandins- regulates secretion of
hormones, blood clotting, and some
reproductive function

Steroids- carbon atoms in four ring-like

structures

Cholesterol- important steroid because

steroid molecules are synthesized from it;
important component of cell membranes
Proteins
❖ CHON + S
❖ Regulate chemical reactions
❖ Cause muscle contraction
❖ Serve as structural components

Amino Acid- building blocks of proteins

(amine group, carboxyl group, 20 basic types:
12 simple org.molecule, 8 obtained in diet)

Denaturation- change in shape caused by

abnormally high temperature or change in pH

Enzymes- protein catalysts; lower the

activation energy

Activation energy- energy needed to start a

chem rxn
Lock-and-key model- the shape of an enzyme
and those of the reactant allow the enzymes
to bind easily to the reactants
Nucleic Acids: DNA + RNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)- genetic material of
cells

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)- important role in gene

expression/ protein synthesis

Nucleic acid- large molecules composed of CHONP

Nucleotides- basic building blocks of DNA + RNA

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

❖ Energy currency of cells

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