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Biochemistry
Biochemistry
CHEMISTRY OF LIFE
NEUTRON NEUTRAL
ELECTRON -
• Electrons are not present within the atom,
instead THEY REVOLVE AROUND THE
NUCELUS OF THE ATOM & FORM THE
ELECTRON CLOUD
• Draw a helium atom. Indicate where the
protons, neutrons and electrons are.
NEUTRONS
PROTONS
- ATOMIC # = 2 (PROTONS)
+ +
ELECTRONS - ATOMIC MASS = 4
(PROTONS &
NEUTRONS)
ISOTOPES
• atoms of the same element that HAVE A
DIFFERENT NUMBER OF NEUTRONS
• Some isotopes are radioactive. This means
that their nuclei is unstable and will break
down at a CONSTANT RATE over time.
• There are several practical uses for
radioactive isotopes:
1. CARBON DATING
2. TRACERS
3. KILL BACTERIA / CANCER CELLS
COMPOUNDS
• a substance formed by the chemical
combination of 2 or more elements in definite
proportions
– Ex: water, salt, glucose, carbon dioxide
• The cell is a COMPLEX CHEMICAL
FACTORY containing some of the same
elements found in the nonliving
environment.
SHARING IS CARING!
MIXTURES
• Water is not always pure. It is often found as
part of a mixture.
• A mixture is a material composed of TWO OR
MORE ELEMENTS OR COMPOUNDS THAT
ARE PHYSICALLY MIXED
– Ex: salt & pepper mixed, sugar and sand – can be
easily separated
SOLUTION
Two parts:
• SOLUTE – SUBSTANCE THAT IS BEING
DISSOLVED (SUGAR / SALT)
• SOLVENT - the substance in which the solute
dissolves
• Materials that do not dissolve are known as
SUSPENSIONS.
– Blood is the most common example of a
suspension.
– Cells & other particles remain in suspension.
FORMULA
• The chemical symbols and numbers that
compose a compound ("recipe")
• Structural Formula – Line drawings of the
compound that shows the elements in
proportion and how they are bonded
• Molecular Formula – the ACTUAL
formula for a compound
C2H6O
ACIDS & BASES
• Acids: always (almost) begin with "H" because
of the excess of H+ ions (hydrogen)
– Ex: lemon juice (6), stomach acid (1.5), acid rain
(4.5), normal rain (6)
Facts about Acids
• Acids turn litmus paper BLUE and usually
taste SOUR.
• You eat acids daily (coffee, vinegar, soda,
spicy foods, etc…)
ACIDS & BASES
• Bases: always (almost) end with -OH because
of the excess of hydroxide ions (Oxygen &
Hydrogen)
– EX: oven cleaner, bleach, ammonia, sea water,
blood, pure water
Facts about Bases
• Bases turn litmus BLUE.
• Bases usually feel SLIPPERY to touch and taste
BITTER.
Neutralization Reactions
• Ranges from 0 to 14
• 0 – 5 strong acid
• 6-7 neutral
• 8-14 strong base
• The goal of the body is to maintain
HOMEOSTASIS (neutrality) – to do this when
pH is concerned, we add weak acids & bases to
prevent sharp changes in pH.
enzyme
substrate -------------> product
"Lock and Key Theory"
• each enzyme is specific for one and ONLY one
substrate (one lock - one key)
• this theory has many weaknesses, but it
explains some basic things about enzyme
function
Factors Influencing Rate of
Enzyme Action
1. pH - the optimum (best) in most living things is
close to 7 (neutral)
• high or low pH levels usually slow enzyme activity
• A few enzymes (such as gastric protease) work
best at a pH of about 2.0
2. Temperature - strongly influences enzyme
activity
• optimum temperature for maximum enzyme
function is usually about 35-40 C.
• reactions proceed slowly below optimal
temperatures
• above 45 C most enzymes are denatured
(change in their shape so the enzyme active site
no longer fits with the substrate and the enzyme
can't function)
3. Concentrations of Enzyme and Substrate
• ** When there is a fixed amount of enzyme and
an excess of substrate molecules -- the rate of
reaction will increase to a point and then level
off.