Unit 1 Lesson 2 Chemistry of Life

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Unit 1 Lesson 2 Chemistry of Life

It’s Elementary
What are atoms and molecules?
• All cells (and all matter) are made up of atoms
and molecules.

• An element is a substance that cannot be broken

down into a simpler substance.

• The smallest unit of an element that maintains the

properties of that element is called an atom.

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Unit 1 Lesson 2 Chemistry of Life

What are atoms and molecules?

• What are the six main elements that make up the
human body?

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Unit 1 Lesson 2 Chemistry of Life

What are atoms and molecules?

• A molecule is a group of atoms held together by
chemical bonds.

• Some molecules are made up of only one type of

atom.

• Most molecules are made up of two or more types

of atoms.

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Unit 1 Lesson 2 Chemistry of Life

What are atoms and molecules?

• A compound is a substance made up of atoms of
two or more elements joined by chemical bonds.

• Most molecules found in cells are compounds.

• Compounds have different properties than the

elements that make them.

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Unit 1 Lesson 2 Chemistry of Life

Cell Fuel
What are some important types of
molecules in cells?
• Organisms use nutrients for energy and as
building materials.

• A lipid is a fat molecule or a molecule that has

similar properties. Lipids have many jobs in cells,
such as storing energy.

• Your cells get lipids from foods such as olive oil

and fish.

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Lipids structures
Unit 1 Lesson 2 Chemistry of Life

What are some important types of

molecules in cells?
• A protein is a molecule made up of smaller
molecules called amino acids.

• Protein-rich foods are broken down into amino

acids, which make new proteins to build and
repair body structures.

• Proteins called enzymes help chemical processes

happen in cells.

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Unit 1 Lesson 2 Chemistry of Life

What are some important types of

molecules in cells?
• Carbohydrates are molecules that include
sugars, starches, and fiber.

• Cells use carbohydrates for energy and energy

storage.

• Simple carbohydrates are made of one or a few

sugars linked together. Complex carbohydrates
contain many sugar molecules linked together.

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Unit 1 Lesson 2 Chemistry of Life

What are some important types of

molecules in cells?
• Nucleic acids are molecules that carry
information in cells.

• Nucleotides are the smaller molecules that make

up nucleic acids.

• DNA is a nucleic acid that carries information that

cells need to make other molecules.

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Unit 1 Lesson 2 Chemistry of Life

Waterworks
What are phospholipids?
• A lipid that contains phosphorus is called a
phospholipid.

• The head of a phospholipid molecule is attracted

to water. The tail repels water.

• Much of a cell’s membrane is made of a double-

layer of phospholipids, which regulates molecules
entering and leaving the cell.

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Unit 1 Lesson 2 Chemistry of Life

What are phospholipids?

• What causes a cell membrane to have a double-
layer structure?

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Unit 1 Lesson 2 Chemistry of Life

Why is water important?

• Water moves through a cell membrane by a

process called osmosis.

• Water moves into and out of a cell, from areas of

higher concentration to areas of lower
concentration.

• Too little water in a cell causes it to shrink.

• Too much water in a cell causes it to burst.

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