CHEMICAL BASIS OF

LIFE
Pamoda Dassanayake
Outline

Nature

92 Elements

25
Elements Living
bodies

Other
S, P, Na, K, Most common
Ca, Mg, Fe, Cl C, H, O, N
Cont., Chemical
compounds in
living matter

Organic Inorganic
Carbon Does not
containing contain Carbon

Proteins
Carbohydrates

Main Types of Bio-

molecules Vitamins
Nucleic acids
Lipids
What You Will be Studying..
1. What are the chemical compounds in living matter?
2. Where you can find them?
3. How they are buildup of?
4. What do they do?(Functions)
Carbohydrates
• Most abundant organic compound on earth.
• Produced during photosynthesis.
• Elemental composition
• C, H, O
• H:O = 2:1
• Molecular formula – Cx(H2O)y

Cx(H2O)y
CxH2yOy
If x=6, y=6
C6H12O6
If x=12, y=11
C12H22O11
 Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides Disaccharides Polysaccharides

(C6H12O6) (C12H22O11) (C6H10O5)n
Glucose Maltose Starch
Fructose Sucrose Cellulose
Galactose Lactose Glycogen
Monosaccharides
• Structural unit of carbohydrates
• Simple sugars
• Crystal shaped
• Sweet
• Water soluble
• Ex-
• Glucose
• Fructose
• Galactose
Disaccharides
• Joining of 2 monosaccharides
• Sweet
• Water soluble
• Crystals

• Eg-
• Maltose,
• Sucrose
• Lactose
Polysaccharides
• Many monosaccharides bind together and forms
polysaccharides
• Insoluble in normal water
• Not crystals

Cellulose

Many
Glucose Starch
Molecules
Glycogen
 Energy Storage
Source Compound

Significance of
Carbohydrates

Structural
Nucleic acids
component
Proteins
• Elemental composition: C, H, O, N Sometimes S
• Monomer – Amino acid
 Energy As enzymes
Source

Significance of
Proteins
As
hormones

As
antibodies

Structural
component
Enzymes
• Made up of proteins
• Produces within organisms
• Increases the rate of bio-chemical reactions
Enzymes in the
digestive tract
• Sucrose Glucose + Fructose
Lipids
• Fats and oils
• Fats  Solid @ RT
• Oils  Liquid @ RT
• Elemental composition- C, H, O
• Less O comparing to Carbohydrates
• Insoluble in polar solvents( water)
• Soluble in organic solvents
• Formation of lipids
 Conservation
of water
Energy
Source Maintain
body
temperature

Significance of
Lipids

Protect
internal body
Synthesize organs
some
Hormones
Structural
component
Nucleic acids
• Most important in genetical aspect
• Linear polymer made out of nucleotides.
• Elemental composition : C, H, O, N, P
• Two types
• DNA
• RNA
• Deoxy ribo Nucleic Acid
• Made up of Deoxy ribo Nucleotides
• Transfer genetic characteristics from generation to generation.
• Ribo Nucleic Acid
• Made up of Ribo Nucleotides
• Synthesis of proteins
 Storage of genetic Transferring
information genetic
Mainly DNA information
In some viruses RNA

Protein
Significance of synthesis
Nucleic Acids

Variations
lead to
evolution
Controlling
cellular
activities
Water
• A simple molecule
• Most abundant inorganic compound- 2/3rd of a living body
• Life originated in water
 A coolant
A good solvent

Specific properties
of water

Differential
High cohesive
expansion in
and adhesive
freezing
force
Minerals
• Macro elements – Needed in high amounts
• Trace elements- Needed in less amounts
• 7% of body weight 3/4th Ca, P
• K, Fe, Mg, Cu, I also important.
K Deficiencies in Animals
Na Deficiencies in Animals
Mg Deficiencies in Animals

Metabolic activities-
Activities where energy is
produced and used in cells
Ca Deficiencies in Animals
P Deficiencies in Animals
Fe Deficiencies in Animals
I Deficiencies in Animals
N deficiency in plants
P Deficiency in plants
K Deficiency in plants
Fe Deficiency in plants
Ca Deficiency in plants
Zn Deficiency in plants
S Deficiency in plants
Vitamins

Vitamins

Water insoluble
Water soluble / Fat soluble
B, C K, A, D, E
Vitamin A deficiency symptoms
Vitamin B Deficiency symptoms
Vitamin C Deficiency symptoms
Vitamin D Deficiency symptoms
Vitamin E Deficiency symptoms
Vitamin K Deficiency symptoms
Starch test
Test for Glucose

Benedict’s
solution
Water
bath

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt7RCIfudYQ
Test for Sucrose

Dil. H2SO4 Benedict’s

solution

Water bath
Test for Proteins/ Biurette test
Few drops
NaOH of CuSO4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufec89A47uM
Test for lipids/ Sudan III

Sudan III
Reagent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=cF7D1l4sNUg
Starch Amylase test
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsOs3v8Z-P4
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wkuUwA4bdA
Water as a constituent of food
Anhydrous Anhydrous
Cobalt Chloride Copper Sulphate
Grind (Blue) (White)

Cobalt Chloride + Copper sulphate

Water + Water
(Pink) (Blue)
Presence of Carbon in bio-molecules

Grind

Rub
against a
white paper
Heat
well
Presence of Nitrogen in bio molecules
Add water
Crush Mix
Filter

NaOH
CuSO4 Equal
few drops amount

Purple
colour
Assignment
1. Prepare a short note / table explaining practical tests
related to unit-01
Should contain following practical tests
1. Test for starch
2. Test for glucose
3. Test for sucrose
4. Test for proteins
5. Test for lipids
6. Test for water
7. Test for carbon
8. Activity of amylase on starch.