chemistry of life

Question 1

characteristics of life

Answer 1

1. organisms consist of cells
2. organisms grow and develop
3. organism regulate metabolic processes (homeostasis)
4. organisms react to stimuli
5. organsims reproduce

Question 2

organic compounds
structure

Answer 2

1. contain large number of carbon atoms
2. origin in living organsims
3. complex
4. can combust in oxygen

Question 3

inorganic compounds
structure

Answer 3

1. have no living origin
2. dont contain c-atoms ( exceptions CO2, CO )
3. simple
4. do not combust in oxygen

Question 4

water (inorganic compound)

Answer 4

• 70% of our bodies
• source of oxygen we inhale
• solvent for reactions
• habitat for diff organisms
• polar molecule
• forms strong hydrogen bonds = cohosion + adhesion forces
• hydrophilic vs hydrophobic

Question 5

hyrdophylic

Answer 5

substances that react readily with water/ water-soluble

Question 6

hydrophobic

Answer 6

substances that do not dissolve in water

Question 7

macronutrients

Answer 7

minerals we need in large quantities daily (C, H, O, N, P, S, Ca, Mg)

Question 8

micronutrients

Answer 8

equally important but needed in small quantities (Fe, Na, I)

Question 9

carbohydrates (organic compunds)

macromolecule

Answer 9

• sugar, starch and cellulose are sources of energy for cells
• contain C, H & O

Question 10

types of carbohydrates

Answer 10

1. Monosaccharides
   - 3-7 c-atoms
   - 3C: tritose sugar
   - 5C: pentose sugar
   - 6C: hexose sugar
2. Disaccharides
   - 2 x monosaccharides
   - glucose + glucose = maltose
   - glucose + fructose = sucrose
   - glucose + galactose = lactose
3. Polysaccharides
   - macromolecule that has thosands of interconnected monomers
   - starch (stored in plants), glycogen (stored in animal muscle and liver cellls), cellulose (in plant cell wall which gives strength and support to plant cells)

Question 11

Fats + Oils (lipids)

macromolecule

Answer 11

• insoluble in water
• made of glycerol and fatty oils
• stored under skin as insulation against cold and in a form of reserve energy
• arent healthy and can lead to cardiovascular diseases

Question 12

Proteins

Macromolecule

Answer 12

• made of amino acids
• function:
• Enzymes
• cell membrane ( structural role, growth, maintenance and repair of cells)
• transport
• reserve energy

Question 13

Types of proteins

Answer 13

1. amino acids
   - 20 diff types
   - binded by peptide bonds (2 form a dipeptide, 3 form a tripeptide)
   - low temp makes them inactive
2. enzymes
   - are biological catalysts ( start or accerlerate biochemical reactions)
   - they are pH and temp specific ( high temp denature, low temp inactive)
   - optimal temp is 37
   - lock and key mechanisms
3. nucleic acides
   - genetic information
   - determines proteins needed ( DNA, RNA)

Question 14

vitamins + minerals

macromolecule

Answer 14

• are organic compounds essential for normal metabolic reactions
• needed in small quantities
• divided into fat-soluble (A,D,E +K) and water-soluble (B+C)

Question 15

Food tests