Unit C Section 1.3 Flashcards
Composition of the human body:
water, proteins, fats, sugars, starch, DNA, minerals, vitamins, salts, acids, and bases
Our bodies need about 25 elements for normal growth
Elements together make up the complex molecules that form:
sugar, starch, fat, oil, wax, and proteins.
Why are complex molecules called ORGANIC COMPOUNDS?
Because these complex molecules contain carbon,
What are inorganic compounds:
Substances that do not contain carbon
ex.Baking soda and the mineral quartz
Characteristics of organic molecules :
Organic molecules can be very large and complex.
Nutrients
Nutrients are elements and compounds that organisms need for living, growing, and reproducing.
What nutrients do plants obtain?
- Plants obtain the nutrients carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from air and water.
- They obtain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sulfur from the soil.
What are macronutrients?
Nutrients that are needed in large amounts
What are micronutrients?
Nutrients in which small amounts are needed
-Elements such as selenium are also essential for plant and animal but it is needed in small amounts
Importance of Nitrogen (N):
Plants
- Composition of proteins and chlorophyll
* Leaf and stem growth
Importance of Phosphorous (P):
Plants
- Root and flower growth
* Cellular respiration and photosynthesis
Importance of Potassium (K):
Plants
- Stimulation of early growth
- Starch and protein production and sugar movement
- Disease resistance
- Chlorophyll production and tuber formation
Importance of Magnesium (Mg):
Plants
- Composition of chlorophyll structure
* Photosynthesis
Importance of Calcium (Ca):
Plants
- Cell wall structure
* Cell division
Importance of Sulfur (S):
Plants
• Production of fruits and grains
Importance of Nitrogen (N):
Animals
- Composition of proteins and nucleic acids found in all cells
- Growth and repair of tissues
- Composition of bones, teeth, and
Importance of Phosphorous (P):
Animals
- Composition of bones, teeth, and DNA
* Many metabolic reactions
Importance of Potassium (K):
Animals
• Muscle contraction and nerve impulses
Importance of Magnesium (Mg):
Animals
- Composition of bones and teeth
* Absorption of calcium and potassium
Importance of Calcium (Ca):
Animals
- Composition of bones and teeth
- Blood clotting
- Muscle and nerve function
Importance of Sulfur (S):
Animals
- Protein synthesis
- Enzyme activation
- Detoxification
optimum amounts
Just the right amount (not too much or less)
The optimum amount of a substance is the amount
that provides an organism with the best health
selenium
The micronutrient selenium is an element that is required in trace amounts in your diet. Too much of it can cause harmful health effects,
For humans, at least 70 g
(micrograms) of selenium per day is recommended.
Four important classes of organic compounds are:
carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.