I. Chemical Compounds in Cells

A. Elements• An element is any substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.• The smallest unit of an element is an atom.• Example of an element is carbon.

B. Compounds• A compound is two or more elements that are chemically combined.• The smallest unit of a compound is a molecule.• An example of a compound is water.

C. Organic and Inorganic Compounds• Inorganic compounds do not contain carbon. • Organic compounds contain carbon and hydrogen and usually are associated

with living things.

Four groups of Organic Compounds

Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic Acids

Made of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

Made of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

Made of the elements carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen,and sulfur

Made of the elements carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and phosphorus

Supply energy for cell processes, form plant structures; short-term energy storage

Store large amounts of energy long term; form boundaries around cells

Regulate cell processes and build cell structures

Carry hereditary information; used to make proteins

Sugars-fruits, starch-pasta, and cellulose-found in cell walls of plants

Fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids, and cholesterol

Enzymes, skin, and hair

DNA and RNA