Organic Compounds

Emily and Lauren

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates have a 2:1 ratio of hydrogen to oxygen.

Ex. Glucose C6H12O6

When sugars are broken down, energy released is stored as ATP.

Types of Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides – single ring structures containing 3-7 carbon atomsex. Glucose, fructose, galactose, ribose & deoxyribose

Disaccharides – two simple sugars joined by the process of dehydration synthesisex. Sucrose (glucose + fructose)

Polysaccharides – a chain of many simple sugarsex. starch and glycogen

Dehydration Synthesis

a chemical reaction where two molecules become covalently bonded together by the loss of a small molecule, which is usually water

Lipids

Lipids are most commonly found as neutral fats, phospholipids, and steroids. They enter the body as meats, eggs, oils, and dairy products.

Most lipids are insoluble in water.

Neutral fats, Phospholipids, and Steroids

Neutral fats, or triglycerides, are composed of fatty acids and glycerol. Animal fats tend to be solid (saturated) while plant oil are liquid or unsaturated. When broken down they release large amounts energy and are stored as fat deposits under the skin.

Phospholipids are fatty acid chains with an attached phosphate group that give polarity to the cell wall allowing water to enter.

Steroid structures are formed from four interlocking rings. Cholesterol is the most important steroid. It is used to form sex hormones, vitamin D, cortisol, and bile.

Proteins

Contain carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen like carbohydrates and lipids

Also contain nitrogen and sometimes sulfur Made up of small molecule known as amino

acids Structural Proteins vs. Functional Proteins

Amino Acids

Amino acids are classified using three groups.

Amine group – this gives the basic properties

Acid group – this allows the to act as acids

R-group – this makes each amino acid chemically unique

Structural vs. Functional Proteins

Fibrous Proteins Also called structural proteins Practically insoluble Are never enzymes or

hormones3 types Keratins – in hair and nails,

makes skin tough Collagens – found in bones,

cartilage, and tendons (most abundant)

Elastins – found at blood vessels and ligaments

Globular Proteins Also called functional proteins Soluble in aqueous solutionsCan act as: Enzymes – act as biological

catalysts Messengers – to regulate

biological processes (hormones → insulin)

Transporters – carries other molecules through membranes

Ex. Hemoglobin – part of the cell shape and carries the oxygen to the other cells

Enzymes

Functional proteins that act as biological catalysts Each have a specific function Catalyst- a substance that increases the rate of a

chemical reaction without becoming part of the product or being changed itself

Needed to speed to process of biochemical reactions – otherwise too slow

Ex. Hydrolase, oxidase, amylase, lipase Active vs. inactive