EED5- TEACHING SCIENCE IN PRIMARY GRADES

UNIT II
The Chemical Basis of Life

OVERVIEW
Six elements make up 98% of an organism: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen,
Nitrogen, Sulfur, and Phosphorus, or simply, CHONSP. As you have studied in the
previous unit, the ordering of atoms into molecules represents the lowest level of
biological organization. Therefore, to understand the processes of life, it is important
to equip with the basic concepts of chemistry. In this unit, you will study atoms, how
they bond to form a molecule, and eventually forming a compound. Also, you will be
introduced to the five macromolecules and how important these are to the organism.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this unit, I am able to:

1. differentiate atom from element & molecule from compound;
2. describe what an organic compound/macromolecule is;
3. identify the elements that make up each of the five macromolecules;
4. explain the function of each macromolecule in the organism; and
5. create a DNA origami.

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SETTING UP

Directions: Create a mind map from the given word. Make sure that these words
RELATES to each other for it to form a network of words.

ATOM

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LECTURE PROPER

CHEMICAL BASIS OF LIFE

Matter, Mass, and Weight

 Matter- anything that occupies space and has mass
 Mass- is the amount of matter in an object
 Weight- is the gravitational force acting on an object of a given mass

Element and Atom

 Element- is the simplest type of matter with unique chemical properties
 Atom- is the smallest particle of an element that has the chemical characteristics of
the element

Atomic Structures
The characteristic of the living and nonliving matter results from the structures,
organization, and behavior of atoms. Atom is composed of subatomic particles, some of which
have an electric charge.

Three major types of subatomic particles

 Neutron- no electric charge
 Protons- have positively charge
 Electrons- have a negative charge

The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in each atom, and
because the number of electrons and protons is equal, the atomic number is also the number
of electrons.
Protons and neutrons have the same mass, and they are responsible for most of the
mass of atoms.
Mass number = proton + neutron

Chemical bonding- occurs when the outermost electrons are transferred or shared between
atoms.
 Ionic bond- results when an electron is transferred from one atom to another.
 Covalent bond- result when a pair of electrons are shared between atoms.

Molecules and Compounds

 Molecules- is two or more atoms chemically combined to form a structure that
behaves as an independent unit.
 Compounds- two or more different types of atoms chemically combined. A compound
can be a molecule (covalent compound) or an organized array of anions (ionic
compounds)
Acids and Bases
 Acids- are proton (hydrogen ion), donors
 Bases- are proton acceptor
 An acidic solution has more H+ and OH and pH less than 7.0

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 A basic solution has fewer H+ and OH and a pH greater than 7.

 Salts- formed when an acid reacts with a base
 Buffers- are chemical that resists changes in pH when acids or based are added

ORGANIC COMPOUNDS/ MACROMOLECULES

Organic compounds contain carbon and usually hydrogen, most occur naturally only
in the bodies and products of an organism.

Importance of Organic Compounds:

 Good source of energy within the cell
 Help in building new tissues and synthesize physiologically important chemicals such
as hormones and enzymes.

There are five organic compounds or macromolecules in the organism, these are:

1. Carbohydrates
 Carbohydrates are substances containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, where the
proportion of hydrogen atoms to the oxygen atom is two to one.
 The general formula of (CH2O) n where “n” represents the number of carbon units
linked in the molecules.
 Most abundant organic compounds in nature
 The simpler carbohydrates are known as sugars
 Carbohydrates are the chief energy resource for all cellular activities within the cell.

Classification of Carbohydrates
a. Monosaccharide
They are the simplest type of carbohydrates; typically have a skeleton of
three, five, six, or seven carbon atoms.
The most prevalent monosaccharides are the following:
 Glucose- known as dextrose or blood sugar
 Galactose – also known as milk sugar
 Fructose- fruit sugar

b. Disaccharide
When two simple sugar molecules covalently bonded, they form
disaccharides meaning double sugars and with a chemical formula of C12H22O11.
The most common of these compounds are the following:
 Sucrose- is composed of two simple sugars, glucose and fructose. Sucrose is
commonly known as the table sugar that has been extracted and crystallized
from such plants as sugar cane. To be utilized by the cells, it is broken down
first into monosaccharide through the process called hydrolysis, which takes
place in the small intestine during digestion.
 Lactose- or milk sugar is another form of disaccharides that is composed of
glucose and galactose molecules.
 Maltose- or malt sugar is composed of two glucose molecules. The main
source of these disaccharides is fruit juice and grains. It is also used as the raw
material in beer manufacturing.

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c. Polysaccharide
When two more than simple sugar molecules are bonded covalently through
dehydration synthesis and form long chairs or branches of carbon atoms, the result
is the polysaccharides group.

Examples of polysaccharides:

 Starch- abundant in complex plants. It is a storage carbohydrate made up of glucose

units.
 Cellulose- polysaccharides found in plants. It is an insoluble carbohydrate that is
made up of tough fibrous materials that hold together the plant structure. Cellulose,
however, is fibrous and water-insoluble, thus the human digestive tract is not capable
of digesting cellulose. Nevertheless, cellulose helps produce soft fecal material, thus
avoiding the chances of having constipation, hemorrhoids, and cancer of the rectum.
It also helps to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the bloodstream.
 Glycogen- is the stored carbohydrates in animals and fungi. Like starch, it is made up
of glucose units, therefore a source of reserve units when needed.
 Chitin- found in the outer covering of animals such as insects and crustaceans. Chitin
is the main structural material in the external skeleton, biting mouthparts, and other
specialized structure such as eye lenses and copulatory organs.

2. Lipids
 Lipids are fatty compounds made up of carbon, carbon-containing compounds that
are hydrophobic or insoluble in water. They are substances that dissolve in nonpolar
solvents, such as alcohol or acetone, but not in a polar solvent, such as water.
 Lipids can serve as energy-storage molecules in plants and animals, just as
carbohydrates do. Solid storage molecules are fats. Fats are energy-storage molecules
that contain glycerol bonded to three fatty acids. Liquid storage molecules are oils.
Fats in the liquid state are known as oils. Waxes are semisolid types of lipids. Wax is
a sticky, solid, waterproof lipid that forms the combs of bees and waterproofing of
plant leaves.
 Another important class of lipids, the steroids, includes certain vitamins, some
hormones, and cholesterol.

3. Proteins
Proteins are the most common organic compounds that contain nitrogen as well as
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Some proteins also contain sulfur and phosphorous.
They function for support, structure, movement, transport, communication, and
disease-defense. Amino acids are the primary structural units of protein.

Essential Amino Acids Non-essential Amino Acids

 Arginine  Alanine
 Histidine  Asparagine
 Isoleucine  Aspartic acid
 Leucine  Cysteine
 Lysine  Glutamic acid
 Methionine  Glutamine
 Phenylalanine  Glycine

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EED5- TEACHING SCIENCE IN PRIMARY GRADES

 Threonine  Proline
 Tryptophan  Serine
 Valine  Tyrosine

Table 2. List of Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids

4. Nucleic acid
The nucleic acid is compounds that contain nitrogen and phosphorous in addition to
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The basic unit of nucleic acid is the nucleotide, which is a
monosaccharide with an attached phosphate and organic base.

a. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) is the genetic material of all cellular organisms and
most viruses. DNA carries the information needed to direct protein synthesis and
replication. Protein synthesis is the production of the proteins needed by the cell or
virus for its activities and development. Replication is the process by which DNA
copies itself for each descendant cell or virus, passing on the information needed for
protein synthesis. In most cellular organisms, DNA is organized on chromosomes
located in the nucleus of the cell.

b. Ribonucleic Acid (RNA), the genetic material of certain viruses and, in cellular
organisms, the molecule that directs the middle steps of protein production. In RNA
viruses, the RNA directs two processes—protein synthesis (production of the virus's
protein coat) and replication (the process by which RNA copies itself.

Basic comparison between Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
DNA nucleotides contain the monosaccharide deoxyribose and the organic bases
adenine, thymine, guanine, cytosine. DNA occurs as a double-strand of joined nucleotides and
is the genetic material of cells.
RNA nucleotides are composed of monosaccharide ribose. The organic bases are the
same as for DNA except that thymine is replaced with uracil.

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EED5- TEACHING SCIENCE IN PRIMARY GRADES

REFERENCES
Books
Peria, JN. & Mangansat, NJ. (2015). Discovering Life: An Introduction. College of
Education, NEUST. Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.
Webpage
http://www.cssforum.com.pk/css-compulsory-subjects/general-science-ability/15107-solved-everyday-science-papers.html

https://kidsresearchexpress-6.blogspot.com/2008/08/ribonucleic-acid.html

https://www.sau33.com/cms/lib/NH02216817/Centricity/Shared/Par%20Board%20Visit%202015/Ramsey_WhoTookJerellsIpod%
20_Modified_.pdf

https://serendipstudio.org/sci_edu/waldron/pdf/WhoTookJerellsIpod.pdf

https://www.lcps.org/cms/lib/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/20679/Who%20Took%20Jerells%20iPhone.docx

http://www.newburyparkhighschool.net/herrmann/bio_cp/Lab_jarell

https://science63.blogspot.com/

https://dna-rna-tr.blogspot.com/2008/04/dna-deoxyribonucleic-acid.html

https://noreacondicionadoyrefrigeraciia.blogspot.com/2010/07/

http://hao10000.blog.tianya.cn/

https://biologymrt.weebly.com/uploads/1/8/6/4/18645330/whotookjerellsipod__1_.docx

https://monsterliterature.com/dna-or-deoxyribonucleic-acid/

https://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080130145455AAK7Eh6

https://kidsresearchexpress-6.blogspot.com/2008/08/deoxyribonucleic-acid.html

https://1.cdn.edl.io/NqQ6mp2DYkyrT4rb0GzUBsa4sF1nRIoUWQBHjOnGAPrerLth.ppt

https://mrskrantzscience.weebly.com/uploads/4/5/0/1/45013549/whotookjerellsipod.doc

https://www.yourgenome.org/sites/default/files/downloads/activities/origami-dna/origamidna-blanktemplateinstructions.pdf

http://spotidoc.com/doc/690880/using-the-blank-dna-origami-template

https://pottsscience.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/7/7/38775755/dna_origami_inst_blank_a4_3.pdf

https://ebookdig.biz/ebook/q/pdf/origami-sequence-instructions.html

https://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/chapter-2/deck/22048912

https://www.slideshare.net/ZoeVidal/life-before-birth-first-trimester

https://www.wlwv.k12.or.us/cms/lib8/OR01001812/Centricity/Domain/1341/HANDOUT-
%20Constructing%20a%20Paper%20Helix_2005.pdf

https://hanabio9.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/7/8/117896671/dna_model_activity.doc

https://www.cg4tv.com/dna-on-transparent-background.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUwGyvGHyrE

https://quizlet.com/4082265/biology-ch-2-flash-cards/

https://www.calameo.com/books/00087032273551127fa27

https://www.e-patchesandcrests.com/ideas/meeting_plans/dna_instruction_molecule/EMP019EN-CD-dna-instruction-molecule-9-
14-yrs.php

UNIT II: THE CHEMICAL BASIS OF LIFE 32

EED5- TEACHING SCIENCE IN PRIMARY GRADES

ASSESSING LEARNING

Activity 5
Name
CHEMICAL BASIS OF LIFE
Organic Compounds
Course, Year & Section Rating

THE IPHONE THIEF: AN ORGANIC COMPOUND MYSTERY

Leni Joy is a freshman student at the University of Science and Technology for the
Gifted. While on lunch break, she was studying for her biology chapter test about organic
compounds and listening to music in her new iPhone, a gift from her “balikbayan ninong”.
There were four other students in the classroom, each having something different for lunch.
Near the end of her lunch break, Joy saw a couple of her friends in the hallway in front of their
classroom. She rushed out to greet them and forgot her iPhone and biology book in the room.
When she realized her mistake, she turned around and hurried back inside. However, she
found only her biology book and some spilled food. Her iPhone was gone! At first, she freaked
out, but she calmed down when she realized she could use her knowledge of organic
compounds to figure out who among her classmates left the spilled food on her biology book
while taking her iPhone. She decided to collect the evidence (spilled food) left in her biology
book and place them in two separate bottles with the labels dry part of the evidence and
liquid part of the evidence.

What are organic compounds?

Almost all of the food we eat comes from plants and animals. Plants and animals
contain mainly water and organic compounds, which are molecules made by living organisms
such as plants or animals. The most common type of organic compounds are carbohydrates,
lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.

What are the indicators?

An indicator is a substance that changes color in the presence of a particular type of
molecule or organic compound.

Joy will use these tests to analyze the evidence left at the scene of the crime and find
out who spilled the food on her textbook.
Test for the presence of: Indicators
Benedict’s solution is a chemical used to
test for the presence of glucose.

It is a clear blue solution, which in the

presence of sugar will change color to
Sugar green, yellow, and brick red, depending
on the amount of sugar.

Brick red indicates that the substance

tested has more sugar and green has the
least sugar.

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EED5- TEACHING SCIENCE IN PRIMARY GRADES

Starch Iodine solution is used to test for the

presence of starch.

It is a yellow-brown solution that will

turn blue-black in the presence of starch.

Darker blue-black color indicates a greater

starch content.
Protein Biuret solution is a blue solution that
changes into pink-purple color in the
presence of protein.
Fat Sudan III stain solution has a high affinity
for fats. It stains red in the presence of fat.
The dry part of Joy’s evidence tested positive for the Iodine solution test and Biuret
reagent test while the liquid part of the evidence tested positive for the Sudan III stain.

The table below shows the result of the test for the presence of organic compounds
that Joy conducted using samples of her classmates’ lunch. The positive sign (+) shows that
the food tested positive for the test and the negative sign (-) shows that the food showed a
negative result for the test.

Food Indicators
Benedict’s Iodine Biuret’s Sudan III
Solution Solution Solution Stain
(test for (test for (test for (test for
sugar) glucose) protein) fats)
Pretzel (crumble into the container) - + + -
Butter + + + +
Jelly + + - -
Fat-free yogurt + - + -
Beans (mash into a paste) - + + +

The following table shows what each student in the room was eating while Joy was
studying. Complete this table to show which types of organic compounds would be in each
lunch and which types of organic compounds were found in the combined liquid + dry
evidence. Use a positive sign (+) to show if the substance tested positive for the specific test
and a negative sign (-) if the substance tested negative for the test.

Lunch he or she was eating Starch Protein Glucose Lipid

Fat-Free Yogurt
Bean burrito with cheese
Toast with butter and jelly
Pretzel
Combined liquid + dry evidence

The following is the list of what the workers ate for lunch during the theft:
Peter Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
Katniss Fat-free yogurt

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EED5- TEACHING SCIENCE IN PRIMARY GRADES

Gabriel Bean burrito with cheese

Kiara Pretzels
Complete the following table to summarize the evidence and your interpretation of the
evidence.

The
worker Did he/she
How do you know?
in the take Joy’s
Describe the evidence that supports your conclusion.
break iPhone?
room

Peter

Katniss

Gabriel

Kiara

9. Who took Joy’s iPhone? Do you have any doubts about your conclusion? Explain.

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EED5- TEACHING SCIENCE IN PRIMARY GRADES

Activity 6
Name
DNA: The Blueprint of Life
Course, Year & Section Rating

DNA ORIGAMI

Introduction
The nucleic acid is compounds that contain nitrogen and phosphorous in addition to
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid are the two major
types of nucleic acid.
Like DNA, RNA consists of a chain of chemical compounds called nucleotides. Each
nucleotide is made up of a sugar molecule called ribose, a phosphate group, and one of four
different nitrogen-containing compounds called bases. The four bases are adenine, guanine,
uracil, and cytosine. These components are joined together in the same manner as in a
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule. RNA differs chemically from DNA in two ways: The
RNA sugar molecule contains an oxygen atom not found in DNA, and RNA contains the base
uracil in the place of the base thymine in DNA.

Objectives
The objective of this activity is to acquaint you with the base-pairing rules of the DNA
as well as its basic structure.

Materials
DNA Origami instruction Crayons DNA Origami Template

Procedure:
Follow the instructions given in creating the DNA origami.

Questions to answer:

1. What does DNA contain the instructions for?

________________________________________________________
2. With what base does adenine pair?
___________________________________________________________________
4. With what base does guanine pair?
___________________________________________________________________
5. What is the smallest unit of DNA called?
_____________________________________________________________
6. What is the shape of the DNA molecule?
____________________________________________________________
7. In a DNA molecule, will there always be an equal number of adenine and thymine bases?
Why or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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EED5- TEACHING SCIENCE IN PRIMARY GRADES

8. In a DNA molecule, will there always be an equal number of cytosine and guanine bases?
Why or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What are the three building blocks of a nucleotide? Describe.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NOTE: Use the following DNA sequence A T G C C G T A A G T

2. Start by writing the first letter of

1. Layout the blank DNA origami your DNA sequence A in the top right
template on the table. corner.

4. Write the corresponding bases in

3. Continue your sequence down
boxes diagonally across from your
the column on the right.
sequence as shown.

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EED5- TEACHING SCIENCE IN PRIMARY GRADES

5. Continue the complementary sequence until

you reach the bottom; and fill in the top box of
that column with any letter.

6. That’s it! Now you are ready to color and

fold! Use the following color coding: adenine-
green, thymine-red, guanine-yellow, cytosine-
blue.

B. Folding the DNA

Source: yourgenome.com

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EED5- TEACHING SCIENCE IN PRIMARY GRADES

Name
Activity 7
Chemical Basis of Life Course, Year & Section Rating

GENERAL DIRECTION: Read each item carefully. Erasures and/or Alterations will make your answer
null and void.

I. Identification. Write what is being asked.

____________1. The function of this macromolecule is for source of energy
____________2. This macromolecule is for energy storage and insulation
____________3. It is a storage carbohydrate made up of glucose units.
____________4. Are semisolid types of lipids.
____________5. The genetic material of certain viruses and, in cellular organisms, the molecule that directs
the middle steps of protein production.

II. True or False. Write True if the statement is correct, write False if the statement is incorrect.
______________1. Nucleic Acids are used for transport, support and disease-defense of the body.
______________2. DNA is single-stranded while RNA is double-stranded.
______________3. Amino acids are the building blocks of Protein.
______________4. Monosaccharides are the building blocks of Carbohydrates.
______________5. Two molecules of Glucose can be joined to form the disaccharide called fructose.

III. Matching Type. Match Column A to Column B

Column A Column B

___1. C,H,O A. Protein

___2. C,H,O,N B. DNA

___3. C,H,O,N,P C. RNA

___4. Adenine-Uracil D. Nucleic Acid

___5. Adenine-Thymine E. Carbohydrates

UNIT II: THE CHEMICAL BASIS OF LIFE 40