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Chapter 2 Unit 1

This document provides an overview of biochemistry and the molecular basis of organisms. It discusses [1] how cellular functions result from chemical changes and biochemistry helps explain physiological processes. [2] It then covers the basic concepts of atoms, molecules, compounds, and bonding. [3] Key topics include the atomic structure of elements, ion formation, ionic and covalent bonding, and the differences between organic and inorganic molecules.

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harshit khare
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24 views

Chapter 2 Unit 1

This document provides an overview of biochemistry and the molecular basis of organisms. It discusses [1] how cellular functions result from chemical changes and biochemistry helps explain physiological processes. [2] It then covers the basic concepts of atoms, molecules, compounds, and bonding. [3] Key topics include the atomic structure of elements, ion formation, ionic and covalent bonding, and the differences between organic and inorganic molecules.

Uploaded by

harshit khare
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Molecular and Biochemical

Basis of an Organism

Unit-1
Dr. Ch. Vinod
Faculty of Biological Sciences
KIIT University
Why chemistry in a Biology class?
❑ Body functions depend on cellular functions
❑ Cellular functions result from chemical changes
❑ Biochemistry helps to explain physiological processes, and develop new drugs and
methods for treating diseases
Matter – anything that takes up space and has weight; composed of elements
Elements – composed of chemically identical atoms
• There are 26 elements in the human body
• There are 11 “major elements,” four of which (carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and
nitrogen) make up 96% of the human body
• There are 15 “trace elements” that make up less than 2% of body weight
Atomic Structure
Atoms – smallest particle of an element
composed of subatomic particles:
• proton – carries a single positive
charge
• neutron – carries no electrical
charge
• electron – carries a single negative
charge

Nucleus
• central part of atom
• composed of protons and
neutrons
• electrons move around the
nucleus
Molecules and Compounds
Molecule – particle formed when two or more atoms
chemically combine

Compound – particle formed when two or more


molecules of different elements chemically combine

Molecular formulas – depict the elements present


and the number of each atom present in the molecule
H2 C6H12O6 H2O
Bonding of Atoms
• bonds form when atoms combine with other
atoms
• lower shells are filled first
• electrons of an atom occupy regions of space
called electron shells which circle the nucleus • If the outermost shell is full, the
•each shell can hold a limited number of atom is stable
electrons
•for atoms with atomic numbers of 18 or less, the
following rules apply:
• the first shell can hold up to 2 electrons
• the second shell can hold up to 8 electrons
• the third shell can hold up to 10 electrons
Ions
Ion
• an atom that gains or loses electrons to become stable
• an electrically charged atom

Cation
• a positively charged ion
• formed when an atom loses
electrons

Anion
• a negatively charged ion
• formed when an atom gains
electrons
Ionic Bond Covalent Bond
• an attraction between a cation and an anion Formed when atoms share electrons
• formed when electrons are transferred from
one atom to another atom •Hydrogen atoms form single bonds
•Oxygen atoms form two bonds
•Nitrogen atoms form three bonds
•Carbon atoms form four bonds

H―H
O=O
N≡N
O=C=O
Structural Formula
Structural formulas show how atoms bond and are arranged in various
molecules
Polar Molecules Hydrogen Bonds
Molecule with a slightly negative end A weak attraction between the positive end of one

and a slightly positive end polar molecule and the negative end of another polar
molecule
• Results when electrons are not
• formed between water molecules
shared equally in covalent bonds
• important for protein and nucleic acid structure
• Water is an important polar
molecule
Chemical Reactions
Chemical reactions occur when chemical Types of Chemical Reactions
bonds form or break among atoms, ions, or
Synthesis Reaction – more complex chemical structure is formed
molecules A + B ’ AB
Reactants are the starting materials of the
reaction- the atoms, ions, or molecules Decomposition Reaction – chemical bonds are broken to form
a simpler chemical structure
Products are substances formed at the end AB ’ A + B
of the chemical reaction

Exchange Reaction – chemical bonds are broken and new bonds


are formed
AB + CD ’ AD + CB
NaCl Na+ + Cl-
Reversible Reaction – the products can change back to the
Reactant Products reactants
A + B AB
Organic Versus Inorganic
Organic molecules Inorganic molecules

contain C and H generally do not contain C


• usually larger than inorganic • usually smaller than organic
molecules molecules
• dissolve in water and organic • usually dissociate in water,
liquids forming ions
• carbohydrates, proteins, • water, oxygen, carbon dioxide,
lipids, and nucleic acids and inorganic salts
Thank you

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