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3-6 Lecture BIO132

The document discusses the chemical basis of life, emphasizing the importance of understanding chemistry and biochemistry in relation to living organisms. It outlines the essential elements required for life, including carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, as well as trace elements necessary in smaller amounts. Additionally, it explains the concepts of atoms, molecules, and compounds, highlighting their roles in biological processes.

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5 views

3-6 Lecture BIO132

The document discusses the chemical basis of life, emphasizing the importance of understanding chemistry and biochemistry in relation to living organisms. It outlines the essential elements required for life, including carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen, as well as trace elements necessary in smaller amounts. Additionally, it explains the concepts of atoms, molecules, and compounds, highlighting their roles in biological processes.

Uploaded by

zainabnovelsonly
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chemical Basis of Life

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Chemicals are the stuff that make up our bodies and
those of other organisms

96.2

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Cont…

A typical plant body is


composed of carbohydrates (C,
H, O), lipids (C), proteins (N),
DNA (C, N, P, O)

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Therefore, to understand life, it is important
to understand the basic concepts of chemistry
and Biochemistry

 Biochemistry deals with chemical processes


in living organisms, and develop new drugs
and methods for treating diseases

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- Body functions depend on cellular functions
- Cellular functions result from chemical changes

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Chemical basis of life

 Biology is the study of life,

organisms
 “Bios” life,
 “Logos” study, thought, reasoning

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Cont…
• Organisms are composed of
matter
• Matter is anything that
occupies space and has mass

e.g Metals, rocks, gases,


liquid, etc.

Matter is made up of elements


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Cont…

What is an
element ???

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Cont…
Element: An element is a pure chemical
A substance that cannot be broken down to other
substance
substances

An element is composed of chemically identical


atoms
e.g. sodium, chlorine

There are over 92 naturally-occurring chemical elements


Bulk elements – required by the body in large amounts
(oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur)

 Trace elements – required by the body in small amounts


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Periodic Table

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Cont…
Essential Elements of life
 “An essential element is one that is required for life  These four

and whose absence results in death”. elements comprise

 Essential elements are 25 from which living organisms over 96% of living

are composed of. matter

 Most important elements four (4)


 Carbon (building block of life),
 Nitrogen (protein, DNA etc)

 Oxygen and hydrogen (water H2O)

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Cont…
Trace elements
 Required in small quantities but very important

e.g. Fe, I, Mg, Cu, Zn etc.


 Iron found in heme portion of hemoglobin, oxygen
transport, Deficiency caused “anemia”
 Iodine involved in creation of hormone in thyroid
glands, Deficiency caused “goiter”

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Typical symptoms of potassium deficiency Chlorosis
in plants include brown scorching and
curling of leaf tips
Nitrogen deficiency causes chlorosis
(yellowing) of leaves 15
Compound

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Example of compound

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Molecules – particle formed when two or more atoms
chemically combine.
Compound – particle formed when two or more different
elements chemically combine.
All compounds are molecules but not all molecules are
compounds e.g. Molecular hydrogen (H2).
Molecular formulas – Depict the elements present and the
number of each atom present in the molecule.
H2 C6H12O6 H2O
Mol. Hydrogen Glucose Water
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Atom

Elements are composed up of chemically


identical atoms

• Atoms – smallest particle of an element

• An atom is the smallest unit of matter that


still retains the properties of an element

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The number of electron
is called atomic
number

The sum of proton and


neutron in the nucleus is
called atomic mass

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Covalent bond
Water molecule

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What is a chemical
Reaction ???

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Na+ + Cl- NaCl

Reactants Products
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Distribution of electrons in their energy shells

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O
H-

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Dissolve in organic liquids

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CO2 is used by the plants for the process of photosynthesis (glucose is
produced)

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Water is the cradle of life

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Water bugs walk on the surface
of water due to surface tension
(Hydrogen bonding)

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