Chemical Compounds in Cells

1. Chemical Compounds in Cells

2. Elements • Elements – any substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances • Elements found in living things • Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfer • Atoms – smallest unit of an element

3. Compounds • Compound – when two or more elements combine chemically in fixed proportions • Molecules- smallest unit of any compound • Carbon dioxide (one carbon atom + two oxygen atoms) CO2 • Water (two hydrogen + one oxygen) H2O • Peroxide (two hydrogen + two oxygen) H2O2

5. Water and Your Cells • Water (two hydrogen + one oxygen) H2O • Makes up about two thirds of your body • Important roles in your body • Dissolves chemicals that cells need • Keeps cells their size and shape • Keeps temperature of cells from changing rapidly

6. Organic and Inorganic Compounds • Organic compounds • Contain element carbon • Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids • Inorganic compounds • Do not contain carbon • Water, sodium chloride (table salt)

7. Carbohydrates • Carbohydrates- energy-rich organic compound • Made of elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen • Sugar produced in plants • Fruits and vegetables (high sugar content) • Starches (complex carbohydrates) –sugar molecules combine to form large molecules • Pasta, potatoes, rice, bread • Body breaks down starches into glucose (cells use for energy) • Stores and provides energy and makes up cellular parts (cell wall & cell membranes)

8. How much carbohydrates do you need? • 50-60% of Calories should come from carbs. • Complex carbs are better to eat than simple carbs – sugars give a quick burst of energy, but starches are a longer, more even energy source. • Foods high in complex carbs usually have other useful nutrients • Foods with lots of sugar usually have fewer other useful nutrients

9. Lipids • Lipids – energy-rich organic compounds • Made of elements carbon, hydrogen, oxygen • Contain more energy than carbohydrates • Fats, oils and waxes Used to store energy Cell membranes are made mainly of lipids

10. How much fat do we need? • Should have no more than 30% of Calories in diet from fat • Should particularly limit intake of saturated fats and cholesterol • Read labels – look for palm or coconut oil, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils – these are bad for you and you should avoid them if you can

11. Proteins • Proteins – large organic molecules • Made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes sulfur • Meats, eggs, fish, nuts, and beans • Amino acids – molecules that make up protein molecules • only 20 common amino acids (arranged in different ways) • Enzyme – type of protein that speeds up chemical reactions that take place in cells • Saliva speeds up digestion Makes up much of the structure of cells (cell membrane and organelles) Speeds up chemical reaction

12. Nucleic Acids • Nucleic Acids – very long organic molecules • Made of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen , phosphorus • Contain the instructions that cells need to carry out all the functions of the cell • DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) • Genetic material (parent to offspring) • Directs all of the cells functions • found in chromatin • RNA (ribonucleic acid) • Important role in production of proteins • Found in cytoplasm and nucleus

13. Food Guide Pyramid • Classifies food into 6 groups and indicates how many servings from each group should be eaten per day