Chemical Components of Cells Carbohydrates--carbon, hydrogen, oxygen in a

1:2:1 ratio (CH2O), 3 classes Monosaccharides—simple sugars, contain

smallest # of C atoms (3-7) Most easily used by the body Examples: glucose (C6H12O6) , fructose,

galactose Disaccharides—2 monosaccharides bonded

together Examples: sucrose=glucose + fructose;

lactose=glucose + galactose Polysaccharides—long chains of simple sugars;

our bodies store E as these Example: cellulose, used as plant structural

material—our bodies can’t break down, but what organism can? Why?

Chem Comp of Cells

Lipids—organic molecules that are insoluble in H2O; they will dissolve in organic solvents (benzene, xylene)

Fat molecules have more H atoms bonded to their C than do CH2O-this allows them to store more E

Fats can be liquid or solid at room temp. depending on whether the C atoms are held together by single or double bonds

Saturated fats: long chains held together by single bonds; solid at room temp. (lard, butter)

Unsaturated fats: short chains held together by double bonds; liquid at room temp. (veg.oils: olive, corn, canola)

C C of C Proteins—basic structural

material of the body; important in body functions

Amino acids— building blocks of proteins

Specific sequence of aa form proteins or polypeptides

Enzymes—serve as catalysts for body activities

Speed up chemical reactions w/o entering into the reaction or changing themselves

C3

Nucleic acids—large organic molecules that hold the genetic information that determines the structure and functions of cells

Made of long chains of nucleotides: made of a 5 C sugar (deoxyribose or ribose) a phosphate group (PO4) and a nitrogen base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine)

2 types: DNA and RNA (to be cont. at a later date…..)