The Chemical Composition of OrganismsWhat makes compounds inorganic or organic?

ELEMENTS IN THE CELL

There are about 92 element occurring naturally in nature.From these 92 element, only about 25 element are needed to build living organisms.Not all these element found in all living cell.Main elements (CHON) are the most frequently found elements in cells, forming about 96% of the human body mass. Trace-elements are the elements are found in small quantity in cells, but are important in biological processes.

CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN THE CELL

ORGANICINORGANICChemical compounds contain carbon (exception are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbides and carbonates which are typically considered as inorganic)Are usually found in and originate from living organism.Usually consist of macromolecules (large molecules)Chemical compounds that do not contain carbonUsually a smaller and simpler than organic compoundsFounds in cells water, acids, alkalis and mineral salts

There are 4 main group of organic compounds in cellsCarbohydratesLipids ProteinsNucleic acids

CARBOHYDRATESThe carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The ratio of hydrogen to oxygen atoms in a molecule usually 2:1.Many carbohydrates have the general formula CX(H2O)Y, where x is approximately equal to y.Three basic types of carbohydrates are monosaccharide, disaccharides and polysaccharides

Monosaccharide'sMonosaccharide also called simple sugarThe common monosaccharide are six-carbon sugar Examples of monosaccharide are glucose, fructose (fruit sugar) and galactoseGlucose is the most common monosaccharideMonosaccharide are sweet-tasting crystalline substances which are soluble in water

DisaccharidesDisaccharides are formed from two monosaccharide molecules combining together with the elements of a molecule of water. The chemical reaction of the formation is known as condensation.Disaccharides also called double sugar.Disaccharides can be broken down to their constituent monosaccharide by a chemical reaction involving the addition of water. The reaction is know as hydrolysis.Like monosaccharide, they are sweet-tasting crystalline substances that are soluble in water.The most common disaccharides are maltose, lactose and sucrose.

PolysaccharidesMany monosaccharide molecules join together in a condensation reaction (with the removal of water molecules) to form a large polysaccharides molecules. Polymerisation is the process of condensing many individual monosaccharide molecules to form a large polysaccharides molecules.In polymerisation, the individual monosaccharide molecule are called monomers.Polymerisation of monosaccharide forms:Glycogen in humans and animalsStarch and cellulose in plants

glucoseSub unit: Glucose

Molecules with many side branches

Major storage of carbohydrates in animals and fungi, for examples, in muscle cells and liver cellsglycogen

glucosecelluloseStraight unbranched chain of glucose unitsPlant cell wall

ProteinsProteins are compounds of these element: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen sulphur and phosphorus.Amino acids are the subunits of all proteins.Each amino acids carries two functional group:A carboxyl group (- COOH) which is acidic andAn amino group (-NH2) which is basic.

Types of ProteinsTwo amino acids can combine together to form a dipeptide by a condensation reaction between the carboxyl group of one and the amino group of the other. The resulting a bond linking the two amino acids that is called a peptide bond.Long chains of amino acids are called polypeptides.A polypeptide is formed by the condensation reaction of many amino acids, with the removal of water.A polypeptide chain can also be hydrolysed, with the addition of water molecules to form individual amino acids.

LIPIDS

Lipids a diverse group of substance that contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, but in different proportions to carbohydrate's.All lipids are insoluble in waterLipids dissolve readily in other lipids and in organic solvent such as ether and ethanol.The main types of lipids are:Fats, energy-storing moleculeOils, energy-storing moleculePhospholipids, an important component of the cell membraneSteroids, act as hormones and vitamins

VitaminsOrganic molecules that are required for normal functioning.Animals are able to synthesise some vitamins but most are sourced from dietVitamins are either water or lipid solubleWater soluble vitamins are not stored in the bodyLipid soluble vitamins can be stored Vitamins are essential for enzyme development

Nucleic AcidsIs genetic material, it codes what makes up an organismDeoxyribonucleic Acid, DNA, codes our genesRibonucleic acid, RNA, is DNA that has been transcribed.

Inorganic CompoundsWater, where life evolved and reactions take placeOxygen (21%) and carbon dioxide (0.033%)Nitrogen (78%) a key component of proteinsMinerals such as calcium and potassium The skeletal structure contains 99% of the bodies calcium, the phosphate salts in calcium provide the mechanical rigidity bones need to bear loads.