Chemistry of Life - Dr. Young's Anatomy Class

Introduction

• Focus on chemistry relevant to bodily functions.
• Study starts at atomic and molecular level.

Basic Chemistry Concepts

Matter

• Anything with mass that occupies space.
• Exists in solid, liquid, and gas states.
• Chemistry: Study of matter and its interactions.

Atoms and Elements

• Atom: Smallest unit of matter with mass and occupying space.
• Periodic table: Atoms classified by protons, neutrons, and electrons.
• Important elements in the body: Hydrogen, Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen.
• Also involves 7 minerals and 13 trace elements.

Chemical Bonds

Ionic Bonds

• Formed by electron transfer between atoms.
• Cation: Positive (loses an electron).
• Anion: Negative (gains an electron).
• Example: Sodium Chloride (NaCl).

Covalent Bonds

• Atoms share electrons.
• Types: Polar (unequal sharing, e.g., water) and Nonpolar (equal sharing).

Hydrogen Bonds

• Weak bonds between polar molecules.
• Important in water and blood properties.

Chemical Reactions

Key Terms

• Reactants: Starting substances.
• Products: Resulting substances.

Types of Reactions

• Endergonic (energy input) vs. Exergonic (energy release).
• Catabolic (breakdown), Anabolic (buildup), Exchange reactions.

Enzymes

• Lower activation energy, speeding up reactions.
• Not consumed in reactions.

Inorganic Compounds

Water

• Universal solvent critical for chemical reactions.

Acids and Bases

• Acids release hydrogen ions; bases release hydroxide ions.
• pH scale: Measures hydrogen ion concentration (0-14).

Buffers

• Maintain pH balance in body fluids.

Organic Compounds

Carbohydrates

• Primary energy source.
• Types: Monosaccharides, Disaccharides, Polysaccharides.
• Stored as glycogen in muscles and liver.

Lipids

• More energy than carbohydrates but harder to break down.
• Types: Saturated (solid), Unsaturated (liquid), Phospholipids, Steroids.

Proteins

• Made of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
• Functions: Enzymes, structural components, immune response.
• Structure levels: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary.

Nucleic Acids

• DNA and RNA: Store and transmit genetic information.
• Made of nucleotides (sugar, phosphate, nitrogen base).

ATP

• Adenosine triphosphate: Energy currency of the cell.
• Energy stored in phosphate bonds.