Basic Biochemistry

VERY BASIC

Matter

• Anything that has mass and takes up space.

• Anything that is not matter is energy

Atom

• Smallest particle an element can be broken down into and still retain all of its characteristics

• All matter is made of atoms

Substance

• Anything you can represent with a chemical formula or symbol

• Elements Al, U, He,

• Compounds H2O CO2 C6H12O6

Element

• A substance that consists of only one type of atom

Compound

• Two or more elements chemically combined

• A chemical formula can be written

• Elements are in set proportions

• ex. H2O CO2 C6H12O6

Mixture

• Two or more substances not chemically combined

• Can be separated back out.

• No definite proportion of substances

Solutions

• Solution- a mixture between a solid and liquid in which the solid dissolves. ex. Salt water

• Solvent- The liquid of a solution

• Solute- The solid dissolved in the liquid (Dissolved Particles)

Organic Molecules

• Molecules common in or from living or once living things

• Carbon is the base element found in all organic compounds

• Four types of organic compounds-Carbohydrates-Lipids-Proteins-Nucleic acids

Carbohydrates

• Have the formula CxH2xOx

• Includes starch, cellulose, and glucose

• Generally used for energy

Proteins

• Used for structure and support

• Made up of amino acids

Lipids

• Includes fats and oils

Nucleic Acids

• DNA and RNA

• Composed of sugar, phosphate groups and nitrogen bases