The Chemistry of Life
All living organisms are made up of atoms which combine to form
molecules which is the basic unit of life
Atom- smallest unit of matter
Molecule- two or more atoms are combines chemically
Elements- pure substance that’s not made up of simpler substances
Compound- two or more elements are chemically combined
Formula for water:
H2O
Elements Compound
Atom Molecule
Water is a compound with elements Hydrogen and oxygen which are
made from atoms. Water us made from different water molecules
where there’s 2 hydrogens atoms and one oxygen atom.
Cells, tissues and organs
Plant and animal cells are the basic and functional units of living
organisms that enable them to carry out the 7 basic characteristics
of life:
1. Nutrition
2. Response to stimuli
3. Growth
4. Reproduction Characteristics
5. Respiration
6. Excretion
7. Movement/ locomotion
,Cells- smallest unit of life that contains organelles
Tissue- group of differentiated cells that preforms a common function
Organ group of differentiated tissue that preforms a common
function
Molecules for life
Chemical compounds are divided into 2 groups
• Inorganic
• Organic
Inorganic
Chemical compounds that do not contain the element carbon and
aren’t produced by living organisms
Eg water, grass, mineral salts
Organic
Chemical compound that contains the element carbon (C) and
produced by living organisms.
Eg carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and vitamins
Organic compounds are composed from:
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Sulphur
Examples of organic compounds are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins,
nucleic acids and vitamins which form building blocks of cells
, Inorganic compounds
Water
Its an important inorganic compound for living organisms without
water there’s no life.
Formula for water = H2O
One water molecule has 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom
Functions of water in living organisms
1. Solvent
Water is a solvent for both organic and inorganic compounds. Mineral
salts dissolve in water so roots absorb them. O2 and CO2 must be
dissolved in water before they can enter or leave the body cells
2. Medium in chemical reactions
All chemical reaction in living organisms occur in water
3. Reagent during hydrolysis
Water breaks polymers down into monomers
4. Transporting agent lubricant
Digested nutrients, metabolic waste, gases and mineral salts are
transported in water
5. Lubricant
Makes process of chewing and swallowing easier. Aids movement of
food through rest of alimentary canal. Watery fluids surround the
eyeballs and joints to prevent friction
6. Regulates body temperature
Body losses water through sweat that evaporates and cools body
All living organisms are made up of atoms which combine to form
molecules which is the basic unit of life
Atom- smallest unit of matter
Molecule- two or more atoms are combines chemically
Elements- pure substance that’s not made up of simpler substances
Compound- two or more elements are chemically combined
Formula for water:
H2O
Elements Compound
Atom Molecule
Water is a compound with elements Hydrogen and oxygen which are
made from atoms. Water us made from different water molecules
where there’s 2 hydrogens atoms and one oxygen atom.
Cells, tissues and organs
Plant and animal cells are the basic and functional units of living
organisms that enable them to carry out the 7 basic characteristics
of life:
1. Nutrition
2. Response to stimuli
3. Growth
4. Reproduction Characteristics
5. Respiration
6. Excretion
7. Movement/ locomotion
,Cells- smallest unit of life that contains organelles
Tissue- group of differentiated cells that preforms a common function
Organ group of differentiated tissue that preforms a common
function
Molecules for life
Chemical compounds are divided into 2 groups
• Inorganic
• Organic
Inorganic
Chemical compounds that do not contain the element carbon and
aren’t produced by living organisms
Eg water, grass, mineral salts
Organic
Chemical compound that contains the element carbon (C) and
produced by living organisms.
Eg carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and vitamins
Organic compounds are composed from:
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Sulphur
Examples of organic compounds are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins,
nucleic acids and vitamins which form building blocks of cells
, Inorganic compounds
Water
Its an important inorganic compound for living organisms without
water there’s no life.
Formula for water = H2O
One water molecule has 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom
Functions of water in living organisms
1. Solvent
Water is a solvent for both organic and inorganic compounds. Mineral
salts dissolve in water so roots absorb them. O2 and CO2 must be
dissolved in water before they can enter or leave the body cells
2. Medium in chemical reactions
All chemical reaction in living organisms occur in water
3. Reagent during hydrolysis
Water breaks polymers down into monomers
4. Transporting agent lubricant
Digested nutrients, metabolic waste, gases and mineral salts are
transported in water
5. Lubricant
Makes process of chewing and swallowing easier. Aids movement of
food through rest of alimentary canal. Watery fluids surround the
eyeballs and joints to prevent friction
6. Regulates body temperature
Body losses water through sweat that evaporates and cools body
