CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE CELL

ELEMENT
 Substance that composed only one kind of atom.  Cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical reaction.  Common elements: carbon (C), oxygen (O), hydrogen (H) and nitrogen (N).  These elements account for about 96% of the mass of human body  Other elements: Na, Ca, P, Cl, K, Mg and S  Trace elements: copper (Cu), iodine (I) and ferum (Fe).

COMPOUND
(Substance which consists of two or more elements) ORGANIC  Contain carbon and hydrogen.  Associated with living organisms.  Ex: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. INORGANIC  Not contain carbon.  Constitute non-living matter.  Ex: water, acids, bases and mineral salts.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN THE CELLS

CARBOHYDRATES
 Contain C , H, and O  Primary source of energy in cells.  Starch: the main E store of carbohydrates in plant cells.  Glycogen: the main E store of carbohydrates in human and animal tissues.  Cellulose: forms the main constituent of the cell walls of all plant cells.

LIPIDS
 Contain C, H, O  Include fats, oils, waxes, phospholipids and steroids.  Adipose tissues underneath the skin insulates the bodies of animals  Act as a solvent for fat-soluble vitamins ( A, D,E,K )  Fats and oils: important sources of E.  Phospholipids: major constituent of plasma membrane  Wax: Prevents water loss in plants and infection by pathogens.  Steroids: cholesterol, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone.

PROTEINS
 C,H,O and N  The basic unit: amino acids.  Required in synthesized of enzymes, antibodies and certain hormones.  Important component of plasma membrane.  Structural components ( keratin (skin),Collagen(Bones) )  Build new cells for growth and renew damaged tissue.  15% of the protoplasm - protein

NUCLEIC ACID
 Store genetic information in the form of code.  Basic unit: nucleotides.  Each nucleotide consists of nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar and phosphate group.
Ph

Pen

 Two types;  deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)  ribonucleic acid (RNA)

DNA  Double stranded nucleic acid @ twisted around each other double helix.  Found in nucleus, chloroplasts and mitochondria.  Genetic material that organisms inherit from their parents.

  

RNA Found in the cytoplasm, ribosome and nucleus. Genetic material for some viruses. mRNA: copy - carries DNAs genetic code into the cytoplasm and directs the protein synthesis. Single stranded of polynucleotide

THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN THE CELLS

WATER
 The human body consists of approximately 70% water.  Present in cells, lymph, blood plasma and interstitial fluid.  Water is polar molecule: attract other ions and polar molecules.

SOLVENT

Water is the universal solvent of many biological molecules because of the polarity of its molecules

Lubrication
Mucus assists the movement of food substances in the intestinal tract Synovial fluid lubricates the joints to easy the movement at the joints

Maintaining body temperature

It helps to keep a relatively constant body temperature for optimum enzymetic activities

Medium for biochemical reaction

Water acts as a medium for biochemical reactions

Transport medium
It is an agent for transport medium in blood. Lymphatic, excretory and digestive systems It help to remove waste products from body