Unit 2
Chapter Overview
During this unit, students engage in a basic review of chemistry concepts. Students begin to see the relationship between biology and chemistry through learning about the structure and function of biomolecules. Students implement controlled experiments, such as identifying organic compounds and enzyme activity and the factors that affect the reactions. Students identify the role of enzymes and their importance in living organisms. Students demonstrate safe practices as outlined in the Texas Safety Standards.
Main Ideas
Organic compounds are biomolecules made and used by living organisms. They all contain carbon and hydrogen. The structure of biomolecules gives rise to their function. The four types of biomolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Enzymes are an example of an organic compound; they speed up reaction rates and are critical to metabolic processes within living organisms. Enzymes function best within a certain temperature, range, salt concentration, and pH.
Misconceptions
Students may think biology and chemistry are separate and unrelated disciplines, rather than understanding that the study of living things (biology) at their most basic level (chemical make-up) is in essence chemistry.
Students may think all chemical reactions occur at the same rate, rather than understanding that there are many factors that affect the rate of chemical reactions.
Students may think the molecules in the food they eat are utilized by the body in the same form. (i.e., the fat consumed in food moves directly to storage in the body without any alteration).
Vocabulary
Biomolecule/Organic Molecule – molecule made by living things, molecule that makes up living things
Carbohydrates – molecule for energy and structure, made of C (carbon), H (hydrogen), and O (oxygen)
Lipids – fats and oils that don’t mix with water, give <<more>> energy and make cell membranes, long chain of C (carbon) and H (hydrogen) with some O (oxygen) at one end
Proteins – a chain of amino acids folded into a complex shape, many functions like being a catalyst, moving materials in/out of a cell, moving your body
Nucleic Acids – RNA and DNA, stores genetic information in cells
Polymer – is a large molecule (macromolecule) made of many repeated parts
Monomer – a molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to make a polymer
Dehydration Synthesis – monomers bond together to make a polymer and water is released
Hydrolysis – a polymer breaks down into monomers, water is needed
Enzyme – protein that makes a chemical reaction happen faster but is not changed in the process
Catalyst – lowers the energy needed for a chemical reaction
Substrate – this is changed by the enzyme
Activation Energy – energy needed for a chemical reaction to happen
Denature – shape of protein is changed by heat or acid so it won’t work
Notes
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