LIFE PROCESSES

HINA SAIF
CHEMISTRY OF LIFE

• understand the chemistry of life processes it is essential to unravel the basic chemical
reactions in our body.
• These chemical life processes help understand knowledge of the molecular structures of
important biological molecules like DNA, enzymes, proteins and antibodies
LIFE PROCESSES

• Nutrition – Digestion: Includes the activities involved in ingestion (obtaining food from the
environment) and digestion (processing food for use by the organism). It also includes
egestion (removal of solid wastes)

• Respiratory System: The process of releasing energy from organic molecules for use by
cells.
During respiration glucose is broken down, and the energy released is stored in the compound
ATP.
Energy released by the compound ATP is used by organisms to perform life functions.
LIFE PROCESSES

• Transport Phenomena: The absorption of materials through cell membranes and the
circulation, or distribution of materials to all the cells of an organism.

• Immune System: Protection against foreign bodies

• Excretory System: The elimination of cellular waste products from the organism.
These wastes include water, carbon dioxide, salts, and nitrogen-containing compounds.

• Reproductive System: The production of new individuals. Reproduction is necessary for

the survival of a species, or kind of organism.
 NUTRITION
• Includes the activities involved in ingestion (obtaining food from the environment) and
digestion (processing food for use by the organism). It also includes egestion (removal of
solid wastes)
• The food we eat contain
1. Carbohydrates – Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen
2. Fats – Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen (O2 ) (2x energy)
3. Proteins – Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen
4. Fiber - cellulose
5. Vitamins
6. Mineral
7. Water
CARBOHYDRATES

Monosaccharide • Glucose
• Fructose
• Galactose

• Lactose
Disaccharide Maltose
Sucrose

• Cellulose- plant cell wall

Polysaccharide • Starch
• Glycogen
CARBOHYDRATES
FATS

• Triglyceride
• esters of three fatty acid chains and the alcohol glycerol
PROTEINS

• Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. They do most of
the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s
tissues and organs.
• Proteins are made up of hundreds or thousands of smaller units called amino acids, which are
attached to one another in long chains. There are 20 different types of amino acids that can be
combined to make a protein. The sequence of amino acids determines each protein’s unique 3-
dimensional structure and its specific function.
FUNCTION OF PROTEIN

• Antibodies: Antibodies bind to specific foreign particles, such as viruses and bacteria, to help
protect the body.
• Enzymes: Enzymes carry out almost all of the thousands of chemical reactions that take place
in cells. They also assist with the formation of new molecules by reading the genetic
information stored in DNA.
• Messengers: Messenger proteins, such as some types of hormones, transmit signals to
coordinate biological processes between different cells, tissues, and organs.
• Structural components: These proteins provide structure and support for cells. On a larger
scale, they also allow the body to move.
STRUCTURE OF PROTEIN?
 VITAMINS
Vitamins Functions Deficiency Problems Food Sources
A Healthy skin Dry and scaly skin Carrots, pumpkin, fish
Vision Night blindness
B1 Releasing energy from Beri-Beri (Nervous and Yeast, wholegrain cereals,
carbohydrates muscular systems peas
Functioning of heart and disease)
nervous system
C Healthy teeth Scurvy Citrus fruits
Absorption of iron Low resistance to
Formation of collagen infections
(protein of the Easily bruised
connective tissue)
D Growth and Rickets Dairy products,
development of bones
E Protection of cells Nerve Vegetable oils, wheat,
degeneration(hands and nuts and egg yolk
feet)
K Blood clotting Prolonged bleeding Vegetables, liver, (bacteria
Easily bruised in our gut)
MINERALS

Mineral Functions Food Sources

Calcium Building of bones Dairy products, green vegetables
and teeth and eggs
Muscle growth and
contraction
Blood clotting
Iron Making hemoglobin Liver, meat, eggs, green vegetables
Deficiency leads to
anemia
Iodine Making hormones Seafood, seaweed, (table salts have
of thyroid gland added iodine)
Deficiency leads to
swelling of the
thyroid gland and
Goitre