Unit 1

Levels of organization Macromolecules Cell structure

Course organization: Unit 1

First the small stuff:
atoms molecules macromolecules

Then larger (microscopic stuff):

cells and their parts (organelles)

Then the types of tissues cells can build, and the specializations and functions of each tissue

Levels of Structural Organization

Chemical atoms combined to form molecules Cellular cells are made of molecules Tissue consists of similar types of cells Organ made up of different types of tissues Organ system consists of different organs that work closely together Organismal made up of the organ systems

Levels of Structural Organization

Smooth muscle cell Molecules 2 Cellular level Cells are made up of molecules Atoms 1 Chemical level Atoms combine to form molecules

Smooth muscle tissue 3 Tissue level Tissues consist of similar types of cells Cardiovascular system

Heart Blood vessels

Epithelial tissue Smooth muscle tissue Connective tissue 4 Organ level Organs are made up of different types of tissues

Blood vessel (organ)

6 Organismal level The human organism is made up of many organ systems

5 Organ system level Organ systems consist of different organs that work together closely Figure 1.1

Composition of the body:

Major elements: (96%)
Carbon (C ), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), Hydrogen (H)

Lesser elements make up 3.9% of the body and include:

Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sulfur (S), Sodium (Na), Chlorine (Cl), Magnesium (Mg), Iodine (I), and Iron (Fe)

Trace elements make up less than 0.01% of the body

They are required in minute amounts, and are found as part of enzymes

The atomic level is one unit of an element Atoms combine to make molecules
H2O CO2 O2

Molecules: (more than one atom)

Molecules containing carbon plus other atoms are organic Larger molecules (macromolecules) are built of linked molecules Categories: Carbohydrates (built from simple sugars) Lipids (built from fatty acids) Protein (built from amino acids) Nucleic acids (built from nucleotides)

Molecules and macromoleculesa way to think of them

We eat mostly macromolecules, and digest them to molecules We use molecules to build components of our tissues Each molecule and macromolecule has uses and chemical properties

Carbohydrates- simple sugars

Contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (water around the carbon) Their major function - source of cellular energy (used in metabolism) also used to build more complicated molecules

Carbohydrates:
Disaccharides or double sugars (also used as energy or food for cells)

Table sugar

Beer sugar
Milk sugar

 Polysaccharides or polymers (chains) of simple sugars- uses:

energy storage in cells attached to cell surfaces

Carbohydrates:

Plants store starch Animals store glycogen

Lipids: built from fatty acids

Contain C, H, and a little O, called hydrocarbons Greasy, oily, waxy molecules Examples: - cholesterol
Neutral fats or triglycerides (adipose- protects organs) Phospholipids (cell membranes, communication) Steroids (hormones like estrogen, testoseterone) Eicosanoids (signals) Ear wax (protection) Skin oils (lubrication) Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A,D,E,K)

Adipose (Triglycerides)
Composed of three fatty acids bonded to a glycerol molecule Used to STORE energy (fat)

Fatty acids are hydrophobicor water-hating!

Phospholipids
Two fatty acid groups (tails) and a phosphorus group (head) Main use- major component of cell membranes

Water-liking end Polar or hydrophilic

Water-hating end Nonpolar or hydrophobic

Lipids made from one fatty acid

Cholesterol- all animal cells have this in the membrane Steroids modified cholesterol- estrogen, progesterone, testosterone (hormones) Eicosanoids 20-carbon fatty acids found in cell membranes

Amino Acids build proteins

Building blocks of protein, containing an amino group and a carboxyl group Amino acid structure: central C; amino group, acid group, and variable group

Proteins have two main shapes: Fibrous and Globular

Fibrous proteins (rods)
Extended and string-like proteins Examples: keratin, elastin, collagen, and certain contractile fibers found in muscles

Globular proteins (rounded)

Compact, spherical proteins Examples: antibodies, non-steroid hormones, and enzymes; hemoglobin (oxygen carrier in the blood)

Properties of proteins in our body

Proteins do basically all the work Many shapes and functions
Surfaces of cells (communication, recognition, move compoounds into the cell) Enzymes (metabolism) Carriers (transport fats and oxygen in blood) Change size: movement (form muscles) Support and structure (form cartilage, bone, hair, fingernails) Immune defenses (antibodies, signals) & more

Nucleotides build nucleic acids

Two major classes DNA and RNA Composed of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and phosphorus The nucleotide is composed of a N-containing base, a pentose sugar, and a phosphate group Five nitrogen bases nucleotide structure adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U)

Structure of DNA

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Double-stranded helical molecule found in the nucleus of the cell Replicates itself before the cell divides, ensuring genetic continuity Provides instructions for protein synthesis Inherited from parents in chromosomes

Uses for nucleotides and nucleic acids:

Nucleic acids
DNA (information storage) RNA (information usage- genes to build proteins)

Nucleotides
Energy transfer (ATP) Build nucleic acids