3A_Biomolecules

-Fats (Lipids) store energy for the organism -Glucose, Starch also store energy? - Living organisms use matter and energy to build and maintain body structures -Heart pumps blood to maintain oxygen level in body (and eventually makes sure the body doesn't die) -Protein to build muscles -Calcium to form bones -Snake needs to eat certain foods to break it down to form new skin Living organisms obtain and process matter and energy -Plants process solar energy into starch -Digestive system digests food and absorbs nutrients The structure of a molecule always dictates its function -Lipids are made up of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen. Even though they are made up of the same elements, their structure varies for different types of fats. For example some fats have double bonds between the Carbon making it harder to break up. The structure and function of biological living systems obeys the laws of thermodynamics. -Second law states that energy can neither be lost or destroyed and can only be converted and in biological living systems, energy is always converted from one form to another. For example in plants, solar energy is converted into chemical potential energy as food for the plant. Energy is converted and not lost or destroyed. Communities of organisms depend on the cycling of matter and the flow of energy -Water cycle: needed by all life on Earth The constant **flow** of energy and **cycling** of matter in the biosphere leads to a balanced or steady state. (*Energy cannot form a cycle) -Water cycle makes sure that the amount of water in various forms in the world remains constant for example water bodies continually gain and lose water through evaporation and precipitation.
 * Energy** is stored in the organization of matter

Why is the carbon molecule suitable for life as we know it? Bonding possibilities for Carbon is limitless as Carbon (4 valence electrons). It has a unique capacity to form **different bonds** (ie single bonds, double bonds, triple bonds) with **itself and others** due to its 4 free valence electrons. Why is the chemistry of water suitable for life? (All its properties...) Are we what we eat? (I guess so)

Are we just chemicals? (Actually I don't know how to answer this question.)

Homework: Carbohydrates