THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE CELL

GlucoseStarch

LipidsProteins

PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL

Organic Vs Inorganic

Organic substances are any substances that contain a carbon atom in their make up.

e.g. a Glucose molecule

C6H12O6

CELL COMPOSITIONThe cells is made up of five major groups of compounds

(ORGANIC)

1. Lipids (fats)2. Proteins3. Carbohydrates4. Nucleic acid

(INORGANIC)5. Vitamins6. Minerals

Each type of compound plays a special role in cell health and survival

Lipids

Fats: If solid at room temp

Oils: If liquid at room temp

There are Four types of lipids• Saturated

(single bonded carbon atoms, difficult to separate, can be heated to high temps e.g. cooking oils)

• Unsaturated(double bonded carbon atoms, easily broken down)

• Polyunsaturated (many double bonded carbon atoms, easily broken down)

• PhospholipidsOne end of the fatty acid is replaced by phosphate groupThe phosphate head is Hydrophilic (water loving: dissolves into water)Lipid end is Hydrophobic (water hating: resists dissolving into water)major part of the cell membrane

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LIPIDS

Polyunsaturated

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PHOSPHOLIPIDS

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PROTEINS

• 2 Main types: Transport and Structural• Proteins are made up of Carbon, Hydrogen,

Oxygen, Nitrogen and often Sulphur• Proteins are created from combinations of

amino acids (20 types of amino acids)• The body produces most amino acids,

however 8 must be included into the diet or serious protein deficiencies can occur

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PROTEIN TYPES• TRANSPORT PROTEINS

• Membrane proteins the control the movement of substances across membranes

• Protein channels act as gates, opening and closing allowing movement of substances in and out

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PROTEIN TYPES

STRUCTURAL PROTEINS

• Major role is to act as a connective agent• Link membranes, cytoplasm and nucleus allowing for

communication• Keratin (insoluble in water): found in hairs, feathers,

nails, etc• Collagen (most abundant substance in vertebrates):

Humans largely held together by collagen, bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, skin

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VITAMINS• Essential for metabolic

processes and converting food into energy (B,C)

• Some are water soluble (stored in water) therefore must be eaten everyday or they are urinated out of the body

• Some stored in fatty tissues (A,D,E,K) These vitamins can accumulate and become dangerous

• Inorganic

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See page 37 of text for clearer image

Minerals

• Main function is to provide strength• Inorganic• Incorporated into many structures of the body

including teeth, bones, blood, etc• Over 20 are required

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Carbohydrates

•Can be found in various forms parts of the cell including the Chloroplasts, Mitochondria, cytoplasm and cell wall

•Functions include -Energy storage- Strengthening of the cell- Provision of an exterior cover

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Nucleic acid

• Organic compound • Examples include RNA and DNA• Can be found in the Nucleus, Mitochondria,

Ribosome and cytoplasm• Function is to store hereditary information

and to pass instruction to other organelles

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