Organic Molecules Introduction

First let's do a little catch up!!
Friday we did have the following daily questions
Friday September 14th 
Wednesday and Thursday of last week you guys didn't see me.  On Wednesday you got down all the notes for the next section and on Thursday you started into a supplemental reading from the National Institute of Health called "The chemistry of health".  This will help extend your knowledge of the chemistry of life that we have talked about into other areas such as "natures products" and pharmaceuticals.  

Water is able to resist drastic changes in temperature because it has a high Specific heat (heat capacity)

Why is this important to us? (As humans)

 Since we are made up of approximately 70-75% water, this fact allows us to minimize major temperature fluxuations in our body temperature.

Water is considered a "Universal Solvent"  This is because of how it disassociates when in solution. What two ions does water break into?

H+ (Hydrogen ion) and OH- (Hydroxide Ion)

Monday September 17^th 

Using your “Chemistry of health” answer the following questions.

What is one importance of Fats (lipids) in our bodies?

They provide insulation, they are major sources of energy storage, they are a key part of the cell membrane as well as many others that we will be discussing in the next couple days.

What are sugars made up of? (it’s the reason carbohydrates are harder to make than proteins)

Saccharides (sugars)

What is the role of carbohydrates attached to the cell membrane?

They act as "name tags" identifying each cell (again - we will be talking about this in great depth over the next couple days and this specific example will be referred to when we learn about the cell membrane)

After going over these daily questions I had you guys talked a little about the molecule Capsaisin and told you my Jalapeno fingers story.  BEWARE!!!  Do NOT stick your fingers in your eyes after cutting up Jalapeno's!!  WHY???? Well take a look at the following molecule.

This "little" molecule is made up of a LONG change of Carbon and hydrogen. We will see in the next couple days that this is a very typical lipid molecule.  Here is the thing with Lipids - they are NON-polar, therefore the watery "saline" solution that is produced by our eyes (Also known as TEARS) will NOT break this down.  So therefore it will hang out in your eye for a while...... NOT a good time!   

Alright - after THAT fun story I had you guys watch one of the "Crash Courses" on Biological molecules.  I asked you to refer to the notes you have already taken and add any key ideas or terms you heard him describe.  We will be going through these notes together in class over the next couple days and I hope to get into a couple activities.  Half Day for you guys tomorrow!!