3A_Biomolecules

//**Living systems are complex and highly organized, and they require matter and energy to maintain this organization.**// (e.g.: Fats in our bodies are stored, and used and converted into energy. Fats are matter, and hence energy is stored in the organisation of matter in our bodies.) (e.g. - Our bodies use carbohydrates, fats, proteins etc. as a form of energy to fuel processes such as maintaining body structure, growth, cell reproduction etc. - In specific, our bodies use proteins to build muscles and calcium to build and strengthen bones. - Snakes need to consume certain foods when they shed their skin, so that they can produce new skin.) (e.g. (e.g. The (E.g. Energy doesn't form a cycle, as when we eat, chemical energy is converted to mechanical energy, heat energy etc. However, the energy does flow, but cannot be guaranteed to return back to our bodies after being converted. Matter is a cycle as all the nutrients and matter move in a cycle, eg. carbon cycle)
 * ENERGY, MATTER & ORGANISATION -** BIOMOLECULES
 * **Energy** is stored in the organization of matter
 * Living organisms use matter and energy to build and maintain body structures
 * Living organisms obtain and process matter and energy
 * The structure of a molecule always dictates its function.
 * The structure and function of biological living systems obeys the laws of thermodynamics.
 * Communities of organisms depend on the cycling of matter and the flow of energy
 * The constant flow of energy and cycling of matter in the biosphere leads to a balanced or steady state.

This balance is achieved through various biogeochemical cycles and the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration - //focus is on ENERGY

Questions: // Carbon molecules are the basis of all forms of life on earth. Complex molecules are made up of carbon bonded with other elements, especially oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen, and carbon is able to bond with all of these because of its four valence electrons. The reason why carbon is suitable as there it has four valence bonds and the e nergy required to make or break a bond is just at an appropriate level for building molecules which are not only stable, but also reactive. The fact that carbon atoms bond readily to other carbon atoms allows for the building of arbitrarily long and complex molecules. -Carbon is good to use as it can form single, double or triple bonds with EACH carbon molecule, allowing it to be stable. - It can form bonds with not only others, but also with itself. This allows it to form a chain of molecules, a chain. C l C l C l C l C l C <=Chain of carbon molecules. Hydrogen can be bonded at either end. The property that carbon can bond with itself allows it to form long chains of carbohydrates etc.
 * 1) Are we just chemicals?
 * 2) Are we what we eat?
 * 3) Why is the carbon molecule suitable for life as we know it?

4. Why is the chemistry of water suitable for life?