Compounds and Food Chemistry

What happens when two elements bond? A compound is formed. Compounds are classified into two categories- covalent and ionic.

Quick Glance: We Are Bonding!

In this next lesson, you will learn about what happens when two elements bond. A compound is formed. Compounds are classified into two categories- Covalent or Ionic. Covalent bonds share electrons from outer shells to form a tight bond. Ionic bonds are quite different. They are attracted by a type of force called electrovalent. These types of bonds occur in nature and define how compounds function and explain how food is processed in our body.

Explore: Compounds

The basics of an atom and elements are fresh on your mind. You have a basic understanding of how these items work and how mixtures and substances deliver important chemical reactions needed in our food supply. Another combination of materials that play a dynamic role in our food supply are compounds. A compound is a combination of different elements.

Click on each type of compound below to learn more.

These elements are held together by chemical bonds that are quite difficult to break. These bonds form as a result of the sharing or exchange of electrons among the atoms. For example, one of the most plentiful elements on earth is a compound, H2O (water.)

Lets look a little more closely at the two types of bonds that hold atoms together, covalent and Ionic bonds.

Covalent Bonds

Covalent bonding occurs when pairs of electrons are shared by atoms. Atoms will covalently bond with other atoms in order to gain more stability, which is gained by forming a full electron shell. By sharing their outer most (valence) electrons, atoms can fill up their outer electron shell and gain stability.

Ionic Bonds

Ionic bonding is the complete transfer of valence electron(s) between atoms. It is a type of chemical bond that generates two oppositely charged ions. In ionic bonds, the metal loses electrons to become a positively charged cation, whereas the nonmetal accepts those electrons to become a negatively charged anion.

Covalent and Ionic Bonds...What's The Difference?

Click on each type of bond below to learn more.

These bonds play an important role in the chemistry of food. This bonding process creates energy. They help drive physical and chemical reactions in the food we eat. Chemical reactions in food are an irreversible chemical reaction involving the rearrangement of atoms of one or more substances. A great example of this is when a food goes from a raw or uncooked form to a cooked form. Bread turns brown as it is toasted. Sugars in the bread break down to form carbon. This change needs heat energy from the toaster, and it cannot be reversed. It rearranges the molecules. Changes in food can also take place in a physical form. A physical change is a type of change in which the form of matter is altered but one substance is not transformed into another.

Challenge

So do you think you understand compounds and food chemistry? Try the challenge below to test your knowledge.

Takeaway: What Is Your Takeaway?

So, how do organic compounds play a role in the food we eat?

Do you eat protein? Do you eat carbs or fats? I am sure that you answered “yes“ to both of these questions. Proteins contain organic compounds called amino acids. Your body uses a combination of 20 different amino acids to build and repair cells and tissue. Fats or Lipids have their place in the diet as well. We need a certain amount of fat for chemical processes in our body. Omega 3 and 6 are important lipids we need for body function. What about carbs? Carbohydrates serve as a source of energy for your cells. Our body metabolizes carbohydrates into glycogen and glucose, which provide energy to keep your body running. So, organic compounds are quite important for our survival.

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