BCHM 3050: 1.1-1.2 The Chemical Basis of Life

biochemistry

study of molecules and chemical reactions in living things

• helps to understand how molecules cooperate/combine

major themes of biochemistry

• living organisms are made of macromolecules

• organisms acquire, transform, store, and use energy

• biological info must be transmitted from one gen to the next

why do living organisms contain carbon?

• it’s a common element

• 4 valence electrons

• binds to other atoms and can form complex backbones

• forms covalent bonds

functional group (R)

small group of atoms that determine the properties of organic/carbon-based compounds

hydroxyl group

makes more water soluble

methyl group

very stable

carboxyl group

weak acid

amino group

weak base

phosphate group

high energy

4 major types of biomolecules

amino acids, carbs, nucleotides, lipids

amino acids contain…

a central carbon, amino group, carboxylic acid group, side chain (R group), and hydrogen

carbohydrates are…

monosaccharides/sugars

• (CH₂O)_n where n>3

• contain multiple -OH groups

Nucleotide components

1. 5C sugar (ribose or deoxyribose)

2. nitrogenous base (AGCTU)

3. phosphate groups (more groups=more energy)

lipids…

(aka fats) that have a variety of structures, most are nonpolar with hydrocarbon skeletons

• cholesterol is an important one in human health

monomers

single biomolecule unit that acts a building blocks, but can exist independently

polymer

long chain of monomers

dehydration synthesis/condensation:

reaction that form polymers by chemically combining monomeric units in a head-to-tail fashion

• 2 OH groups react→H₂O is released

hydrolysis:

larger polymer is broken down to form smaller products by adding H₂O

• chemical bonds broken→energy released

lipid subunits

glycerol and fatty acids

carbohydrates subunits

monosaccharide

protein subunits

amino acid

nucleic acid subunits

nucleotide

polypeptide sequences are always…

drawn and read from the amino end to the carboxyl end

• types of side chains determine the proteins conformation/function