molecules to metabolism

artificial synthesis of urea

some biological compounds can be synthesized outside of living things like urea

this led to the falsification of vitalism (organic compounds are produced only under the influence of some mysterious force existing in living organisms)

carbon

carbon is unique

carbon makes 4 covalent bonds because it has 4 valence electrons

it does this because it needs to achieve stable octet

forms chains and rings with other carbon atoms

carbs, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids

what things interact to carry out metabolic activity?

carbohyrates

CHO

base is monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, ribose)

disaccharides include maltose, lactose

polysaccharides include starch and cellulose

proteins

CHON and maybe S

base unit is amino acid

enzymes, antibodies, peptide hormones

lipids

CHO and maybe P

base unit: glycerol and fatty acids

phospholipids, triglycerides, steroids (cholesterol)

fewer oxygens than carbs

lipids have

nucleic acids

CHONP

base unit is nucleotide

ATP, DNA, RNA

metabolism

sum total of all enzyme catalyzed reactions in an organism

enzymes

biological catalysts that increase reaction rate by lowering the required activation energy

provide a surface for reactants to combine that requires less energy

they take part in, but are not used up by, the reaction

catabolism

hydrolysis reaction

digestive enzymes hydrolyze the reactions using water

substrates are larger, smaller products, enzymes and water is used

anabolism

a condensation reaction that removes water to join two molecules together

smaller substrates, larger products, water is produced, enzymes are used