2.1 Molecules to Metabolism

metabolism

The totality of all enzyme-catalyzed reactions in a cell or organism

Anabolism

The build up of complex molecules from more simple subunits (ie. monomers)

• requires condensation reactions to proceed (water is produced as a by-product)

• ex= Photosynthesis

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules into more simple subunits (monomers)

• requires hydrolysis reactions to proceed (water is consumed as a part of the reaction)

• ex= Cell respiration

• CATA BOOM

Organic vs Inorganic molecules

Organic molecules contain carbon & are synthesized by living organisms (anything else is INorganic). Exceptions include carbides, carbonates, oxides of carbon & cyanides

How the structure of carbon contributes to the formation of organic life

Carbon forms the basis of organic life due to its capacity to form large molecules. Carbon has 4 valence electrons & can form 4 covalent bonds. This allows it to function as a stable backbone in a wide variety of compounds

Theory of vitalism & how it was falsified

Vitalism proposed that organic molecules could ONLY be synthesized by living organisms.

It was falsified by Frederick Woehler in 1828. He was able to synthesize urea (organic molecule) from an inorganic salt under laboratory conditions

monomer

A recurring subunits within a more complex polymer

4 different types of Biomacromolecules

CARBOHYDRATE

Monomer: monosaccharide

Polymer: polysaccharide

Bond Involved: Glycosidic Linkage

LIPID

Monomer: Glycerol + fatty acids (3x)

Polymer: Triglyceride

Bond Involved: Ester linkage

PROTEIN

Monomer: amino acid

Polymer: polypeptide

Bond Involved: peptide bond

NUCLEIC ACID

Monomer: nucleotide

Polymer: DNA or RNA

Bond Involved: Phosphodiester bond

chemical formula for unsaturated fatty acid

CH3-(CH2)n-COOH

Glucose diagram

Ribose diagram

How the following may be identified based on their chemical formula

Carbohydrate: Have C,H,O in a common ratio according to formula (CH2O)n

Protein: May contain sulphur (some amino acids include sulphur)

Nucleic acid: Will contain phosphorous in relatively large amounts (nucleotides include a phosphate group)