BiochemistryAn Introduction to the Chemistry of Life for Biology Students

What is Life Made of?Physical and Chemical sciences alone may not completely explain the nature of life, but they at least provide the essential framework for such an explanation. All students of life must have a fundamental understanding of organic chemistry and biochemistry.

Organic ChemistryOrganic chemistry is the study of Carbon compounds.Organic compounds are compounds composed primarily of a Carbon skeleton.All living things are composed of organic compounds.

Organic ChemistryWhat makes Carbon Special? Why is Carbon so different from all the other elements on the periodic table?

The answer derives from the ability of Carbon atoms to bond together to form long chains and rings.

Organic Chemistry

Organic ChemistryCarbon can covalently bond with up to four other atoms.

Carbon can form immensely diverse compounds, from simple to complex.Methane with 1 Carbon atomDNA with tens of Billions of Carbon atoms

BiochemistryBiochemistry is a special branch of organic chemistry that deals with matter inside the living cell called Protoplasm.

Protoplasm is an enormously complex mixture of organic compounds where high levels of chemical activity occur.

BiochemistryHow much biochemistry do you need to know for this course?1. You need to know the structure of organic molecules important to major biological processes. 2. You will be expected to learn the basic biochemical processes of major cell functions, such as photosynthesis, respiration, and protein synthesis.

Primary Organic CompoundsCarbohydratesLipidsProteinsNucleic Acids

You are expected to learn the structure and functions of these organic compounds:

Polymers ands MonomersEach of these types of molecules are polymers that are assembled from single units called monomers.Each type of macromolecule is an assemblage of a different type of monomer.

MonomersMacromoleculeCarbohydrates

Lipids

Proteins

Nucleic acidsMonomerMonosaccharide

Not always polymers; Hydrocarbon chainsAmino acids

Nucleotides

How do monomers form polymers?In condensation reactions (also called dehydration synthesis), a molecule of water is removed from two monomers as they are connected together.

HydrolysisIn a reaction opposite to condensation, a water molecule can be added (along with the use of an enzyme) to split a polymer in two.

CarbohydratesCarbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, always in a ratio of 1:2:1. Carbohydrates are the key source of energy used by living things.The building blocks of carbohydrates are sugars, such as glucose and fructose.

CarbohydratesWhat do the roots mono-, di-, oligo-, and poly mean?Each of these roots can be added to the word saccharide to describe the type of carbohydrate you have.

How do two monosaccharides combine to make a polysaccharide?

Polysaccharides

LipidsLipids are molecules that consist of long hydrocarbon chains. Attaching the three chains together is usually a glycerol molecule. Lipids are NONpolar.

Saturated vs. Unsaturated Fat

ProteinsProteins are building blocks of structures called amino acids. Proteins are what your DNA codes to make (we will talk about this in great detail in a month or so).A peptide bond forms between amino acids by dehydration synthesis.

Levels of Protein Structure

Protein StructureLevelPrimary

Secondary

Tertiary

QuaternaryDescriptionThe amino acid sequenceHelices and Sheets

Disulfide bridges

Multiple polypeptides connect