Introduction to the basic : what is biochemistry.pdf
- 1. Biochemistry and the Organization of Cells
- 2. Learning outcomes Students should be able to; Define biochemistry and biomolecules Recognize various form of biomolecules Identify functional groups for specific biomolecules Understand thermodynamics Identify the differences between two laws of thermodynamics
- 3. Basic themes • How does biochemistry describe life processes? Living things are diverse Two things in common • All cells use the same types of biomolecules • Use energy
- 4. How did living things originate • Since all living cells uses the same biomolecules and energy, speculating on the origins of life is a worthwhile question – How did the components of our bodies do the things that they do? – What are the basic molecules of life? • H2O (water), CH4 (methane), CO2, NH3 (ammonia),
- 5. What is biochemistry? • The study of chemical and chemical processes in any living organism Biomolecules are molecules that are made by living organisms such as; Proteins DNA Carbohydrates Lipids
- 6. Chemical Foundations of Biochemistry Cellular apparatus of living organisms is made up of carbon compounds – thus biomolecules are part of organic chemistry Organic chemistry – the study of compounds of carbon and hydrogen and their derivatives. Functional groups of molecules
- 7. What are functional groups? • Specific groups of atoms or bonds within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic chemical reactions of those molecules. • The reactions of molecules are based on the reactions of their respective functional groups.
- 8. Functional group: an atom or group of atoms that shows characteristic physical and chemical properties
- 9. Why are biomolecules special ? • Living cells include very large molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides these biomolecules are polymers (Greek: poly + meros, many + parts) they are derived from monomers (Greek: mono + meros, single + part) amino acids proteins nucleotides nucleic acids monosaccharides polysaccharides
- 10. Why are biomolecules special ? • Enzymes: a class of proteins that are biocatalysts the catalytic effectiveness of a given enzyme depends on its amino acid sequence • Genetic code: the relationship between the nucleotide sequence in nucleic acids and the amino acid sequence in proteins theories of the origin of life consider how such a coding system might have arisen
- 12. How cell use energy? • Light from the sun is the ultimate source of energy for all life on earth. photosynthetic organisms use light energy to drive the energy-requiring synthesis of carbohydrates. non-photosynthetic organisms consume these carbohydrates and use them as energy sources.
- 13. • The energetics of a chemical reaction if the change in free energy (ΔG) is negative (free energy decreases), the reaction is spontaneous as written – exergonic (energy is released) if the change in free energy (ΔG) is positive (free energy increases), the reaction will not occur as written unless energy is supplied from an external source – endergonic (require additional energy)
- 14. – At equilibrium, (ΔG) = 0. • Spontaneous reaction is any reaction that takes place with no outside intervention – does not mean fast, can take a long time to complete.