CP Biology:Basic Biochemistry

Organic Chemistry

Organic 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 Chemistry

What 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

Draw the orbital diagram for the carbon atom.

Organic Chemistry

Carbon can covalently bond with up to four other atoms.

Carbon can form immensely diverse compounds, from simple to complex.

Methane with 1 Carbon atom

DNA with tens of Billions of Carbon atoms

What is Biochemistry?

Biochemistry is the study of the chemical interactions of living things.

Biochemists study the structures and physical properties of biological molecules. Often are involved in the manufacture of new

drugs and medical treatments

Elements in Living Organisms The most common elements found

in living organisms include:Carbon (C)Hydrogen (H)Nitrogen (N)Oxygen (O)Phosphorus (P)Sulfur (S)Remember CHNOPS

Biochemistry: where chemistry and biology meet head-on

Living things require millions of chemical reactions within the body, just to survive.

Metabolism = all the chemical reactions occurring in the body.

Organic molecules: usually associated with living things. always contain CARBON. are “large” molecules, with many atoms always have covalent bonds (share electrons)

Macromolecules of Cells

Macro = large

4 types of macromolecules in cellular biology

1. Carbohydrates2. Lipids3. Proteins4. Nucleic Acids

Macromolecule #1: Carbohydrates

Made up of simple sugars or groups of sugars

Purposes: energy and structure

Includes three types: Monosaccharide- only 1 sugar –quick energy Ex.

glucose Disaccharide - 2 sugars (monosaccharides) linked

together – short-term energy storage Ex. sucrose Polysaccharide - many sugars linked together.

long-term energy storage & form structures

Macromolecule #1: Carbohydrates Polysaccharide Examples:

Glycogen—glucose polymer stored for future energy needs. Found in liver, muscle and sperm, etc.

Cellulose—glucose polymer used to form fibers for plant structures. Humans can’t digest (fiber). Most abundant organic molecule.

Chitin—glucose polymer for exoskeletons of some crustaceans & insects.

Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides

Macromolecule #2: Lipids

Insoluble in water (think oil & water)

4 types: Triglycerides (long-term energy storage, insulation)

Ex. fats & oils

Phospholipids (primary component of cell membrane)

Steroids (cell signaling)

Ex. cholesterol, testosterone, estrogen, etc. Waxes (protection, prevents water loss)

Ex. Used mainly by plants, but also bees, some furry animals and humans.

Triglycerides

Phospholipids

Steroids

Waxes

Macromolecule #3: Proteins

The building blocks of proteins are AMINO ACIDS. There are only 20 types of Amino Acids.

There are millions of different proteins, and they are all built from different combinations of the 20 amino acids.

Amino acids join together to form peptides, polypeptides, and polypeptide chains.

Macromolecule #3: Proteins

Probably the most complicated of all biological molecules.

Serve the most varied purposes, including:

Support structural proteins (e.g., keratin, collagen)

Enzymes speed up chemical reactions

Transport cell membranes channels, transporters in blood (e.g., Hemoglobin)

Defense antibodies of the immune system

Hormones cell signaling (e.g., insulin)

Motion contractile proteins (e.g., actin, myosin)

CollagenCollagen

Antibodies

Cellular Transport

actin & actin & myosin fibers myosin fibers

in musclesin muscles

Motion

Macromolecule #4: Nucleic Acids

Nucleotides: building blocks of nucleic acids. Each nucleotide contains

(a) phosphate molecule, (b) nitrogenous base, and (c) 5-carbon sugar

Several types of nucleic acids, including: DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid

Genetic material, double stranded helix blueprint for protein synthesis

RNA: ribonucleic acid Genetic material, single stranded Helps make proteins

DNADNA

Nucleotide Structure