Introduction to Biochemistry What’s in our body?

What is biochemistry? As the name indicates, biochemistry is a hybrid science: Biology is the science of living organisms and chemistry is the science of atoms and molecules, so biochemistry is the science of the atoms and molecules in living organisms. Its domain includes the entire living world with the unifying interest in the chemical structures and reactions that occur in living systems. Where can you find biochemistry? All through science, medicine, and agriculture.

Wait, this is a biology class… Yes, but in our body chemical reactions occur all the time. Our cells contain organic molecules which are made up of elements.

Most Common Elements in our Bodies Most common elements in living things are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. These four elements constitute about 95% of your body weight. Chemistry of carbon allows the formation of an enormous variety of organic molecules.   Organic molecules have carbon and hydrogen; determine structure and function of living things. Inorganic molecules do not contain carbon and hydrogen together; inorganic molecules (e.g., NaCl) can play important roles in living things.  

Elements in Living Matter Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen Nitrogen Phosphorous

Hydrogen Bonding A weak attraction (bond), but are collectively strong when many of them form. Water They form and break much more easily than covalent or ionic bonds.

Properties of Water

Water Water is the single most abundant compound in most living things. Cells contain about 70-90% water.   A water molecule is polar because there is an uneven distribution of electrons between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms. Polar molecules (with +/- charges) are attracted to water molecules and are hydrophilic.   Nonpolar molecules are repelled by water and do not dissolve in water; are hydrophobic.

Cohesion An attraction between molecules of the same substances. Because of hydrogen bonding, water is extremely cohesive. Water’s cohesion causes molecules of the same surface of water to be drawn inward, which is why drops of water form beads on a smooth surface. Cohesion also explains why some insects and spiders can walk on a pond’s surface. Makes water “sticky”.

Adhesion An attraction between molecules of different substances. Adhesion between water and a glass cylinder causes water to rise in a narrow tube against the force of gravity. This effect is called capillary action.

Capillary Action Capillary action is the movement of water with in the spaces of porous material due to the force of adhesion, cohesion, and surface tension. Examples: When you clean up water with a napkin. The liquid adhere to the paper fibers and moves into the space between and inside of the fibers. Roots obtaining water .

Marcomolecules Biomolecules

Monomer – one part Polymer – many parts

How are biomolecules Made? Dehydration Synthesis Also called “condensation reaction” Forms polymers by combining monomers by “removing water”. HO H H2O HO H

How are Biomolecules separate? Hydrolysis Separates monomers by “adding water” HO H H2O HO H

Carbohydrates An organic compound that consist of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio. Example: C6H12O6 Main types are: Monosaccharide Disaccharides Polysaccharide “Saccharide” means sugars Ending in –ose also mean sugar Function: Cells use glucose as an short term energy source or as structural material.

Lipids Fatty, oily or waxy organic compounds that are insoluble (incapable of being dissolved) in water. Lipid provide long term energy storage and are the structural foundation of the cell membrane. Structure: Carboxyl group (carbon & oxygen) joined to a backbone of four to thirty-six carbon atoms. Fats are lipids with one, two, or three fatty acid that dangle like tails from a small alcohol call glycerol. Triglycerides – fats with 3 tails. Phospholipids – We will discuss in the cell membrane. Waxes are components which repel water. Bird’s feathers and plants cuticle.

Proteins An organic compound of one or more amino acid. An amino acid is a small organic compound with an amine group, a carboxyl group (the acid), and one or more atoms called the “R” group. Amino acids key elements are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and NITROGEN. Protein synthesis involves bonding amino acids into chains called polypeptides. Proteins make up hair, feathers, hooves, nails, etc. Enzyme are proteins that speed up a chemical reaction. End in –ase.

Levels of Proteins Primary – Amino acid sequence Secondary – Structure emerges as a chain twists, bend, loop, and fold. Becomes 3D Tertiary – Occurs in the ER of the cell. A chain’s coils will fold and twist into a stable, functional domain such as pockets. Quaternary – Two or more polypeptide chains join to become one.

Nucleic Acids Large molecules essential for all known forms of life. They include DNA and RNA. Nucleotides Small organic molecules, various kinds of which function as energy carries, enzyme helpers, chemical messengers, and subunits of DNA and RNA. DNA: Deoxyribose sugar, a base, and a phosphate group. RNA: Ribose sugar, a base, and a phosphate group.

Name that Molecule!

Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8WJ2KENlK0 &feature=youtu.be