Biochemistry Notes

Biochemistry Biochemistry Study of science that explores how properties of CHEMICALS make life possible

Inorganic Compounds Organic Compounds Biochemistry Compounds that do not contain carbon Compounds that do contain carbon All living organisms are made of carbon

Biochemistry Inorganic Compound Water Most important inorganic compound for living organisms Excellent solvent Polar compound: opposite charges at each end of the molecule High heat capacity: can absorb and release a lot of heat/energy before changing temperatures

Biochemistry Organic Compounds Carbon Carbon forms the structural backbone of all organic molecules. Can bond with 4 other atoms OR can bond with other carbons to form long chains or rings.

Biochemistry Basic units that repeat over and over large compound formed from combinations of many monomers Organic Compounds Monomers Polymer

Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic acids Biochemistry Four major kinds of polymers (macromolecules)… Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Nucleic acids

Biochemistry 1)Carbohydrates Contain C, H2, and O in the same ratio as in water Energy source (sugars and starches) Structural and cellular support Monosaccharide 1)Carbohydrates Used for Basic Monomer

Biochemistry Monosaccharide Glucose and Fructose Simple sugars Glucose and Fructose Same molecular formula C6H12O6

Biochemistry Disaccharide Polysaccharide Double sugar molecule Largest carbohydrate Starch: Stored food (glucose) Sugar: Quick energy source

2)Lipids Biochemistry Fats, Oils, and Waxes Contains C2, H2, and O2 * Basic Monomer Fats, Oils, and Waxes Contains C2, H2, and O2 Insoluble in water Storage of energy Helps make up the cell membrane Glycerol + Fatty Acid

Biochemistry 3)Proteins *Basic Monomer Basic building material of all living things Examples: hair, nails, blood, muscle, skin Sources: egg whites, gelatin, meat Amino Acid

Biochemistry Amino Acids (aa) Each has a distinctive characteristic Same basic structure: Four groups attached to a central carbon atom Acid Group (COO) Amino Group (NH3) Hydrogen Atom (H+) “R-Group”  Determines the amino acid

Biochemistry Amino Acids (aa) 20 different naturally occurring amino acids 10 produced by the human body Held together by peptide bonds Polypeptide: 3 or more amino acids bonded together

Biochemistry Enzymes They are proteins Like a key that fits into only one lock The lock is the substrate The key is the enzyme Active Site: Place where the enzyme and substrate bond Catalyst: Enzymes that speeds up a reaction

Biochemistry Carry instructions for cellular activity 4) Nucleic Acids *Basic Monomer Carry instructions for cellular activity Nucleotide

Biochemistry Deoxyribonucleic Acid DNA Blueprint of instructions that get transmitted from generation to generation Found in the nucleus only!!!

Biochemistry Ribonucleic Acid RNA Transfers and reads the instructions  then makes proteins Found in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm

Biochemistry Three types of RNA: Messenger RNA Transfer RNA Ribosomal RNA Three types of RNA: mRNA tRNA rRNA

Biochemistry There are four main bases in nucleic acids: But…in RNA, Thymine is replaced with… Adenine (A) Guanine (G) Thymine (T) Cytosine (C) Uracil (U)