Introduction to Biochemistry

What is Biochemistry? Biochemistry = chemistry of life. Biochemists use physical and chemical principles to explain biology at the molecular level. Basic principles of biochemistry are common to all living organism

How does biochemistry impact you? Medicine Agriculture Industrial applications Environmental applications

Principle Areas of Biochemistry Structure and function of biological macromolecules Metabolism – anabolic and catabolic processes. Molecular Genetics – How life is replicated. Regulation of protein synthesis

Life Before Biochemistry

Once upon a time, a long long time ago….. Vitalism: idea that substances and processes associated with living organisms did not behave according to the known laws of physics and chemistry Evidence: Only living things have a high degree of complexity Only living things extract, transform and utilize energy from their environment Only living things are capable of self assembly and self replication

Origins of Biochemistry: A challenge to “Vitalism.” Famous Dead Biochemist!

Fallacy #1: Biochemicals can only be produced by living organisms 1828 Friedrich Wohler Dead Biochemist #1

Glucose + Dead Yeast = Alcohol Fallacy #2: Complex bioconversion of chemical substances require living matter Dead Biochemists #2 1897 Eduard Buchner Glucose + Dead Yeast = Alcohol

Fallacy #2: Complex bioconversion of chemical substances require living matter Dead Biochemists #3 Emil Fischer

Fallacy #2: Complex bioconversion of chemical substances require living matter Dead Biochemists #4 1926 J.B. Sumner

Findings of other famous dead biochemist 1944 Avery, MacLeod and McCarty identified DNA as information molecules 1953 Watson (still alive) and Crick proposed the structure of DNA 1958 Crick proposed the central dogma of biology

Organization of Life elements simple organic compounds (monomers) macromolecules (polymers) supramolecular structures organelles cells tissues organisms

Range of the sizes of objects studies by Biochemist and Biologist 1 angstrom = 0.1 nm

Elements of Life Most abundant, essential for all organisms: C, N, O, P, S, H Less abundant, essential for all organisms : Na, Mg, K, Ca, Cl Trace levels, essential for all organism: Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn Trace levels, essential for some organisms: V, Cr, Mo, B, Al, Ga, Sn, Si, As, Se, I,

Important compounds, functional groups

Many Important Biomolecules are Polymers lipids proteins carbo nucleic acids monomer polymer supramolecular structure

Lipids monomer polymer supramolecular structure

Proteins monomer polymer supramolecular structure amino acid Enzyme complex protein subunit amino acid

Carbohydrates monomer polymer supramolecular structure

Nucleic Acids monomer polymer supramolecular structure

Monomers form polymers through condensations Common theme: Monomers form polymers through condensations Polymers are broken down through hydrolysis.  

Prokaryote Cell

Cellular Organization of an E. coli Cell 200 – 300 mg protein / mL cytoplasm

Eukaryote Cell

Nuclear envelope and endoplasmic reticulum of a eukaryotic cell.

Golgi apparatus. Often associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus is responsible for the modification and sorting of some biomolecules. The proteins inserted into the lumen of the ER are transported to the Golgi apparatus for sorting and secretion. Vesicles carry modified material to destinations inside and outside the cell.

Mitochondrion. Mitochondria are the main sites of energy transduction in aerobic eukaryotic cells. Carbohydrates, fatty acids, and amino acids are metabolized in this organelle.

Chloroplast. Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis in plants and algae. Light energy is captured by pigments associated with the thylakoid membrane and used to convert carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates.