1. The Basic Chemistry of Life - Biochemistry, Bonds, Molecules, Reactions
SGN 2
To really have an understanding of biology requires an appreciation of, and some knowledge of, biochemistry

2. We should all have a basic understanding of the fundamental characteristics of atoms   We should all have a basic understanding of the fundamental characteristics of molecules and ions

3. But in biology, compounds (2 or more atoms bonded together) can get very complex, so we must more closely consider biological compounds
DNA
Complex carbohydrates

4. In biological systems (“under physiological conditions”) molecules can be huge, ionized and can often exist as multimolecular complexes
Multimolecular complexes can be stable and stay together for long periods
DNA Hemoglobin (a protein)
Multimolecular complexes can be transient
Large multienzyme factors, called transcription factors, regulate protein synthesis

5. The forces that synthesize and shape these compounds, hold them together and modify them, and break them down, are fundamentally important in biological systems
In most cases understanding the form of these biomolecules is essential to understanding their function
Chemical bonds are largely responsible for giving compounds their shape and form

6. Strong bonds
Covalent bonds always intramolecular

7. Weak bonds intra and intermolecular Hydrophilic bonds – between moieties of full or partial charge Hydrogen bond – attraction between 2 partially charged moieties Ionic bond (salt bridge) – attraction between 2 fully charged moieties Mixed bond - attraction of partial charge to full charge

8. Weak bonds intra and intermolecular Hydrophobic – forced attraction between two moieties with no charge or no partial charge

9. Molecules can …
…be primarily hydrophobic or primarily hydrophilic
…have hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions
…can have one region that is entirely hydrophobic and one region that is entirely hydrophilic – this is called an amphipathic molecule

10. Chemical reactions make and break chemical bonds, reshaping reactants into products Students should know how to read a chemical equation
Factors affecting the rate of a chemical reaction are extremely important in biological systems, as is regulating the rate of reactions and maintaining homeostasis
Rate can be affected by catalysts, temperature, pH, concentration of reactants and products, etc.