Post on 28-Dec-2015
The Foundations of Biochemistry
CHEM 7784
Biochemistry
Professor Bensley
Today’s Objectives:
1. Define the principle areas of biochemistry
2. Explore the theory of “vitalism”
3. Examine the organization of life from both a chemical and a biological perspective
4. Begin to understand the complexity of biochemicals
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 organisms
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
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: 1) Only living things have a high degree of
complexity2) Only living things extract, transform and
utilize energy from their environment3) Only living things are capable of self
assembly and self replication
Origins of Biochemistry: A challenge to “Vitalism.”
Hall of Fame of Famous Dead Biochemists!
Fallacy #1: Biochemicals can only be produced by living organisms
•1828 Friedrich Wohler
• Dead Biochemist #1
Fallacy #2: Complex bioconversion of chemical substances require living
matter
• 1897 Eduard Buchner
• Dead Biochemist #2
Glucose + Dead Yeast = Alcohol
• Emil Fischer
Fallacy #2: Complex bioconversion of chemical substances require
living matter
• Dead Biochemist #3
Fallacy #2: Complex bioconversion of chemical substances require
living matter• Dead Biochemist #4
• 1926 J.B. Sumner
Organization of Life
• elements• simple organic compounds (monomers)• macromolecules (polymers)• supramolecular structures• organelles• cells• tissues• organisms
• 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 organisms: Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn•Trace levels, essential for some organisms: V, Cr, Mo, B, Al, Ga,
Sn, Si, As, Se, I
Elements of Life
Many Important Biomolecules are Polymers
p ro te in com plex
p ro te in su b un it
a m ino ac id
m em b rane
p ho sp ho lip id
fa tty a c id
ce ll w a ll
ce llu lo se
g lu co se
ch ro m o som e
D N A
n uc leo tidemonomer
polymer
supramolecularstructure
lipids proteins carbo nucleic acids
Lipids
m em b rane
p ho sp ho lip id
fa tty a c idmonomer
polymer
Supramo-lecular
structure
Proteins
monomer
polymer
Supramo-lecular
structureEnzyme complex
protein subunit
amino acid
Carbohydrates
ce ll w a ll
ce llu lo se
g lu co semonomer
polymer
supramolecularstructure
ch ro m a tin
D N A
n uc leo tidemonomer
polymer
Supramo-lecular
structure
Nucleic Acids
Common theme:
Monomers form polymers through condensations
Polymers are broken down through hydrolysis
Biological Molecules Typically Have Several Functional Groups
Structure of Biological Molecules is Important
• The function of molecules strongly depend on three-dimensional structure
Stereoisomers have Different Biological Properties
• Cis and trans isomers also have different physical and chemical properties
Optical Isomers have Different Biological Properties
Foundations of Biochemistry Summary
The main learning goals for today were:• To understand what defines living
organisms • To relate structure and function of the cell• To realize that the structure of
biomolecules often gives them specific functions
Reminder: Take home exam #1 due 9AM Friday 8/29