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