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Introduction To Biochemistry 1

This document provides an introduction to biochemistry by discussing its key topics and principles. It begins by defining biochemistry as the chemistry of life and how biochemists use chemical and physical principles to explain biology at the molecular level. The main areas of biochemistry covered include the structure and function of biological macromolecules, metabolism, and molecular genetics. The document then discusses the history of biochemistry and how it challenged the idea of vitalism by showing that biochemical processes can be explained by ordinary chemical and physical laws rather than some vital force unique to living things. It concludes by describing the levels of biological organization from basic elements and molecules to cells, tissues and whole organisms.

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Manelaine Agno
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88 views10 pages

Introduction To Biochemistry 1

This document provides an introduction to biochemistry by discussing its key topics and principles. It begins by defining biochemistry as the chemistry of life and how biochemists use chemical and physical principles to explain biology at the molecular level. The main areas of biochemistry covered include the structure and function of biological macromolecules, metabolism, and molecular genetics. The document then discusses the history of biochemistry and how it challenged the idea of vitalism by showing that biochemical processes can be explained by ordinary chemical and physical laws rather than some vital force unique to living things. It concludes by describing the levels of biological organization from basic elements and molecules to cells, tissues and whole organisms.

Uploaded by

Manelaine Agno
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Introduction to Biochemistry

Part 1: Review of Organic, Inorganic Chemistry, Cells and Cells Organelles

Before BCH 400 After BCH 400

BCH 400 IS HEAVY ON CONTENT!!!


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

Once upon a time, a 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 complexity
2) Only living things extract, transform and utilize energy from their environment
3) Only living things are capable of self-assembly and self-replication

VITALISM = NOT TRUE!

Origins of Biochemistry: A challenge to “Vitalism.”

Fallacy #1: Biochemicals can only be produced by living organisms

1. 1828 Friedrich Wohler

Fallacy #2: Complex bioconversion of chemical substances require living matter

2. 1897 Eduard Buchner


a. Glucose + Dead Yeast = Alcohol
3. Emil Fischer

4. 1926 J.B. Sumner

Findings of another 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

MEMORIZE: FUNCTIONAL GROUPS!

Many Important Biomolecules are Polymers

Lipids
Proteins

Carbohydrates
Nucleic Acids

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

Thermodynamics
 System of thinking about interconnections of heat, work, matter, chemical reactions
 Relies on the 3 general statements about behavior of matter “Laws” of Thermodynamics
(energy, equilibria, natural processes and tendencies)
System
 Whatever part of the universe we are in focus/interested in
o Closed system – cannot exchange matter across their boundaries
o Open system – pass matter back and forth across boundaries
Surroundings
 Everything else in the universe that lie outside the boundaries of the system

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