The Foundations of Biochemistry

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The Foundations of Biochemistry

• CHEM 7784
• Biochemistry
• Professor Bensley

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Todays 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

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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

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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

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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

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Origins of Biochemistry A challenge to
Vitalism.
Hall of Fame of Famous Dead Biochemists!
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• Fallacy 1 Biochemicals can only be produced by
  living organisms

• Dead Biochemist 1

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Fallacy 2 Complex bioconversion of chemical
substances require living matter

• Dead Biochemist 2

• 1897 Eduard Buchner

Glucose Dead Yeast Alcohol
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Fallacy 2 Complex bioconversion of chemical
substances require living matter

• Dead Biochemist 3

• Emil Fischer

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Fallacy 2 Complex bioconversion of chemical
substances require living matter

• Dead Biochemist 4

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Organization of Life

• elements
• simple organic compounds (monomers)
• macromolecules (polymers)
• supramolecular structures
• organelles
• cells
• tissues
• organisms

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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 organisms Mn,
  Fe, Co, Cu, Zn
• Trace levels, essential for some organisms V,
  Cr, Mo, B, Al, Ga, Sn, Si, As, Se, I

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Many Important Biomolecules are Polymers
lipids
proteins
carbo
nucleic acids
monomer
polymer
supramolecular structure
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Lipids
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Proteins
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Carbohydrates
monomer
polymer
supramolecular structure
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Nucleic Acids
monomer
polymer
Supramo-lecular structure
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Common theme Monomers form polymers through
condensations Polymers are broken down through
hydrolysis
 
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Biological Molecules Typically Have Several
Functional Groups
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Structure of Biological Molecules is Important

• The function of molecules strongly depend on
  three-dimensional structure

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Stereoisomers have Different Biological Properties

• Cis and trans isomers also have different
  physical and chemical properties

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Optical Isomers have Different Biological
Properties
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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