Biochemistry study of life at the molecular

level
Characteristics of Life
ability to extract energy
capacity for growth, differentiation &
reproduction
ability to respond to changes

Chemical Elements in Biomolecules

Elements found in bulk and essential for life
Elements in trace quantities in most organism
and very likely essential for life
Trace elements that are present in some
organisms and may be essential for life

Types of Biochemical Reactions

Group Transfer
Oxidation Reduction
Rearrangement
Cleavage
Condensation
Examples

The Cell
Fundamental unit of life
Two basic classification of organism
1.Eukaryotes
Plasma membrane made up of protein and
lipid
Unique feature compartmentation
Organelles:
Nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum,ribosome,
Golgi apparatus, mitochondria and vacuoles
Animal cells have specialized organelles
Lysosomes, peroxisomes
Specialized organelles in plant cells
Chloroplasts and glyoxysomes
2.Prokaryotes
Bacteria three basic shapes
Spheroidal (cocci)
Rodlike (bacilli)
Helically coiled (spirilla)
Components
Cell membrane, cell wall,
flagella,pili,cytoplasm
Each cell has one chromosome, a single copy
of DNA ( the genome)
A Prokaryotic Cell

An Animal Cell
A Plant Cell

The Biological Roles of Water

Biological solvent
Serves as an essential buffer to regulate T and pH
Participant in many biochemical reactions as a
medium and as a reactant

Interactions of Water With Other Molecules

Polar and ionic molecules
Hydrophilic favorable attraction with water
Nonpolar molecules hydrophobic (water fearing)
Amphiphilic or amphipathic biochemicals that
have both polar and nonpolar characteristics
Possible interactions
Properties of Water
Water is Polar
Water Forms H-bonds
Unusually high boiling point
High specific Heat
High heat of vaporization
High dielectric constant
Water is less dense as a solid
Water is homeostatic
Biomolecules - compose the individual cells in
living
organisms
Nucleic Acid
Proteins
Polysaccharide
Lipids - small, not really macromolecular; largely
hydrocarbon

Structural Hierarchy
 covalent bonds
Momomeric units Biomoleculkes
Noncovalent or Intermolecular Forces of Attraction Within a or Between Biomolecules
> electrostatic forces or ionic/salt linkages
> hydrogen bonding interactions
> Van der Waals or London forces
> hydrophobic forces