Biochemistry and the

Organization of Cells

Learning outcomes
Students should be able to;
Define biochemistry and biomolecules
Recognize various form of biomolecules
Identify functional groups for specific
biomolecules
Understand thermodynamics
Identify the differences between two
laws of thermodynamics

Basic themes
How does biochemistry describe life processes?
Living things are diverse
Two things in common
All cells use the same types of
biomolecules
Use energy

How did living things

originate
Since all living cells uses the same biomolecules
and energy, speculating on the origins of life is a
worthwhile question
How did the components of our bodies do the
things that they do?
What are the basic molecules of life?
H2O (water), CH4 (methane), CO2, NH3 (ammonia),

What is biochemistry?
The study of chemical and chemical processes
in any living organism
Biomolecules are molecules that are made by

living organisms such as;

Proteins
DNA
Carbohydrates
Lipids

Chemical Foundations of
Biochemistry
Cellular apparatus of living organisms is
made up of carbon compounds thus
biomolecules are part of organic chemistry
Organic chemistry the study of
compounds of carbon and hydrogen and
their derivatives.
Functional groups of molecules

What are functional

groups?
Specific groups of atoms or bonds
within molecules that are responsible for
the characteristic chemical reactions of
those molecules.
The reactions of molecules are based on
the reactions of their respective functional
groups.

Functional group: an atom or group of atoms

that shows characteristic physical and
chemical properties

Why are biomolecules

special ?
Living cells include very large molecules, such
as proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides
these biomolecules are polymers (Greek: poly
+ meros, many + parts)
they are derived from monomers (Greek:
mono + meros, single + part)
amino acids
proteins
nucleotides
nucleic acids
monosaccharides
polysaccharides

Why are biomolecules

special ?
Enzymes: a class of proteins that are biocatalysts
the catalytic effectiveness of a given enzyme
depends on its amino acid sequence
Genetic code: the relationship between the
nucleotide sequence in nucleic acids and the
amino acid sequence in proteins
theories of the origin of life consider how such
a coding system might have arisen

Organization of cell

How cell use energy?

Light from the sun is the ultimate source of
energy for all life on earth.
photosynthetic organisms use light energy to
drive the energy-requiring synthesis of
carbohydrates.
non-photosynthetic organisms consume these
carbohydrates and use them as energy
sources.

 The energetics of a chemical reaction

if the change in free energy (G) is negative
(free energy decreases), the reaction is
spontaneous as written exergonic (energy
is released)
if the change in free energy (G) is positive
(free energy increases), the reaction will not
occur as written unless energy is supplied
from an external source endergonic
(require additional energy)

 At equilibrium, (G) = 0.
Spontaneous reaction is any reaction that takes
place with no outside intervention does not
mean fast, can take a long time to complete.