Biochemistry The Building Blocks of Life Frank Gregorio

Biochemistry The Building Blocks of Life Frank Gregorio Introduction to Biochemistry

Atom • Smallest particle of an element. • Basic building block of all matter. • Remember: Matter = anything that has mass and volume

Structure of An Atom

Structure of An Atom • Four main parts: • Nucleus: Contains protons and neutrons. • Protons: Positively charged particles • Neutrons: Neutrally charged particles that help to balance the positive and negative charges. • Electrons: Extremely small negatively charged particles

Label Each Structure of An Atom

Elements in Living Things • Elements are made up of atoms with specific qualities. • Everything is made up of elements. • Four elements make up more than 96 % of the mass of a human body. **CHON : Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen**

Diatomic Molecule • The same two elements chemically combined. • Example: • Molecule of Oxygen (O 2) Molecule of Hydrogen (H 2)

Compound • Two or more different elements that are chemically combined via covalent bonds. • Covalent bond - Electrons are shared between the atoms. • Example: • Table Salt Water

Mixture • Combination of substances that are not chemically combined. • Example: • Salt Water

Lets talk about the “Bio” part of Biochemistry • Bio = Life • Chemistry = The study of chemical reactions

Organic Molecules Organic Molecule Monomer Polymer Carbohydrates Simple Sugars Complex Sugars Proteins Amino Acids Proteins (Polypeptide) Lipids (Fats) Glycerol & 3 Fatty Acids Lipid Nucleic Acids Nucleotides Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates Example: • Polymer: Starch • Monomer: Glucose

Lipids Example: • Polymer: Lipid • Monomer: 1 Glycerol & 3 Fatty Acids

Proteins • Each amino acid is connected together by a peptide bond. Example: • Polymer: Protein Chain Monomer: Amino Acids

Nucleic Acids • Types = DNA & RNA Example: • Polymer: DNA Monomer: Nucleotide Pool House Garage uracil

Enzymes (Type of Protein) • Enzyme = Catalyst • Catalysts: A molecule that speeds up chemical reactions. • Big role in metabolism • Active Site = Binding site where the substrate is converted into the desired molecule. • Substrate = Molecule that binds to the active site

Lock and Key • Enzymes and substrates fit together like a lock and key in the active site. • Enzyme = Lock • Substrate = Key • Enzyme-Substrate Complex = Substrate and enzyme are bonded together.

Enzymes

Enzymes

THINK QUESTION: Is this a dehydration synthesis or a hydrolysis reaction?

Enzymes –Activation Energy Remember: Catalysts (enzymes) speed up reactions

What affects how Enzymes work? 1. Temperature 2. p. H Optimal Temperature/Optimal p. H: The temperature or p. H where the enzyme works best. Denature: Enzyme loses its shape and can’t work anymore due to extreme temperatures or p. H levels. Ex: Too high, too low

High p. H or

Lets talk about the “Chemistry” Part of Biochemistry Frank Gregorio Introduction to Chemistry

Don't trust atoms, they make up everything.

Did you know that oxygen went for a second date with potassium? How did it go? It went OK 2!

Why do chemists like nitrates so much? They're cheaper than day rates.

Q: What is the chemical formula for "coffee"? A: Co. Fe 2 Q: What is the chemical formula for "banana"? A: Ba. Na 2 Q: What do you do with a sick chemist? A: If you can't helium, and you can't curium, then you might as well barium.

Water • Water is a molecule that is essential for life on Earth. • Water is polar. This means that the electrons in the molecule are shared unequally.

Water Molecule Bonds • A polar covalent bond exists between the Oxygen and Hydrogen atoms in a water molecule. • Hydrogen atoms between adjacent water molecules can also form a bond, called a hydrogen bond. • A hydrogen bond is a very strong attraction. These bonds are responsible for many of the properties of water.

Properties of Water • Water resists changes in temperature. • This property helps to: • Maintain a stable body temperature. • Maintain a stable environmental conditions. • For example…

• The human body has a constant body temperature of around 98. 6 o. F. Water helps to maintain this constant body temperature because of its chemical properties.

Islands, such as Long Island, undergo less temperature changes throughout the year than land-locked areas. This is because of the properties of water, which are resistant to changes in temperature. The summer months remain cooler than inland areas, and the winter months remain warmer.

Acids and Bases • An acid is any substance that forms hydrogen ions in water. H+ • A base is any substance that forms hydroxide ions in water. OH-

The p. H Scale • The p. H scale measures acids and bases on a scale of 1 -14. • A p. H of 1 -6 is very acidic. • A p. H of 8 -14 is very basic. • A p. H of 7 is neutral.

The p. H Scale