Name:________________________________________________Date:____________________Period:______
WNHS Honors Biology
Biochemistry Notes
What is biochemistry?
I.
Organic Compounds:
Why is Carbon important?
Four valence electrons  strong covalent bonds
4 Major Types of Large Organic Compounds
POLYMER
1.
MONOMER
Carbohydrates 
a. Structure –
Elements:
Monomer:
b. Functions –
Three classes of carbohydrates
Monosaccharides:
Examples:
Disaccharides:
Examples:
Polysaccharides:
Examples:
2. Lipids 
a. Structure –
Elements:
Monomer:
b. Functions –
Two Classes of Lipids:
Triglycerides (Fats):
Phospholipids:
Saturated Fats:
Unsaturated Fats:
3. Proteins 
a. Structure –
Elements:
Monomer:
b. Functions –
c. ENZYMES are proteins! Characteristics:

Speed up reactions  CATALYSTS
 lower the activation energy required for a reaction

Specific: one enzyme for one reaction

Reusable
HYDROLYSIS 
DEHYDRATION SYNTHESIS (Condensation Reaction) 
How they work:

Enzymes have ________________ ____________ where the substance they catalyze can attach. That substance is
called the _____________________. Their shapes match perfectly, like a lock and key. After the reaction, the
substrate is released and the _____________________ does its job over again.

Enzymes operate within an optimum ______________________ and pH range. Otherwise, they
_____________________ (change their shape), which means the __________________________ they catalyze no
longer matches their _________________ ________________.
4. Nucleic Acids 
a. Structure –
Elements:
Monomer:
b. Functions –
Two classes of nucleic acids:
DNA
RNA