Biochemistry
Chapter 2
Pages 24-60
Biochemistry
Biochemistry combines organic and
inorganic chemistry and their interactions
in living organisms.
Biochemistry
Organic chemistry revolves around the
carbon atom and the seemingly endless
number of compounds it can form.
Biochemistry
Organic chemistry revolves around the
carbon atom and the seemingly endless
number of compounds it can form.
Inorganic chemistry involves all the other
elements and includes the salts, acids and
water.
Biochemistry
• Water is the single
most important
inorganic compound
making up 60 to 70%
of all living matter.
Biochemistry
• What are some of water’s unique
properties:
Biochemistry
What are some of water’s unique properties:
– High Heat Capacity
Biochemistry
What are some of water’s unique properties:
– High Heat Capacity
• Water must absorb large quantities of energy for
the temperature to change. This value is
illustrated in its high specific heat.
Biochemistry
What are some of water’s unique properties:
– High Heat Capacity
• Water must absorb large quantities of energy for
the temperature to change. This value is
illustrated in its high specific heat.
– High Heat of Vaporization
Biochemistry
What are some of water’s unique properties:
– High Heat Capacity
• Water must absorb large quantities of energy for
the temperature to change. This value is
illustrated in its high specific heat.
– High Heat of Vaporization
• Water must absorb large quantities of heat to
change from the liquid to gas phase
Biochemistry
What are some of water’s unique properties:
– Polar Solvent
Biochemistry
What are some of water’s unique properties:
– Polar Solvent
• Water is considered to be the universal solvent
and serves as the aqueous environment for all
cellular activities.
Biochemistry
What are some of water’s unique properties:
– Polar Solvent
• Water is considered to be the universal solvent
and serves as the aqueous environment for all
cellular activities.
– Reactivity
Biochemistry
What are some of water’s unique properties:
– Polar Solvent
• Water is considered to be the universal solvent
and serves as the aqueous environment for all
cellular activities.
– Reactivity
• Water not only serves as a medium for reactions
but participates in almost all reactions in the cell,
such as the dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis
reactions.
Biochemistry
What is responsible for water’s unique
properties?
Biochemistry
What is responsible for water’s unique
properties?
Hydrogen Bonding
Biochemistry
Hydrogen Bonding
• This is a weak attraction between a hydrogen on
one water molecule and an oxygen on an adjacent
water molecule. This results in water molecules
“sticking” to each other.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Hydrogen bonding is
most evident with
surface tension.
Biochemistry
• Salts are made up of a + ion (cation) and a
– ion (anion).
Biochemistry
• Salts are made up of a + ion (cation) and a
– ion (anion).
– The cation is usually a metal ion such as Na+
Biochemistry
• Salts are made up of a + ion (cation) and a
– ion (anion).
– The cation is usually a metal ion such as Na+
Biochemistry
• Salts are made up of a + ion (cation) and a
– ion (anion).
– The cation is usually a metal ion such as Na+
– The anion is either an nonmetal ion such as
Cl- or a complex radical such as phosphate
(PO4-3)
Biochemistry
All ions are classified as electrolytes which
means they can conduct an electrical current.
Electrolytes are important for nerve
conduction, muscle contraction and cell
membrane polarity.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Electrolyte imbalances
can lead to heart
arrhythmias or muscle
fatigue.
Biochemistry
• Acid & Bases are also electrolytes but are
derived from water itself.
– An acid has a proton or H+ as its only cation in
an aqueous solution.
Biochemistry
• Acid & Bases are also electrolytes but are
derived from water itself.
– An acid has a proton or H+ as its only cation in
an aqueous solution.
– A base has a hydroxy anion or OH- as its only
negative ion in an aqueous solution.
Biochemistry
The strength of an
acid or base is
measured using the
pH scale.
Biochemistry
An acid and base
react to form a slat
and water. This is
known as a
neutralization reaction.
Biochemistry
pH of the body is very important. The body
goes to great lengths to maintain the body's
pH at 7.45.
Biochemistry
pH of the body is very important. The body
goes to great lengths to maintain the body's
pH at 7.45.
Deviations from this can lead to potentially
fatal acid base imbalances.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Buffers regulate pH changes within a cell and
organism to prevent large fluctuations in pH.
Biochemistry
Buffers regulate pH changes within a cell and
organism to prevent large fluctuations in pH.
Important buffers include:
» Carbonic acid----Bicarbonate system
» Phosphoric acid----Phosphate system
Biochemistry
Review
1. What are the two branches of chemistry
that make up biochemistry?
Review
1. What are the two branches of chemistry
that make up biochemistry?
2. What is organic chemistry?
Review
1. What are the two branches of chemistry
that make up biochemistry?
2. What is organic chemistry?
3. What is inorganic chemistry?
Review
1. What are the two branches of chemistry
that make up biochemistry?
2. What is organic chemistry?
3. What is inorganic chemistry?
4. Why is responsible for water’s properties?
Review
5. What makes up a salt?
Review
5. What makes up a salt?
6. What is an acid?
Review
5. What makes up a salt?
6. What is an acid?
7. What is a base?
Review
5. What makes up a salt?
6. What is an acid?
7. What is a base?
8. What is pH?
Review
5. What makes up a salt?
6. What is an acid?
7. What is a base?
8. What is pH?
9. Why are buffers important?
At the Clinic
• It was determined that a patient was in
acidosis. What does this mean, and would
you treat the condition that would raise or
lower the pH?
At the Clinic
• Carbon dioxide concentration influences
blood pH in the following manner: High
levels of CO2 increase the rate of
formation of carbonic acid. If a patient has
difficulty ventilating the lungs, as in
emphysema would they be in acidosis or
alkalosis?
At the Clinic
• Hugo, a patient with kidney disease, is
unable to excrete sufficient amounts of
hydrogen ions. Would he be
hyperventilating or hypoventilating?