The Foundations of
Biochemistry
CHEM 7784
Biochemistry
Professor Bensley
Today’s Objectives:
1. Define the principle areas of
biochemistry
2. Explore the theory of “vitalism”
3. Examine the organization of life
from both a chemical and a
biological perspective
4. Begin to understand the complexity
of biochemicals
What is Biochemistry?
• Biochemistry = chemistry of life
• Biochemists use physical and
chemical principles to explain
biology at the molecular level
• Basic principles of biochemistry
are common to all living
organisms
Principle Areas of Biochemistry
• Structure and function of biological
macromolecules
• Metabolism – anabolic and catabolic
processes
• Molecular Genetics – How life is
replicated. Regulation of protein
synthesis
Once upon a time, a long, long time
ago…
Vitalism: idea that substances and
processes associated with living
organisms did not behave according to
the known laws of physics and
chemistry
Evidence:
1) Only living things have a high degree of
complexity
2) Only living things extract, transform and
utilize energy from their environment
3) Only living things are capable of self
assembly and self replication
Origins of Biochemistry:
A challenge to “Vitalism.”
Hall of Fame of Famous
Dead Biochemists!
Fallacy #1: Biochemicals can only be
produced by living organisms
• Dead Biochemist #1
•1828 Friedrich Wohler
Fallacy #2: Complex bioconversion of
chemical substances require living
matter
• Dead Biochemist #2
• 1897 Eduard Buchner
Glucose + Dead Yeast = Alcohol
Fallacy #2: Complex bioconversion
of chemical substances require
living matter
• Dead Biochemist #3
• Emil Fischer
Fallacy #2: Complex bioconversion
of chemical substances require
living matter
• Dead Biochemist #4
• 1926 J.B. Sumner
Organization of Life
• elements
• simple organic compounds
(monomers)
• macromolecules (polymers)
• supramolecular structures
• organelles
• cells
• tissues
• organisms
Elements of Life
• Most abundant, essential for all organisms: C, N, O, P, S, H
• Less abundant, essential for all organisms : Na, Mg, K, Ca, Cl
•Trace levels, essential for all organisms: Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn
•Trace levels, essential for some organisms: V, Cr, Mo, B, Al, Ga,
Sn, Si, As, Se, I
Many Important Biomolecules
are Polymers
monomer
polymer
lipids
proteins
carbo
fatty acid
amino acid
glucose
nucleotide
phospholipid
protein subunit
cellulose
DNA
protein complex
cell wall
chromosome
supramolecular
membrane
structure
nucleic acids
Lipids
monomer
fatty acid
polymer phospholipid
Supramolecular
structure
membrane
Proteins
monomer
amino acid
polymer protein subunit
Supramolecular Enzyme complex
structure
Carbohydrates
monomer
glucose
polymer
cellulose
supramolecular
cell wall
structure
Nucleic Acids
monomer
polymer
Supramolecular
structure
nucleotide
DNA
chromatin
Common
theme:
Monomers form
polymers through
condensations
Polymers are
broken down
through hydrolysis
Biological Molecules Typically
Have Several Functional Groups
Structure of Biological
Molecules is Important
• The function of molecules strongly depend on
three-dimensional structure
Stereoisomers have Different
Biological Properties
• Cis and trans isomers also have different
physical and chemical properties
Optical Isomers have Different
Biological Properties
Foundations of Biochemistry
Summary
The main learning goals for today were:
• To understand what defines living
organisms
• To relate structure and function of the cell
• To realize that the structure of
biomolecules often gives them specific
functions
Reminder: Take home exam #1 due
9AM Friday 8/29