Biochem Review
Bioquímica
Repaso Examen 1
Chapter 1: Introduction to Biochemistry
1.1
Biochemistry is a Modern Science
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By synthesizing urea, Friedrich Wöhler showed that compounds found in living organisms could be made in the laboratory from inorganic substances. He used the inorganic compound ammonium cyanate.
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Two major breakthroughs in the history of biochemistry are especially notable: o Roles of enzymes as catalysts o Roles of nucleic acids as information carrying molecules.
1.2
The Chemical Elements of Life
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Six non-metallic elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur
(CHONPS) account for more than 97% of the weight of most organisms. o All of these elements can form stable covalent bonds.
Water (H2O) is a major component of cells and accounts for the high percentage (by weight) of oxygen.
Carbon is much more abundant in living organisms than in the rest of the universe.
Some elements such as silicone, aluminum, and iron are very common in the Earth’s crust but are present only in trace amount of cells.
A total of 29 different elements are commonly found in living organisms.
5 ions that are essential in all species: calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg2+), and chloride (Cl-).
General formulas of: o Organic compounds
o Functional groups
o Linkages in biochemical compounds
1.3
Many Important Macromolecules are Polymers
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Biological macromolecules are usually a form of polymer created by joining many smaller organic molecules, or monomers, via condensation (removal of the elements of water).
Each monomer incorporated into a macromolecular chain is termed a residue.
Macromolecules have properties that are very different from those of their constituent monomer. o Each new level of organization results in properties that cannot be predicted solely from those of the previous level. o Levels of complexity: atoms > molecules
Repaso Examen 1
Chapter 1: Introduction to Biochemistry
1.1
Biochemistry is a Modern Science
•
By synthesizing urea, Friedrich Wöhler showed that compounds found in living organisms could be made in the laboratory from inorganic substances. He used the inorganic compound ammonium cyanate.
•
Two major breakthroughs in the history of biochemistry are especially notable: o Roles of enzymes as catalysts o Roles of nucleic acids as information carrying molecules.
1.2
The Chemical Elements of Life
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Six non-metallic elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur
(CHONPS) account for more than 97% of the weight of most organisms. o All of these elements can form stable covalent bonds.
Water (H2O) is a major component of cells and accounts for the high percentage (by weight) of oxygen.
Carbon is much more abundant in living organisms than in the rest of the universe.
Some elements such as silicone, aluminum, and iron are very common in the Earth’s crust but are present only in trace amount of cells.
A total of 29 different elements are commonly found in living organisms.
5 ions that are essential in all species: calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg2+), and chloride (Cl-).
General formulas of: o Organic compounds
o Functional groups
o Linkages in biochemical compounds
1.3
Many Important Macromolecules are Polymers
•
•
•
•
•
Biological macromolecules are usually a form of polymer created by joining many smaller organic molecules, or monomers, via condensation (removal of the elements of water).
Each monomer incorporated into a macromolecular chain is termed a residue.
Macromolecules have properties that are very different from those of their constituent monomer. o Each new level of organization results in properties that cannot be predicted solely from those of the previous level. o Levels of complexity: atoms > molecules