WHAT IS LIFE?

What is life?
condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects Life has clear-cut properties that distinguish it from everything else Every living thing is cellular either a single-celled or a multi-cellular creature membrane bound contains a full set of instructions necessary for its operation, reproduction

The chemicals of life

All living matter is composed of
H2O inorganic ions small molecules macromolecules

Figure 2-29 Molecular Biology of the Cell ( Garland Science 2008)

Small molecules: functions

precursors for synthesis of macromolecules store and distribute the energy for all cellular processes
broken down to extract chemical energy

act as signals that direct the activities of cells

Biological molecules
Life on earth is carbon based: biological molecules consist primarily of
carbon bonded to carbon carbon bonded to other molecules

Carbon can form up to 4 covalent bonds. Carbon may be bonded to functional groups with specific properties

Biological macromolecules
Simplest organic molecules = Hydrocarbons; consist of carbon, hydrogen
Covalent bonds store considerable energy. Make good fuels

Functional groups
Specific groups of atoms attached to carbon backbones Have definite chemical properties Found in the various biomolecules
Proteins Nucleic acids Lipids Carbohydrates

Common functional groups of biomolecules

Common functional groups of biomolecules

Biological molecules
Biomolecules typically large molecules (polymers) constructed from smaller subunits (monomers) Biomolecules built up, broken down via water interactions

Figure 2-30 Molecular Biology of the Cell ( Garland Science 2008)

Macromolecules
Proteins Nucleic acids
DNA RNA

Carbohydrates Lipids

Proteins
contain an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH) and an H atom, all bonded to a central carbon atom Formed from 20 different monomers (amino acids) most abundant, functionally versatile biomolecule

Proteins derived from amino acids

A protein is composed of one or more long chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds

Nucleic Acids
Responsible for storage, transfer of genetic information 2 types:
1. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
Encodes information used to assemble proteins

2. Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

Reads DNA-encoded information to direct protein synthesis

Nucleic acid structure

The flow of genetic Information

Figure 6-2 Molecular Biology of the Cell ( Garland Science 2008)

Carbohydrates
Also known as sugars Molecules with a 1:2:1 ratio of C, H, O empirical formula: (CH2O)n examples: sugars, starch, glucose Since C H covalent bonds hold much energy, carbohydrates are good energy storage molecules

The structure of glucose, a simple sugar

Carbohydrates

Two or more glucose molecules linked together can make a polymer

Functions of carbohydrates
energy stores, fuels, and metabolic intermediates structural framework of RNA and DNA
structural elements in the cell walls of bacteria and plants linked to many proteins and lipids

 Starch consists of chains of linked glucose molecules.

These chains are broken down into individual glucose molecules and used to generate energy Consumption of excess carbohydrates leads to conversion into glycogen or fats for future use.

Structural carbohydrates
Cellulose found in plants

Chitin found in arthropods and fungi

Lipids
biomolecules that are insoluble in H2O but soluble in organic solvents A high proportion of nonpolar C H bonds causes lipid molecules to be hydrophobic Examples of lipids: 1. Fats (triglycerides) 2. Phospholipids 3. Steroids

Fatty acids/Triglycerides
animal fats are usually saturated fats
solid at room temperature

plant fats (oils) are usually unsaturated

liquid at room temperature

Lipids
Triglycerides store twice as much energy as carbohydrates May be saturated or unsaturated
1. Saturated fats - all internal carbon atoms are bonded to at least two hydrogen atoms maximum # of H

2. Unsaturated fats - at least one double bond between successive carbon atoms

Phospholipids
Main component of biological membranes Membranes usually exist as lipid bilayer
Polar head groups in contact with H2O Nonpolar tail lies in interior

Phospholipids

The watery interior of cells is surrounded by the plasma membrane, a two-layered shell of phospholipids

Fat-soluble vitamins
Vitamin Function A Roles in vision, growth, reproduction Deficiency Night blindness, cornea damage, damage to respiratory and gastrointestinal tract Rickets (children): skeletal deformaties, impaired growth; Osteomalacia (adults): soft, bending bones Inhibition of sperm production; lesions in muscles and nerves (rare) Subdermal hemorrhaging

Regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism

Antioxidant

Blood coagulation

Lipids
Steroids include: Cholesterol Steroid hormones e.g., estrogen, testosterone Vitamin D

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