Mary K.

Campbell
Shawn O. Farrell
cengage.com/chemistry/campbell

Chapter One
Biochemistry and the Organization of Cells

Paul D. Adams University of Arkansas

Chapter One
Biochemistry and the Organization of Cells
CHAPTER OUTLINE

1-1. Basic Themes

All living things make use of the same types of
biomolecules, and all use energy. As a result, all
living things can be studied using the methods of
chemistry and physics.
Field of Biochemistry draws many disciplines
Multi-disciplinary allows us to answer questions
related to molecular nature of life processes
Applications of this knowledge are made in medically
related field
ex. Understanding of health and disease at
molecular level that can lead to more effective
treatment of diseases

1-1. Basic Themes

Transportation System

Cell Activities

Vehicles (ex. cars,

buses, taxis, etc.)
Routes (single path,
can go anywhere)
Routes operate
simultaneously
Complexity

Molecules involved in
reactions
Reactions that occur
in the life of the cell
Reactions operate
simultaneously
Complexity

1-1. Basic Themes

The fundamental similarity of cells of all types
makes it interesting to speculate on the origins
of life
both cells and the biomolecules of which
they are made must have arisen ultimately
from very simple molecules, such as H2O,
CH4, CO2, NH3, N2, and H2
same organic molecules operate in
different context

Levels of Structural Organization in the

Human Body

1-2 Chemical Foundations of Biochemistry

Organic chemistry: the study of the
compounds of carbon and hydrogen and their
derivatives
the cellular apparatus of living organisms is made
up of carbon compounds
biomolecules are part of the subject matter of
organic chemistry
the reactions of biomolecules can be described by
the methods of organic chemistry

1-2 Chemical Foundations of Biochemistry

vital force force that is presumably unique in living
things (19th century)
Compounds formed in living organisms could not be
produced in the lab.
The experiment of Friedrich Whler in 1828

Reactions of biomolecules can be described by

organic chemistry FUNCTIONAL GROUPS

1-2 Chemical Foundations of Biochemistry

Functional group: an atom or group of atoms that
show characteristic physical and chemical properties

ATP and the Reactions for its Formation

1-3 The Beginnings of Biology: Origin of Life

The big bang theory
all matter was originally confined in a very small space
as the result of an explosion, it started to expand with great
force; temperature approx. 15 x 109 K
the average temperature of the universe has been decreasing
ever since
in the earliest stages of the universe, the only elements present
were H, He, and Li
other elements formed by
thermonuclear reactions in stars
explosions of stars
the action of cosmic rays outside the stars

Relative Abundance of Important Elements

1-3 The Beginnings of Biology: Origin of Life

Gases present in the atmosphere of the early earth included
NH3, H2S, CO, CO2, CH4, N2, H2, and H2O but not O2
Experiments have demonstrated that important biomolecules,
such as proteins and nucleic acids, could have arisen under
abiotic (nonliving) conditions from reactions of these simple
compounds
in the earths oceans
on the surface of clay particles

1-3 The Beginnings of Biology: Origin of Life

Fig. 1-3, p. 7

1-3 The Beginnings of Biology: Origin of Life

Living cells include very large molecules, such as proteins,
nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and lipids
these biomolecules are polymers (Greek: poly + meros, many +
parts)
they are derived from monomers (Greek: mono + meros, single
+ part)
--amino acids proteins
--nucleotides nucleic acids
--monosaccharides polysaccharides
--glycerol and 3 fatty acids lipids

Fig. 1-4, p. 8

Informational Macromolecules

1-3 The Beginnings of Biology: Origin of Life

Fig. 1-6a, p. 10

1-3 The Beginnings of Biology: Origin of Life

Fig. 1-6b, p. 10

1-3 The Beginnings of Biology: Origin of Life

Fig. 1-6c, p. 10

1-3 The Beginnings of Biology: Origin of Life

Enzymes: a class of proteins that are biocatalysts
the catalytic effectiveness of a given enzyme depends on its
amino acid sequence

Genetic code: the relationship between the nucleotide

sequence in nucleic acids and the amino acid sequence in
proteins
theories of the origin of life consider how such a coding system
might have arisen

1-3 The Beginnings of Biology: Origin of Life

Which came firstthe chicken or the egg?
catalytic activity associated with proteins
coding associated with nucleic acids
It has been discovered recently that certain types of RNA have
catalytic activity and are capable of catalyzing their own
further processing (See Figure 1.7 p.11)
RNA is now considered by many scientists to have been
the original coding material
it still serves this function in some viruses

Fig. 1-7, p. 11

The RNA World

The appearance of a form of RNA capable of coding
for its own replication was the pivotal point in the
origin of life
This original RNA both encoded for and catalyzed its
own replication
In time, this system evolved to encode for the
synthesis of protein catalysts
Even later, DNA became the primary genetic
material, and RNA took on only an intermediary role
in the synthesis of proteins

Stages in the Evolution of Self-replicating

RNA Molecules

Theories on the Origin of Life

A key point in the development of living cells is the
formation of membranes that separate cells from their
environment
Some theories of the origin of life focus on proteins
according to one model, proteinoids aggregated to
form microspheres
Double-Origin theory: the development of a coding
system and the development of catalysis came about
separately
a combination of the two later in time produced life as
we know it.

1-4 The Biggest Biological Distinction Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Genome total DNA of the cell
Genes Individual units of inheritance
Prokaryote: Greek derivation meaning before the
nucleus
single-celled organisms
include bacteria and cyanobacteria

Eukaryote: Greek derivation meaning true nucleus

contain a well-defined nucleus surrounded by a
nuclear membrane
can be single celled, such as yeasts and Paramecium,
or multicellular, such as animals and plants

1-5 Prokaryotic Cells

Nuclear region portion of prokaryotic cell that
contains DNA

1-6 Eukaryotic Cells

3 Impt. Organelles nucleus, mitochondrion, and
chloroplast; separated by double membrane

1-7 How We Classify Eukaryotes and

Prokaryotes
5-kingdom system takes into account differences
between prokaryotes and eukaryotes
Provides classification for eukaryotes that are neither
plants nor animals
Kingdoms are: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and
Anamilia

Five Kingdoms, Three Domains

1-8 Biochemical Energies

Light from the sun is the ultimate source of energy for
all life on earth
photosynthetic organisms use light energy to drive the
energy-requiring synthesis of carbohydrates
non-photosynthetic organisms consume these
carbohydrates and use them as energy sources

The energetics of a chemical reaction

if the change in free energy is negative (free energy
decreases), the reaction is spontaneous as written
if the change in positive (free energy increases), the
reaction will not occur as written unless energy is
supplied from an external source

How are energy changes measured?

Thermodynamics- branch of science that answers questions
about processes that are energetically favorable

p. 26

1-9 Energy and Change

Spontaneous energetically favorable;
characteristic of a reaction that takes place
without outside intervention
Laws of thermodynamics can be used to
predict whether any change involving
transformations of energy will take place.

1-9 Energy and Change

Free Energy G; a thermodynamic quantity; diagnostic for the
spontaneity of a reaction at constant temperature

Exergonic energy-releasing
Endergonic energy-absorbing
Equilibrium state in which a forward process and reverse
process occur at the same rate
Free Energy of a System
G < 0 spontaneous exergonic- energy released
G = 0 Equilibrium
G > 0 Nonspontaneous endergonic- energy required

1-10 Life and Thermodynamics

1st Law Law of Conservation of Energy
2nd Law 100% Efficiency is impossible; Suniv>0

G = H - TS
H is heat of a reaction at constant pressure
S is the change in entropy

G is the change in free energy

T is the temperature

Enthalpy - a thermodynamic quantity measured as the heat of

reaction at constant pressure
Entropy - measure of disorderliness

SW #1
Identify the functional groups present: