chapter
•
1
In this chapter,
you will be able to
define terms related to
metabolic processes;
• apply the laws of thermo-
dynamics to respiration and
photosynthesis;
• explain how the functional
groups within biological
molecules contribute to the
molecule’s function;
• describe the chemical
structure, mechanisms, and
dynamics of enzymes;
• describe the reactions of
hydrolysis, condensation,
reduction and oxidation,
and neutralization;
• describe how molecules
function within energy
transformations in the cell;
• investigate the structures of
biological molecules by using
computer-generated images
and molecular models;
• design and carry out an
experiment on acids and
bases, metabolic rate,
membrane transport, and
enzyme activity;
• describe technological
applications of enzyme
activity;
• explain the relevance of
metabolic processes in your
personal life.
6 Chapter 1
The Chemical Basis
of Life
It is amazing to realize that many millions of complex chemical reactions take place within
our bodies every moment of our lives. What is even more remarkable is that they occur
without us being consciously aware of them. Supplied with the necessary raw materials,
our cells carry out the functions of life automatically. We don’t know the molecular details
until we purposefully conduct investigations to find out.
For the past two hundred years, biologists have studied cells and organisms at every
level and have discovered that chemical reactions are the basis of virtually every bio-
logical process. Although we have come to understand much about the chemistry of
biology, we still have a long way to go to solve the remaining mysteries. Nevertheless,
we have gathered much evidence for the chemical basis of life.
Most animals die in several weeks without food, a few days without water, and a few
minutes without oxygen. Many species of archaebacteria will die in the presence of
oxygen. Without a daily intake of magnesium, body muscles become sore and weak, the
human brain fails to work properly, and plants turn yellow and die. The common her-
bicide 2,4-D stimulates weeds to grow in such an uncoordinated fashion that they literally
grow themselves to death, and the anti-cancer drug, Taxol, stops cell growth by dis-
rupting spindle fibre function during mitosis. These and other effects confirm that living
organisms are composed of chemicals that react with each other and with the great
variety of substances in the environment. Chemical reactions transform tadpoles into frogs
and caterpillars into butterflies; they make leaves change colour in the fall; they make us
feel hungry when we need food. When we are scared, chemical reactions in our muscles
allow us to run away from danger. Chemistry drives life.
REFLECT on your learning
1. What property of water explains each of the following observations?
(a) Sugar, salt, alcohol, and acids dissolve well in water.
(b) Wet clothes take a long time to dry at room temperature.
2. What does the expression “like dissolves like” mean?
3. Why are carbon-based molecules so common in living organisms?
4. Why can cows survive on grass but humans cannot?
5. Peeled potatoes turn brown. Why does a quick dip in scalding water stop the
browning reaction?
NEL
 TRY THIS activity The Cat’s Meow
Homogenized (homo) cow’s milk contains almost 87% water and 3% fat. The
rest is made up of dissolved carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and vitamins.
Common food colouring contains small amounts of dye dissolved in water.
Dishwashing detergent is composed of long hydrocarbon chains with groups
of charged atoms at the ends.
Materials: petri dish or small pie plate; homogenized milk; water-soluble red,
blue, green, and yellow food colouring in liquid form; 4 dropper bottles for the
food colouring; liquid dishwashing detergent; 1 toothpick
• Pour just enough homogenized milk to cover the bottom of the container.
Let the milk sit undisturbed for 10 s.
• Near the edges of the container, add two drops of each food colouring,
one colour at each of the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions.
• Dip the toothpick into the dishwashing detergent and gently allow a drop
of the detergent to touch the milk in the centre of the container.
• Observe what happens.
(a) Form a hypothesis that might explain your observations.
(b) Design a controlled experiment to test your hypothesis.
(c) If you have time and teacher approval, carry out your experiment.
(d) Provide a possible explanation of the phenomenon you observed
based on the results of your experiments.

NEL The Chemical Basis of Life 7