Biochemistry Notes

Chemical Reactions
Chemical equations Activation energy
X+Y

Process by which atoms are reorganized into new substances Products

Reactants

C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O Minimum amount of energy required to begin a chemical reaction
Activation energy
X+Y

Activation energy

Energy
Energy released
XY XY

Energy absorbed

Time

Time

Exergonic reaction

Endergonic reaction

Enzymes

Biological catalysts
Lower activation energy (lowers the speed bump) names usually end in -ase

Active site

Lock & Key model

Factors that affect enzymes

1

pH temperature concentrations (substrate & enzyme)

Water

Structure

Essential for all life o found inside cells o surrounds cells o carries nutrients & wastes Two hydrogen and one oxygen Covalent bonds Unequal sharing of electrons eo Creates polar molecule
+

H+

H+

H+

Properties of water

Covalent bond

O-

e-

O_

stores heat efficiently _ o helps homeostasis bonds (sticks) to itself and other substances by forming hydrogen bonds - attraction of hydrogen atom (+)on one molecule to negative region on another polar molecule o cohesion: sticking to the same
substance (water to water)

surface tension o adhesion: sticking to a different

substance (water to polar molecule)

capillary action dissolves many substances universal solvent Acids & Bases Acids Bases pH Water molecules disassociate H2O H+ + OH create extra H+ in water create extra OH- in water scale from 0 to 14 >7 = base 7 = neutral (pure water) <7 = acid

Organic compounds
2

contain carbon complex molecules made by living things

Four types

1. Carbohydrates
2. 3.

Lipids Proteins

4. Nucleic Acids

Carbohydrates
Function Building blocks Structure

Usually end in -ose Also known as sugars Energy for cells Structure for some organisms -> monosaccharides (single sugars) C, H, & O 1:2:1 ratio
Monosaccharides o Glucose, fructose Disaccharides o Sucrose, lactose Polysaccharides o Glycogen(animals) & starch(plants)
Used for energy storage

Examples

o Cellulose (plant cell walls) & chitin (exoskeletons) Used for support

Lipids
Function Long-term energy storage Insulation & protection Cell membranes Glycerol & fatty acids
o can be saturated (single bonds/straight) or unsaturated (double bonds/kinked)

Building blocks

Structure

C, H, & O Nonpolar molecules o Insoluble in water

Fats & oils Waxes Phospholipids (cell membranes) Steroids

Examples

Proteins
Function Structure Transport Movement

Building blocks

Defense Regulation amino acids

o 20 amino acids o Each amino acid has a different structure & shape Polar and nonpolar o Joined by peptide bonds Proteins also called polypeptides

C, H, O & N Each protein has a unique shape Structure

- Shape is determined by amino acids that make up protein Shape determines function

Examples

(Remember: structure & function!) Collagen in skin Hemoglobin in red blood cells Actin in muscle fibers Antibodies Hormones (insulin); enzymes

Nucleic acids
Function Building blocks

Genetic material (genes) Protein synthesis Nucleotides - have 3 parts

5 carbon sugar Base Phosphate group

Structure Examples

C, H, O, N & P

Nucleotides joined in long strands

DNA RNA

Building & breaking macromolecules

Dehydration synthesis
4

Enzymes are used to both build and break Monomers (building blocks) join to

make polymers, which are also called macromolecules

Reaction produces water

Hydrolysis

Breaking polymers apart into monomers Reaction uses water (opposite of dehydration)