Explaining biological phenomena on a

molecular level!
 Metabolism
Chemical reactions that occur in living organisms
Allow organism growth, reproduction, maintenance,
environmental response
Takes place in the cells of an organism
Reactions take place in controlled sequences &
cycles called metabolic pathways.
Reactions are controlled by catalysts (enzymes) that
are reaction specific
Energy from one step usually drives another step
 Anabolism pathway of synthesis
Creation of larger molecules from
smaller molecules
Requires energy
EX: protein synthesis, carbohydrates from
photosynthesis, DNA from nucleotides
Catabolism pathway of decomposition
Larger molecules broken down into
smaller molecules
Releases energy (ATP adenosine
triphosphate)
EX: breakdown of glucose in respiration,
oxidation of fatty acids
Photosynthesis
Process used by plants to synthesize
energy-rich molecules such as
carbohydrates from CO2 and H2O using light energy
6CO2 (g) + 6H2O (l) C6H12O6 (aq) + 6O2 (g) H +
Absorption of light by pigments (chlorophyll)
Series of redox reactions split water into H2 +
O2, H2 reduces CO2 to simple sugar molecule.
O2 is waste product.
Many intermediates, electron carriers,
enzymes involved
Cellular Respiration
Energy-richmolecules such as carbohydrates are broken
down in the presence of O2 to provide energy for cells.
Actual process involves up to 50 different redox reactions with
different enzymes along the way
Some energy is released from glucose under anaerobic conditions (glycolysis
stage), most is released under aerobic conditions

C6H12O6 (aq) + 6O2 (g) 6H2O (l) + 6CO2 (g) H -

 Biomolecules
Proteins made from linking amino acids by peptide bonds
Lipids fats, steroids
Carbohydrates Cx (H2O)y , monosaccharides,
polysaccharides
Nucleotides phosphate group, ribose sugar group,
nitrogenous base. Polymers form RNA & DNA
Co-enzymes metabolic intermediates (such as ATP) that
carry chemical groups or energy between different
reactions
 Condensation & Hydrolysis Reactions
Biopolymers are formed by condensation reactions
2 small molecules form 1 larger one + water
Each molecule must have 2 reactive functional groups
Proteins formed from amino acids
Hydrolysis is the reverse of condensation
Water reacts with larger molecule to break a bond
and form 2 smaller molecules
Starches hydrolyse to form monosaccharides during
digestion
Sucrose -> glucose, fructose