SU 1

• Biochemistry


  Biology + Chemistry = 2 distinct disciplines combined
• "Bio" not just a mere adjective describing the chemistry
• Chemistry


  Study of matter (occupies space, has mass)
• Biology


  Bio (life) + logos (knowledge) = knowledge of life
• Biochemistry


  Gaining knowledge about the chemistry of life/chemical processes in living organisms
• Biochemistry in terms of size sits between chemistry and biology
• Particles studied in different disciplines

  • Atoms (chemistry)
  • Particles smaller than a single atom (particle physics)
  • Entire cell/parts of it (biology)
• Molecules are lifeless yet they make up living things
• Living systems have distinct properties compared to their non-living counterparts
• Composition of living organisms vs earth's crust

  • C, H, N, O = 99% of human body
  • O, Si, Al, Fe = earth's crust
• H and O exist mainly as H2O
• Biomolecules

  Molecules within a living organism, all contain carbon
• Carbon


  • Can form 4 bonds (number of unpaired e- outer shell)
  • Atoms commonly linked (covalently) to C is C, H, O, N
• Atoms linked to C

  • Hydrogen - 1
  • Oxygen - 2
  • Nitrogen - 3
• C, O, N can share 2 electron pairs → double bonds with one another within biomolecules
• C, N can share 3 electron pairs → triple bond
• Properties of C covalent bonds

  • Carbon forms covalent bonds with itself
  • Tetrahedral nature of the 4 covalent bonds when C is singly bonded
• Variety of linear, branched, and cyclic carbon compounds
• Diversity multiplied when you consider H, O, and N
• C has the ability to form complex structures in 3-D
• These structures including H, O, N atoms can display unique chemistries suitable to the living state
• Compounds in cells have wide variety of molecular dimensions
• As the molecules are sorted, organizational pattern emerges
• Biomolecules are built according to a structural hierarchy i.e. smaller molecules building complex structures
• Smaller monomers come together to form polymers
• Hierarchy


  • Inorganic precursors assimilated and transformed via metabolic processes → metabolites
  • Metabolites are organic compounds which serve as intermediates in energy transformation and in the biosynthesis of building blocks
  • Covalent linking of the building blocks/subunits → macromolecules
  • Interactions between different macromolecules → supramolecular complexes
  • An assembly of macromolecules → organelles
• Supramolecular complexes


  • When classes of macromolecules form an assembly that serves an important subcellular function
  • Structural integrity held by weak non-covalent forces (weak but many such bonds)
• Organelles


  • Found only in eukaryotic cells i.e. cells of higher organisms
  • Membrane bound cellular inclusions
  • Have dedicated cellular tasks
• Organelle functions


  • Nucleus: house cell's genetic material
  • Mitochondria: metabolic hub of the cells
  • Chloroplast: photosynthesis
• Membranes


  • Define the boundaries of cells and organelles
  • Resembles supramolecular complexes in construction-made of lipids and proteins held by noncovalent forces
• Hydrophobic interactions


  • Maintain membrane structure
  • Water interacts with water rather than nonpolar molecules
  • Water ordered around nonpolar groups
  • Creative means of membrane formation
  • Presumably established the boundary of first cell
• Membranes of organelles differ from 1 another having unique lipid and protein content according to organelle function
• Organelles housed in cell = unit of life, smallest entity displaying attributes associated with the living state
• Cosmos


  The world, the universe and the whole of creation, an all-embracing concept that includes visible things, invisible things and abstract things
• Modality


  A manner of existence or a way of acting
• Basic sciences


  Main objective is increasing knowledge of a certain modality of the cosmos, study of laws and the identification of principles are important
• Applied sciences


  The objective is to apply knowledge and findings of basic sciences in the service of a particular area of society
• Technical sciences


  Concerned with the development and application of instruments or techniques that can be applied by other sciences or society
• Philosophy


  Objective is knowledge of the coherence of the totality of the cosmos, including the unity and variety in the cosmos, focuses on coherence and totality, whereas the subject science focuses on a particular subsection or aspect of the cosmos
• Philosophy of science


  An important part of philosophy that focuses on knowledge of knowledge