Chapter

1 The Biochemical Basis of Life

What Types of Chemicals Make Up  

Key Concepts
After completing this chapter you will
be able to
• describe the types of bonds that
are found in biological molecules
and interactions
• describe the unusual properties
of water
• compare the functional groups
that contribute to the structure and
function of biological molecules
• describe how the reactions
involved in biochemical
processes can be subdivided into
major classes and contribute to
normal cellular function
• describe the major classes of
biological molecules and their
structural and functional roles
• understand that enzymes are
involved in all biochemical
reactions controlled by the cell
• compare technologies that use and
manipulate enzymes to achieve a
desired product or process
• understand the potential
environmental and social
impacts of various biochemical
technologies
Living Things?
Every second, millions of complex chemical reactions are taking place in your
body. Your cells are continuously working and carrying out these reactions,
without any disruption in your daily activities. Your cells are mixtures of thou-
sands of different chemical compounds, which are arranged into various cel-
lular structures and perform a myriad of tasks. For example, more than a dozen
chemical enzymes, such as DNA polymerase, DNA ligase, primase, helicase, and
topoisomerase, are required to drive DNA replication in your cells. The process of
active cellular transport requires proteins, such as channel proteins, aquaporins,
and carrier proteins. Many of your cells transport chemicals that are used in other
parts of your body. For example, your red blood cells contain the chemical hemo-
globin, which is essential for transporting oxygen throughout your body.
Cells come in many types and have numerous functions. At their most
basic, they are tiny packages of self-replicating chemical processors. They are
organized to work together and against each other to sustain life. Therefore,
knowledge of the fundamental concepts of chemistry is necessary to under-
stand how living systems function. Scientists have a deep understanding of the
chemical basis of life, but there are still many unsolved mysteries.
At the core of all cellular structures and processes are four main groups
of organic compounds. These compounds include a wide variety of carbo-
hydrates, fats (lipids), proteins, and nucleic acids. These compounds must be
either synthesized by the cell or consumed in foods, in forms that can either
be used immediately by the cells or that can be dismantled and rearranged. As
you will learn in this chapter, these four types of compounds are responsible
for thousands of functions and interactions performed by the cells. Biological
macromolecules can react with oxygen in the cells to provide chemical energy
in biological systems. Some molecules, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which are
contained only in certain foods, can help to fight off diseases and illnesses.
Collectively, the four biological macromolecules enable cells to function.
Understanding how these molecules carry out their roles will help you under-
stand how your body functions from day to day.

Starting POINTS

Answer the following questions based on your current knowledge.
You will have a chance to revisit these questions later, applying
concepts and skills you have learned in the chapter.
1. (a) What kind of foods do you think of when you hear
the terms “carbohydrates,” “fats,” and “proteins”?
(b) How do you think carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
compare in terms of their chemical and physical
properties?
(c) Suggest ways that your body uses these nutrients,
and explain how an excess of these nutrients could
have a negative impact on your body.
2. The molecules of living things exhibit a very wide range
of chemical and physical properties. Brainstorm some
of the properties that might be particularly useful for
molecules that serve the following biological roles:
(a)  an energy storage molecule
(b)  protection from predators
(c)  a catalyst
(d)  the building material for a cell membrane

6    Chapter 1 • The Biochemical Basis of Life NEL

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 Mini Investigation
Getting Physical with Biochemistry
Skills: Performing, Observing, Analyzing
When living things use a biological substance to perform a
task, the substance must have suitable properties. One of
the most important properties of a biological substance is
solubility. In this activity, you will examine the solubility and
physical state of some common biological substances.
Equipment and Materials: balance; test tubes; stirring rods;
500 mL beaker; distilled water; hot water; samples such as
starch, glucose, sucrose, cellulose fibre, egg albumin, beeswax,
butter, olive oil, and table salt
1. Measure 0.1 g of each substance.
2. Add each weighed sample to 10 mL of distilled water in a
labelled test tube. Stir each mixture.
3. Fill the beaker with hot water from the tap. You will use
this as a water bath.
4. Place the test tubes in the water bath, and stir each
mixture vigorously for 1 min.
NEL
7923_Bio_Ch01.indd 7
skills
handbook A2.1
5. Record the state of each substance (solid or liquid) and
its solubility.
A. How do you think the solubility of a substance affects its
chemical reactivity in solution?  T/I
B. Suggest reasons why some substances dissolve in water,
while others do not. How do you think the size of a
molecule affects its solubility?  T/I
C. How might the properties of wax be useful for living
things?  T/I
D. Which of the substances you tested formed a suspension,
rather than a solution, in water? How do you know?  T/I
E. Do you think blood is an example of a solution, a
suspension, or both? Explain.  K/U
F. Consider milk and other suspensions in nature that
contain suspended proteins and fats. How do they differ
from solutions and why might suspensions be particularly
valuable for living things?  T/I
Introduction    7
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