Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham

CHAPTER 1
Chemistry is the Logic of Biological
Phenomena
to accompanychemistry, 2/e
by
Reginald Garrett and Charles Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham

Outline
• 1.1 Distinctive Properties of Living
Systems
• 1.2 Biomolecules: Molecules of Life
• 1.3 Biomolecular Hierarchy
• 1.4 Properties of Biomolecules
• 1.5 Organization and Structure of Cells
• 1.6 Viruses as Cell Parasites
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham

On Life and Chemistry...

• “Living things are composed of

lifeless molecules” (Albert
Lehninger)

• “Chemistry is the logic of biological

phenomena” (Garrett and Grisham)
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham

1.1 Distinctive Properties of

Living Systems
• Organisms are complicated and highly
organized
• Biological structures serve functional
purposes
• Living systems are actively engaged in
energy transformations
• Living systems have a remarkable
capacity for self-replication
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham

1.2 Biomolecules: The

Molecules of Life
H, O, C and N make up 99+% of atoms in the
human body

ELEMENT PERCENTAGE
Oxygen 63
Hydrogen 25.2
Carbon 9.5
Nitrogen 1.4
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham

1.2 Biomolecules: The

Molecules of Life
• What property unites H, O, C and N and
renders these atoms so appropriate to
the chemistry of life?

• Answer: Their ability to form covalent

bonds by electron-pair sharing.
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham

1.2 Biomolecules: The

Molecules of Life
What are the bond energies of covalent
bonds?
Bond Energy kJ/mol
H-H 436
C-H 414
C-C 343
C-O 351
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham

1.3 A Biomolecular Hierarchy

Simple Molecules are the Units for
Building Complex Structures
• Metabolites and Macromolecules
• Organelles
• Membranes
• The Unit of Life is the Cell
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham

1.4 Properties of Biomolecules Reflect

Their Fitness to the Living Condition
• Macromolecules and Their Building
Blocks Have a “Sense” or Directionality
• Macromolecules are Informational
• Biomolecules Have Characteristic Three-
Dimensional Architecture
• Weak Forces Maintain Biological
Structure and Determine Biomolecular
Interactions
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham

1.4 Properties of
Biomolecules Reflect Their
Fitness to the Living Condition
Important numbers!
• van der Waals: 0.4-4.0 kJ/mole
• Hydrogen bonds: 12-30 kJ/mole
• Ionic bonds: 20 kJ/mole
• Hydrophobic interactions: <40 kJ/mole
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham

Two Important Points About

Weak Forces

• Biomolecular Recognition is Mediated

by Weak Chemical Forces

• Weak Forces Restrict Organisms to a

Narrow Range of Environmental
Conditions
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham

Organization and Structure of

Cells
• Prokaryotic cells
– A single (plasma) membrane
– no nucleus or organelles
• Eukaryotic cells
– much larger in size than prokaryotes
– 103-104 times larger!
– Nucleus plus many organelles
– ER, Golgi, mitochondria, etc.
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham
Biochemistry 2/e - Garrett & Grisham