In this chapter, the following content will be discussed: Distinctive properties of living systems, biomolecules: molecules of life, biomolecular hierarchy, properties of biomolecules, organization and structure of cells, viruses as cell parasites. | CHAPTER 1 Chemistry is the Logic of Biological Phenomena to accompany Biochemistry, 2/e by Reginald Garrett and Charles Grisham All rights reserved. Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be mailed to: Permissions Department, Harcourt Brace & Company, 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, Florida 32887-6777 Outline Distinctive Properties of Living Systems Biomolecules: Molecules of Life Biomolecular Hierarchy Properties of Biomolecules Organization and Structure of Cells Viruses as Cell Parasites On Life and Chemistry. “Living things are composed of lifeless molecules” (Albert Lehninger) “Chemistry is the logic of biological phenomena” (Garrett and Grisham) 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 Biomolecules: The Molecules of Life H, O, C and N make up 99+% of atoms in the human body ELEMENT PERCENTAGE Oxygen 63 Hydrogen Carbon Nitrogen 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. 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 A Biomolecular Hierarchy Simple Molecules are the Units for Building Complex Structures Metabolites and Macromolecules Organelles Membranes The Unit of Life is the Cell 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 . | CHAPTER 1 Chemistry is the Logic of Biological Phenomena to accompany Biochemistry, 2/e by Reginald Garrett and Charles Grisham All rights reserved. Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be mailed to: Permissions Department, Harcourt Brace & Company, 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, Florida 32887-6777 Outline Distinctive Properties of Living Systems Biomolecules: Molecules of Life Biomolecular Hierarchy Properties of Biomolecules Organization and Structure of Cells Viruses as Cell Parasites On Life and Chemistry. “Living things are composed of lifeless molecules” (Albert Lehninger) “Chemistry is the logic of biological phenomena” (Garrett and Grisham) 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 Biomolecules:
