Biochemistry

1. Biochemistry Functional Groups

2. Carbon—The Backbone of Biological Molecules • All living organisms • Are made up of chemicals based mostly on carbon due to its bonding ability • All life considered “carbon based life-forms”

3. Chapter 4 • Organic chemistry • the study of carbon compounds • Organic compoundshave carbon in them (& usually H) • Exception: CO2 is considered INORGANIC • Range from simple to big molecules

4. Organic? • For a long time, the term organic was strictly associated with the chemistry of life. Until scientists gained the ability to synthesize carbon compounds, the only “factories” making carbon compounds were living organisms, hence the connection to “all natural”.

5. Formation of Bonds w/ Carbon • Carbon atoms • forms diverse molecules • b/c carbon has 4valence electrons bind to to 4 other atoms • can form 4 covalent bonds with itself or other atoms  very important in living things! • Carbon has bonding versatility • allows it to form many diverse molecules, including carbon skeletons (carbon “chains”)

7. Hydrogen (valence = 1) Oxygen (valence = 2) Nitrogen (valence = 3) Carbon (valence = 4) H O N C Figure 4.4 The electron configuration of carbon • Gives it covalent compatibilitywith many different elements

8. Molecular Diversity Arising from Carbon Skeleton Variation • Carbon chains • Form skeletons of most organic molecules • Vary in length and shape • Straight • Branched • Rings

9. Hydrocarbons • Organic molecules consisting of only C and H • Ex: petroleum; lipid ‘tails’ • Found in many of cell’s organic molecules • Ex: fat molecules • Covalent bonding btw C-H nonpolar (hydrophoic) • High energy storage

10. Fat droplets (stained red) 100 µm (b) Mammalian adipose cells (a) A fat molecule Figure 4.6 A, B Example of a Hydrocarbon

11. Functional Groups • Functional groups • parts of organic molecules involved in chemical rxns (i.e.-chemically reactive groups) • each functional group behaves in a consistentfashion from 1 organic molecule to the next • # & arrangement of groups helps give molecules unique, distinctive chemical properties

12. 6 functional groups important in chemistry of life • Hydroxyl • Carbonyl • Carboxyl • Amino • Sulfhydryl • Phosphate • Methyl (yes…another one)

13. Functional Groups • Attachments replace 1+ of H’s bonded to C skeleton of the hydrocarbon • Each GROUP are HYDROPHILIC  increase organic molecule solubility in water 1. Hydroxyl Group (-OH) • H bonded to O • Make alcohols, sugars • polar (b/c of oxygen electronegivity) • soluble in water (attracts H20)

14. Ethanol and Sugar • Ethanol: • Sugar:

15. Functional Groups 2. Carbonyl Group (C=O) • C double bond to O • Aldehyde(at the end of C skeleton) • Ketone (INSIDE Carbon skeleton) • Ex: Acetone, Propanal

16. Ketone • Aldehyde • **Think: all the way at the end!

17. Functional Groups cont’d 3. Carboxyl Group (-COOH) • O double bonded to C to hydroxyl • Carboxylic acids (organic acids) • Covalent bond between O and H • Polar

18. Functional Groups cont’d 4. Amino Group (-NH2) • N to 2 H atoms • Makes Amines • Acts as a base (+1) • Also makes AMINO ACIDS Have both amino and carboxyl groups

19. Functional Groups cont’d 5. Sulfhydral Group (-SH) • sulfur bonded to H

20. Functional Groups cont’d 6. Phosphate Group (-OPO3-) • Organic phosphates

21. Functional Groups cont’d 7. Methyl Group (-CH3) • Usually not as reactive as other groups • Used in gene expression

22. Male or Female!! • Only one little itty bitty difference that separates the sexes