what’s so special about water?

What’s so special about water?

It’s a great solvent.

It holds tons of heat.

It has high surface tension.

It’s less dense as a solid than a liquid.

Water, pH and Biological Molecules

Water as a Solvent

Dissolving table salt (sodium chloride)

Water Is Less Dense as Solid than as a Liquid

This means that ice forms an insulating blanket over water.

Water Has High Surface Tension

The attraction of one water molecule for another also accounts for ability to hold huge amounts of heat.

pH is a Big Deal

pH is a measure of proton (hydrogen ion or H+) concentration .

In biology, keeping H+ levels within a narrow range is critically important.

Low pH = lots of H+s, high pH = few H+s.

Acids and Bases

An acid produces H+ A base absorbs H+

Carbon’s Cool

Because carbon contains 4 electrons in its outer shell, it can pair in many ways with many different atoms in an “attempt” to fill its outer shell.

Carbon is the central atom of life.

Carbon is the Central Atom of Life.

glucose

amino acids

fat

Some Useful Nomenclature

In Biology, Shape Matters

Its not just chemical formula, it’s the shape of the molecule that lets it do its “job”.

Never forget the axiom – structure dictates function.

Some biological molecules.

Ah, That Smell!

Once again, shape matters. It’s the good fit between odorant and receptor molecule that lets us detect aromas.

Molecules of Life

Start with water, add lots of small carbon-containing molecules and …….

Four Major Classes of Biological Molecules

How do you build a cell?

Rules of the Game

Macromolecules are built by linking a set of building blocks (monomers) together into long chains (a polymer).

Each hexagon is this figure is a monomeric building block linked together to form a polymer.

Macromolecules Are Built By Linking a Set Of Building Blocks (Monomers) Together Into Long Chains (A Polymer).

Glucose: A Simple Carbohydrate Used For Energy Production and as a Building Block For Complex Carbohydrates

Linking Simple Sugars – the First Step to a Polymer and the Last Step to Some Familiar Compounds

Some Familiar and Important Complex Carbohydrates

Note the way complex macromolecule are built by linking simple repeating units.

Carbohydrates are Central Players in Energy Production and Storage

Lipids are Hydrophobic Molecules That Exist In Three Primary Forms

Sterol

FatPhospholipid

Fats Are Made By Linking Fatty Acid Chains to Glycerol, a Three Carbon Molecule

Space-filling model of a fat

A fatty acid

Fats are Used in Energy Storage and Production

The Degree Of Saturation In A Fat Affects Its Physical And Nutritional Properties

Where are the double bonds?

The Degree Of Saturation In A Fat Affects Its Physical And Nutritional Properties

Where are the double bonds?

saturated

monounsaturated

polyunsaturated

Sterols Are Part of Cellular Membranes and Act as Hormones

Note the four ring structure common to all sterols.

Sterols As Hormones

Estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and corticosteriods (cortisol) are all steroid hormones.

Sterols As Hormones

“Designer steroids” are major sporting news where they have been used illegally in track and field, baseball, football and countless other sports.

A heavily muscled Linford Christie who was disqualified from international competition after testing positive for a banned steroid.

Phospholipids are Building Blocks of Cellular Membranes

The hydrophilic head group and hydrophobic tails are the keys to phospholipid function.

Hydrophilic Head Group And Hydrophobic Tails Are The Keys To Phospholipid Function

Phospholipids have a Jekyll and Hyde personality.

Phospholipids Form Biological Membranes

Protein

Proteins are THE key elements of life. Forget DNA, proteins rule.

Remember the principle - structure determines function.

Since proteins are the key players of the cell, it follows that protein structure determines cell function.

Some of the Diverse Functions of Proteins

Strands of the Protein Keratin Create Hair

Proteins are Linear Chains of Linked Amino Acids

A Common Thread and a Unique Identity

Amino Acids, Peptide Bonds, Polypeptides, Protein

Peptide bonds

Proteins are linear chains of 20 different building blocks called amino acids.

Amino acids are linked by peptide bonds – a form of covalent bond.

Proteins are Folded Structures Whose Shape (and therefore function) Depends on Amino Acid Sequence

Nucleic Acids

There are two kinds of nucleic acids, DNA and RNA. Both are involved in the storage and flow of information from gene to gene product.

DNA

Nucleotides are DNA and RNA Building Blocks

Nucleotides fuel the cell and coordinate its metabolism.

Nucleotides are Important in Their Own Right

ATP, the cell’s primary energy currency.