Topic 2.1Molecules to Metabolism
Urea & Falsification of Vitalism
Vitalism – theory the origin and phenomena of life are due to a vital principle, which is different from chemical or physical forces.
Organic compounds could only be made with the help of a “vital principle”
1872 Urea synthesized artificially – first organic compound
NO Vital Principle involved Evidence against theory of vitalism
Scientist accept that processes in living organisms are governed by same chemical and physical forces as in non-living matter
Hemoglobin still not able to be synthesized in lab
Urea Nitrogen-containing compound w/ simple structure Component of urine
Naturally produced when excess of amino acids in body, to remove nitrogen
Chemical reactions in liver, catalyzed by enzymes produce Urea Transported to kidneys urine Artificially ammonia + carbon dioxide ammonium carbamate urea +
water 100 million tons produced annually. Nitrogen fertilizer
carbon
15th most abundant element on earth Forms up to 4 covalent bonds with other atoms,
allowing for complex structures Forms single, double & triple bonds
C
Carbohydrates
Carbon, hydrogen & oxygen
2 Hydrogen:1 Oxygen
Lipids
Insoluble in water
Steroids, waxes, fatty acids, triglycerides
Triglycerides: fats if solid at room temp, oils if liquid
Proteins
One or more chains of amino acids
All amino acids contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen & nitrogen
20 amino acids contain sulfer
Nucleic acids
Chains of nucleotides
Nucleotides contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorous
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Ribonucleic acid
Functional groups
Methyl Group
Hydroxyl Group
Amino Group
Carboxyl Group
Aldehyde Group
Ketone Group
Ribose C5H10O5
5-membered ring with side chain 4 carbon atoms in ring, one in side chain Carbons numbered starting with number 1 on right Hydroxyl groups (OH) on carbons 1, 2 & 3 point up,
down, and down respectively
Glucose
C6H12O6
Six-membered ring with side chain 5 carbons in ring, one in side chain Carbons numbered starting with 1 on right Hydroxyl group (OH) on carbons 1, 2, 3, 4 point down, down, up
and down *** glucose in plants making cellulose: hydroxyl points up.
Saturated Fatty Acids
Carbon atoms form an unbranched chain Saturated acids contain only single bonds Usually between 14-20 carbon atoms Carboxyl group at one end of chain 3-hydrogen atoms at other end All middle carbons bonded to 2 hydrogen atoms
Amino Acids
Carbon in center of molecule, bonded to 4 different things
An amine group A carboxyl group A hydrogen atom The R group, which is variable
Identifying molecules
Proteins contain C, H, O and N Many proteins contain sulfur. Carbohydrates
and lipids don’t. Carbohydrates contain C, H, O, but No N Carbohydrates contain hydrogen and oxygen
in 2:1 ration Lipids contain less oxygen than
carbohydrates
Metabolism
The sum of all enzyme-catalysed reactions in a cell or organism.
A metabolic pathway is either a chain of events, each catalysed by an enzyme, or a cycle of reaction.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z5q_jRGpCR4/UZ-DCDTG6XI/AAAAAAAAANM/JJ1JZ-ub7JU/s1600/krebs-cycle.jpg
http://staff.jccc.net/pdecell/metabolism/enzymes/feedback.gif
Anabolism vs. Catabolism
Synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones
Monomers macromolecules
(amino acids protein) Condensation reactions
where water is produced Example: ?
• Breakdown of complex molecules to simpler ones
• Macromolecules monomers
(protein amino acid)• Hydrolysis reactions where
water is consumed• Example: ?
http://www.anabolicsmall.com/images/anabolic-steroid-alternatives.jpg
http://www.mariowiki.com/images/d/d6/Mariohammer.jpg
examples
Anabolism Catabolism Protein synthesis in ribosomes *Digestion of food DNA synthesis *Cell respiraton Photosynthesis *Digestion of
complex carbon compounds Synthesis of complex carbohydrates in dead organic matter by
decomposers
including starch, cellulose & glycogen