Biochemistry 440
Autumn Quarter 2002
Professor Rachel Klevit
Textbook:  Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry
      by:  


09/30/02:

		¡§The Molecular Logic of Life¡¨
I. What is Biochemistry?
II. Important properties of living systems
III. Properties of biomolecules¡Kthe molecules of life

Chemical Concepts should KNOW and/or REVIEW
1. General Chemistry Concepts
     covalent versus non-covalent bonding
     hydrogen bonding
     ionization of water
     pH:  strong acids/bases
     disassociation constants
     simple chemical kinetics
2. Organic Chemistry Concepts
     functional groups:  what are they, what can they do
     conformation vs. configuration
     chirality, stereoisomers
3. Simple Math
     how to take log in the head

		Introduction to Biochemistry
Biology:  focuses on living system at levels larger than molecular level
Chemistry:  focuses on properties, structures, and functions of molecules
Biochemistry:  brings chemistry to life
	      describe and understand biology at its fundamental level

		Biology is INCREDIBLY diverse¡K  
		Biochemistry is REMARKABLY similar¡K
	All living systems use the same molecules
		4 base --> DNA
		20 amino acids --> proteins
	BIOLOGY is UNIFIED by biochemistry

		Biomolecules are¡K
1. ORGANIC:  uses the versatility of carbon atom
2. MACROMOLECULAR:
     made from hundreds to thousands of atoms
     many potential functional groups
     fit into CLASSES (ntds, proteins, lipids, carbohydrate¡K)
3. constructed from SIMPLE BUILDING BLOCKS
     amino acids --> protein
     nucleic acids --> DNA and RNA
4. INFORMATIONAL:
     there¡¦s a specific sequence of building blocks „³ function
     information can get passed on
	DNA --> RNA --> protein --> function

		ENERGY:  the currency of life
System = part of universe of interest
Surroundings = everything else in universe
Closed system:
     allows no exchange of matter or energy
Isolated system:
     energy change only
Open system:
     exchange of matter and energy

		Life takes WORK¡K
Macroscopic Processes --> Microscopic Processes
living systems are NOT at equilibrium with surroundings
   **concentration of proteins, ions, etc. in living system
	CANNOT BE EQUAL TO concentration of those in surroundings
     if they are equal --> DEATH

		Living systems obey the Laws of Thermodynamics
The First Law:  ¡§Conservation of Energy¡¨
     total energy of the universe remains CONSTANT
     FORM of energy can change
     BIOLOGY is MASTER energy transformation
The Second Law:
     universe tends towards maximizing ENTROPY
	S = entropy

		FREE ENERGY:  predictor of spontaneity
a SPONTANEOUS process:  can occur WITHOUT imput of energy
Gibbs Free Energy (G):  amount of energy available to perform a process
	delta G > 0, endergonic
	delta G < 0, exergonic (spontaneous)
     coupling exergonic reaction with endergonic reaction to drive the endergonic reaction uphill

10/02/02: