Fundamentals of Biochemistry

Chapter-OneChapter-OneChapter-OneChapter-One Molecular logic of life Physical foundations of life Chemical foundations of life Genetic & evolutionary foundations of life

Foundations of BiochemistryFoundations of BiochemistryFoundations of BiochemistryFoundations of Biochemistry

Universe is 15-20 billion years old BIG BANGInitially H2 was made then condensed to He Stars formed-Stars died, Super novas exploded creating higher atomic number elements. Over the billions of years under the right conditions complex molecules formed. Complicated chemical reactions started occurring - intermolecular interactions and carbon based chemistry developed.

From this milieu sprang the property of

LIFELIFELIFELIFE

Biochemistry is the study of this process on a chemical level

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Molecular Logic of LifeMolecular Logic of LifeMolecular Logic of LifeMolecular Logic of Life

These physical laws describe several axioms that make up the Molecular Logic of Life. These axioms define:

Energy converted to workCatalytic chemical transformationsAssembly of molecules with great complexity from simple subunits.Complex molecules combine to form supra molecular components, organelles and finally assemble into a cell.Store and pass on instructions for the assembly of all future generations from simple non-living precursors.

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Chemical foundation of life

There has been life on earth for the past 3.5 billion years.

Although there are several well established theories; the origin of life remain controversial.

The most famous theory is the premordial soup

Stanely Miller mixed

Some simple chemicalsApplied a strong electric chargeWaited for some timeIn his experiment he managed to create

complex biological molecule (amino acids)

Although the conditions Miller mimicked in the lab didnt absolutely represent the in vivo conditions but his experiment gives some clue about the origin of life.

Life is not just all about making complex molecules.

There are at list two key aspects of lifeThe ability to carry out controlled chemical

reactions metabolismThe ability to store and pass on genetic

information.In the presence of this key biological aspects Self replication is possibleChemical entities are able to make a copy of

itself

Common Functional GroupsCommon Functional GroupsCommon Functional GroupsCommon Functional Groups

Arise from simple organic compounds

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Condensation reactionsCondensation reactionsCondensation reactionsCondensation reactionsChemical Evolution, simple molecules condense to form more complex forms (polymers)

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Replication through complementarity More complex molecules

increases chemical versatility

Specific pairing of functional groups gives rise to complementarity

Complementarity makes it possible for macromolecules to replicate

Over time natural selection favored molecules that made accurate copies of themselves

The Physical Laws of LifeThe Physical Laws of LifeThe Physical Laws of LifeThe Physical Laws of Life

Living organisms operate within the same physical laws that apply to physics and chemistry:

Conservation of Mass, EnergyConservation of Mass, EnergyConservation of Mass, EnergyConservation of Mass, EnergyLaws of ThermodynamicsLaws of ThermodynamicsLaws of ThermodynamicsLaws of ThermodynamicsLaws of Chemical KineticsLaws of Chemical KineticsLaws of Chemical KineticsLaws of Chemical KineticsPrinciples of Chemical ReactionsPrinciples of Chemical ReactionsPrinciples of Chemical ReactionsPrinciples of Chemical Reactions

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Cell multi cell, varied and diverse and evolutionary processes lead to diversity but life has many common themes and processes.

Organic compounds found in living organisms are a product of Biological Activity

Biomolecules are selected by evolution- the fit are kept, the not fit are discarded.

The more fit remain and continue to evolve.

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Biomolecules have the same bonds, bond lengths, Biomolecules have the same bonds, bond lengths, Biomolecules have the same bonds, bond lengths, Biomolecules have the same bonds, bond lengths, strength, 3D structures and chemical reactivities as strength, 3D structures and chemical reactivities as strength, 3D structures and chemical reactivities as strength, 3D structures and chemical reactivities as inanimate matter!inanimate matter!inanimate matter!inanimate matter!

The vast complexity of the molecules, no matter how they interact, The vast complexity of the molecules, no matter how they interact, The vast complexity of the molecules, no matter how they interact, The vast complexity of the molecules, no matter how they interact, follow the physical laws of nature.follow the physical laws of nature.follow the physical laws of nature.follow the physical laws of nature.

Therefore Physics and Chemistry must be able to Therefore Physics and Chemistry must be able to Therefore Physics and Chemistry must be able to Therefore Physics and Chemistry must be able to completely define completely define completely define completely define life!!!life!!!life!!!life!!!

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From 3D structure to antibody interaction, hormone function to replication and reproduction i.e.. from Birth-Death.

Life is defined within the Life is defined within the Life is defined within the Life is defined within the physical laws of Chemistry and physical laws of Chemistry and physical laws of Chemistry and physical laws of Chemistry and PhysicsPhysicsPhysicsPhysics

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The Essential Role of WaterThe Essential Role of WaterThe Essential Role of WaterThe Essential Role of WaterH2O is the key to understanding the behavior of macromolecules. It is the solvent of life and all living transformations occur in an aqueous media-

Life is thought to arise from the sea.

Even water-insoluble compounds such as lipid membranes derive their nature and function by their interactions with H2O. Living organisms are composed of lifeless molecules that conform to the physical laws of nature.

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However, the collective behavior of these many molecules and their combined interactions, yield extraordinary properties.

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Genetic & evolutionary foundation of Biochemistry

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