Intro To Bio Chemistry Flashcards
biochemistry
the study of life at the molecular level, examining the chemistry of living organisms
what are the major biomolecules?
proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids
elements studied in biochemistry
carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes phosphorus and sulfur
why is carbon the basis of life?
it can make 4 bonds and create many different compounds
hydrophilic
attracted to water
hydrophobic
water fearing
electronegativity
a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons (more +ve inside means stronger pull on -vely charged atoms)
proteins
made up of amino acids that contain nitrogen in addition to C, H, and O having similar structures w/ diff. side chains
carbohydrates
consist of C, H, and O molecules and are simple sugars such as glucose, fructose and galactose (disaccharide are sucrose, lactose and polysaccharides are starch)
lipids
composed of fatty acids and glycerol, containing less oxygen than carbs or proteins and are more “reduced” for higher NRG yield when oxidized
nucleic acids
consist of a sugar, base (nitrogen-containing molecule) and a phosphate molecule; important for understanding hoe genetic info. is passed from one cell to another
protein structure
for structure in the body, important to allow for catalysis, protection, transporting nutrients, controlling body processes, providing energy
nucleic acids and information
DNA supplies the info. to create protein molecules which govern biochemical processes; while DNA is passed on from parents, epigenetics may change how much of these proteins are produced
energy
derived from foods we consume (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, etc.) and the nutrients are oxidized to H2O and CO2 to provide ATP energy
fuel metabolism
we must take in all the raw materials to synthesize what our cells need
metabolism
the sum of all catabolic and anabolic processes
catabolism
the breakdown of larger molecules
anabolism
the synthesis of large molecules from small
energy currency of the cell
ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
role of nutrients and oxygen in energy
nutrients supply the fuel, but oxygen is required for efficient energy generation (energy can be produced anaerobically as well)
ATP cycle
ATP is produced through the oxidation of dietary fuels, the high NRG phosphate bond is broken to supply energy, and ADP is regenerated to ATP and the cycle repeats
fed & fasted states
we need a constant supply of energy but we are not always eating, we can survive for extended periods w/o food by using stored supplies (insulin and glucagon control the processes of fuel storage and breakdown)
reactive oxygen species
generated as a byproduct of metabolism, introduced through exposure to environmental pollutants from diet, many chronic diseases are a result of oxidative stress b/c of excess ROS/RNOS
