Microbial Biochemistry Flashcards
Elements in Living Cells
Macronutrients:
• Hydrogen, Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen,
Phosphorus, Sulfur
99% of the dry weight of cells.
Elements in Living Cells
Micronutrients
• Sodium, Potassium, Zinc, Iron, Copper, Vanadium, and others
or trace elements, are required by some cells in very small amounts.
Elements in Living Cells
Organic molecules
• Contain carbon
Elements in Living Cells
Inorganic molecules
• No carbon
• 1-1.5% of living cell’s mass
Organic Molecules
Biochemistry studies the chemistry of life, and its objective is to explain form and function based on chemical principles
◦Organic chemistry studies carbon-based chemistry, which is the foundation for the study of biomolecules and the discipline of biochemistry
Isomerism
Isomers
◦Same atoms, different structure
Structural Isomers
◦Identical molecular formulas
◦Different bonding sequence
Stereoisomers & Enantiomers
Differ in spatial arraignment
Type of stereoisomer
Exhibit chirality
Macromolecules
Large biomolecules
◦Monomers = Building Blocks
◦Dehydration synthesis
◦Polymers = macromolecule
Examples:
◦Carbohydrates
◦Lipids
◦Nucleic acids
◦Proteins
Carbohydrates
Monosaccharides
Simple sugars
◦Building blocks of carbohydrates
◦-ose
◦Triose, Tetrose, Pentose, Hexose
◦Often form rings
Carbohydrates
Disaccharides
Glyosidic bond
◦Covalent bond
◦Connects monomers
Examples:
◦Maltose
◦Lactose
◦Sucrose
Carbohydrates
Polysaccharides
Glycans
◦Typically hundreds of monomers
Examples:
◦Starch
◦Glycogen
◦Cellulose
Lipids
Fatty Acids and Triacylglycerides
Long-chain hydrocarbons
◦Terminates with carboxyl
◦Hydrophobic
◦Saturated vs. Unsaturated
Triacylglycerol
◦Three fatty acids + Glycerol
◦Adipose tissue
◦Energy Storage
Lipids
Phospholipids and Membranes
Components:
◦Two fatty acids
◦Glycerol
◦Phosphate
Amphipathic
◦Hydrophobic & Hydrophilic
Phospholipid Structures
Polar heads
◦Like water
Micelles
◦Hydrophobic interior
Lipid-bilayers
◦Cell membranes
Isoprenoids
Branched lipids
◦Waxes, sebum
◦Bacteria can feed on these
