Metabolism Overview
Metabolism is defined as the chemical reactions that occur within an organism that are used to maintain life. These processes synthesize and breakdown molecules within the body, allowing us to gain vital nutrients, build muscle, make energy, carry out homeostasis, among many, many, many other things.
|
|
|
Synthesis of Urea and the Falsification of Vitalism
In the late 1700 and 1800s scientists first classified chemicals as either organic and inorganic. Organic molecules dealt with substances found in living things. The idea was the organic molecules were different because they were held together by a "vital force."
|
|
After Wohler's discover, this lead to the field of organic chemistry and ultimately the field of biochemistry.
|
Carbon and Biomolecules
Carbon is an element unique to the building of life. Due to Carbon having 4 valance electrons means it wants 4 more electrons to complete its outter shell. THis means it can create 4 bonds per molecules of carbon. Carbon is also a relatively small molecule, which allows it to bend, fold, and create very differnet kinds of structures. As a result of both of these abilities, carbon has the unique ability to create very large macromolecules. These macromolecules are essential to life.
|
|
Types of Reactions
Chemical reactions can occur in two formats
Anabolic ReactionsANABOLIC: Building up molecules
Anabolism is the synthesis of complex molecules (polymers) from simple molecules (monomers).
Dehydration (condensation) reaction: C + H2O --> A + B |
Catabolic reactionsCATABOLIC: breaking down molecules
Catabolism is the breakdown of complex molecules (polymers) into simple molecules (monomers).
Hydrolysis reaction: A + B --> C +H2O |
Identification and Drawing Biomolecules
Before starting, a few things to know about organic chemistry and their structures:
|
You should be able to draw the following molecules: glucose, ribose, saturated fatty acid, and a generalize amino acid.