Unit 1 - Biochemistry

Unit 1 – Biochemistry
Chemical Fundamentals
Molecules like lipids, nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates play a big
role in the human bod
The chemistry behind these biologically important molecules – This is

known as BIOCHEMISTRY
Isotopes • When two atoms have the same number of protons and
electrons, but a different number of neutrons, they are called isotopes
(atomic mass differs)
 In a radioisotope, the nucleus in the isotope spontaneously decays
(i.e. breaks apart)
 A radioisotope has a half-life; that is, the amount of time is takes half
of the nuclei to decay.
 They are used in radiometric dating and as radioactive tracers.
Chemical Behavior
• Electrons move around the atomic nucleus at a distance determined by

the amount of energy the electron has.
• The further it is from the nucleus, the greater its potential energy.
• They are found around the nucleus in energy levels (e.g. n = 1, etc.)
• Electrons in the outermost energy level are called valence electrons.
• Valence electrons determine the chemical behaviour of an atom.
Within an energy level electrons are most likely found in volumes of space
around the nucleus called orbitals (e.g. s, p, d, f)
Intra-molecular bonds (between atoms) – Ionic and Covalent

Inter-molecular forces (between molecules) – Hydrogen bonds,
hydrophobic interactions, and other weak forces
Intra-molecular Bonding
 An ionic bond is the force of attraction between positive and

negative charges.
E.g., Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
 A covalent bond forms when two atoms share one or more pairs of
valence electrons. E.g., Water (H2O)
Polarity
Polar Covalent Bonds
• Unequal sharing of an electron pair results in one atom attracting the pair
more strongly than the other atom.
• Due to a difference in electronegativity
• The atoms will take on a partial positive (δ +) or partial negative (δ -)
charge.
*When electronegativities difference is less than about 0.4, the bond is

considered nonpolar; if the difference is greater than 0.4, the bond is
considered polar
VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) Theory

• States that, since electrons are all negatively charged, valence electron
pairs repel one another and will move as far apart as possible
• Results in hybridization of orbitals
Molecular Polarity
POLAR MOLECULE
• Contain polar covalent bonds

• Have asymmetrical arrangement of bonds
WATER
• Polar molecule that has many unique properties

• Called the universal solvent because of its ability to dissolve many ionic
and polar compounds
• Hydrogen bonding (strongest of the intermolecular forces) gives water
properties that supports life on earth
•Polar molecules will usually be soluble in water if they are not too complex.
•These molecules are hydrophilic (water-loving)
•Non-polar molecules are not soluble in water.
•These molecules are hydrophobic (water-hating). §
Hydrogen bonding
Weak force of attraction between slightly positive hydrogen atom and
slightly negative charge on a neighbouring molecule’ s oxygen, nitrogen or
fluorine
Hydrophobic Interactions
Interactions resulting form the tendency of nonpolar molecules to band

together in water
4 Main Biochemical Reactions

 Neutralization
 Redox
 Condensation
 Hydrolysis
ACID
A substance that produces hydrogen ions (H+ ) when it is dissolved in
water.
* Since water is polar it attracts the hydrogen ion to make a

hydronium ion
e.g. Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is a gas

 When mixed with water it forms hydrochloric acid:
Base
A substance that produces hydroxide ions (OH- ) when it is dissolved in
water.
e.g. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a solid

 When mixed with water it forms a base:
Neutralization Reaction
– Acids and bases react to form water and a salt
HCl1(aq) + NaOH(aq) g H2O(l) + NaCl(aq)
Acid – Base Buffers BUFFER:
A substance that helps to reduce major pH level fluctuations

e.g. Human blood operates best at a pH of 7.4 (acceptable blood pH
range: 7.35 to 7.45)
• Natural buffers in our body are able to maintain optimal pH levels by

reacting to neutralize excess acid or excess base
• An important buffer in the human body (both in blood and extracellular
fluid) is the: CARBONIC ACID - BICARBONATE BUFFER SYSTEM
If our blood becomes too basic:
 CO2 and H2O in our blood will react to form carbonic acid (H2CO3 )
 The H2CO3 will dissociate into the bicarbonate ion (HCO3 -) and
hydrogen ions (H+) to decrease blood pH.
How does this buffer system work if the blood pH becomes too acidic?
If our blood becomes too acidic:

The excess hydrogen ions (H+) in the blood will combine with the
bicarbonate ion (HCO3 -) to make more carbonic acid (H2CO3).
This works to raise pH in two ways:

1.Carbonic acid is a weak acid, which raises the pH of the blood.
2.Carbonic acid is converted to H2O and CO2 .
As CO2 is expelled from the body there is a “drive” to make more carbonic
acid in this reaction.
To make more carbonic acid, the excess hydrogen ions in the blood are
used, which raises the pH of the blood.

Unit 1 - Biochemistry

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Unit 1 - Biochemistry

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Unit 1 - Biochemistry

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Unit 1 – Biochemistry

The chemistry behind these biologically important molecules – This is

• Electrons move around the atomic nucleus at a distance determined by

Intra-molecular bonds (between atoms) – Ionic and Covalent

 An ionic bond is the force of attraction between positive and

*When electronegativities difference is less than about 0.4, the bond is

VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) Theory

• Contain polar covalent bonds

• Polar molecule that has many unique properties

Interactions resulting form the tendency of nonpolar molecules to band

4 Main Biochemical Reactions

* Since water is polar it attracts the hydrogen ion to make a

e.g. Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is a gas

e.g. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a solid

HCl1(aq) + NaOH(aq) g H2O(l) + NaCl(aq)

Acid – Base Buffers BUFFER:

A substance that helps to reduce major pH level fluctuations

• Natural buffers in our body are able to maintain optimal pH levels by

If our blood becomes too acidic:

This works to raise pH in two ways:

You might also like