Chemical foundation

1.67*10^(-24) g

O, C, H, N

cellular structures such as ribosomes, chromosomes, flagella, and cell walls are made up of ordered arrays of linear polymers proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides such as starch, glycogen, and cellulose, Lipids

• organic molecules: CO2, NH3, PO4 ions • monomers -> biological macromolecules • supramolecular structures • organellas • cell

proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides.

• Macromolecules are always synthesized by the stepwise polymerization of similar or identical small molecules called monomers. • The addition of each monomer occurs with the re-moval of a water molecule and is therefore termed a condensation reaction. • The monomeric units that are to be joined together must be present as activated monomers before condensa-tion can occur. • Activation usually involves coupling of the monomer to a carrier molecule, forming an activated monomer. • The energy needed to couple the monomer to the carrier molecule is provided by a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or a related high-energy compound. • Because of the way they are synthesized, macromolecules have an inherent directionality. This means that the two ends of the polymer chain are chemically differ-ent from each other.

breaking down of molecules

synthesis of macromolecules

bond angles bond lengths bond energies (strengths)

amount of energy that must be supplied to break that bond (kcal/mole)

the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of water by one degree C

hydrocarbons - stable C-H compounds do not form hydrogen bonds generally insoluble methane, methyl group

carboxyl and phosphate groups - negatively charged amino groups - positively charged hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, carbonyl, aldehyde - neutral but polar groups

electropositive H is partially shared by 2 electronegative atoms

the attraction between water-hating molecules (and surfaces) that draws them together, causing aggregation, phase separation, protein folding

cohesiveness temperature-stabilizing capacity (boiling point, specific heat, heat of vaporization) solvent