1. Topic 2: Molecular Biology
2.1 Molecules to metabolism

2. Learning objectives
U: Molecular biology explains living processes in terms of the chemical substances involved.
U: Carbon atoms can form four covalent bonds allowing a diversity of stable compounds to exist.
U: Life is based on carbon compounds including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.
U: Metabolism is the web of all the enzyme-catalysed reactions in a cell or organism.
U: Anabolism is the synthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules including the formation of macromolecules from monomers by condensation reactions.
U: Catabolism is the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler molecules including the hydrolysis of macromolecules into monomers. 
A: Urea as an example of a compound that is produced by living organisms but can also be artificially synthesized.
A: (Skill) Drawing molecular diagrams of glucose, ribose, a saturated fatty acid and a generalized amino acid.
A: (Skill) Identification of biochemicals such as sugars, lipids or amino acids from molecular diagrams.

3. How much do you remember?
What is the difference between an atom and a molecule?
What is a covalent bond?
What is the difference between an element and compound?

4. Metabolism
The sum of all enzyme-catalysed reactions in a cell or organism.
A metabolic pathway is either a chain of events, each catalysed by an enzyme, or a cycle of reaction.

5. Anabolic vs. Catabolic
Synthesis of complex molecules from simpler ones
Monomers  macromolecules
(amino acids  protein)
Condensation reactions where water is produced
Example: ?
Breakdown of complex molecules to simpler ones
Macromolecules  monomers
(protein  amino acid)
Hydrolysis reactions where water is consumed
Example: ?

6. What does ‘organic’ mean?
In Biology, organic means containing the element carbon
Exception: carbon dioxide (CO2)
Carbon is able to form 4 covalent bonds which allows it to form stable compounds.

7. Carbon containing compounds: building blocks of life
Lipids
Carbohydrates
Based on looking at these, what are the major elements that make up living things?
Protein
Nucleic acids

8. The most frequently occurring elements in living things are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen

9. Functional groups you need to know
Hydroxyl
Ester
Carboxylic acid
Amino
Carbonyl

10. Skill: Drawing molecular diagrams of alpha-D glucose and beta-D glucose

11. Skill: Drawing molecular diagram of D-ribose

12. Skill: Drawing molecular diagram of a saturated fatty acid

13. Skill: Drawing molecular diagram of a saturated fatty acid=
H3C – (CH2)n – C - OH

14. Skill: Drawing molecular diagram of an amino acid

15. Identify the following as: carbohydrates, lipids, or amino acids

16. Identify the following as: carbohydrates, lipids, or amino acids

17. Nature of Science What is the theory of vitalism?
Why did the successful synthesis of urea in the laboratory disprove the theory of vitalism?