Chapter 1 - Chapter 1 Properties of living systems o o o...

Chapter 1
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Properties of living systems:
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are complicated and highly organized
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biological structures serve functional purposes
o
living systems are actively engaged in energy transformations (esp. via
biomolecules)
o
can self-replicate
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not at equilibrium
o
in a steady state by virtue of energy flow
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Biomolecules are mainly composed of H, O, C, and N because
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they form the strongest covalent bonds
o
Carbon
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all biomolecules contain carbon
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can form covalent bonds with itself
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has tetrahedral structure
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Metabolites  Building Blocks  Macromolecules  Supramolecular
Complexes (structure maintained by non-covalent forces)  Organelles
o
organelles only in eukaryotic cells (know general functions)
o
membranes are supramolecular assemblies that form b/c of
hydrophobic interactions
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Biomolecular Properties
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Structural Polarity
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Informational
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Weak forces maintain biological structure and determine biomolecular
interactions

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