Introduction to Biochemistry, Page 3

Chemical Composition of Cell

Cytoplasm and Cytoskeleton

•Cytoplasm is highly viscous solution where many reactions take place

•Cytoskeleton consists of microtubules, actin filaments, and intermediate filaments

–cell shape

–transport paths

–movement

Living Systems Extract Energy

•From sunlight

–plants

–green bacteria

–cyanobacteria

•From fuels

–animals

–most bacteria

• Energy input is needed in order to 

maintain complex

structures and be in a dynamic steady 

state, away from the equilibrium

Energy and Carbon Sources

•All organisms require energy and carbon for life

•We can also classify based in the sources of energy and

carbon

Today’s topics

•Elementals of life

•Biological molecules

•Thermodynamics

•Biochemical Reactions

•Chemical and Molecular Evolution

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