Organic Chemistry

919

Chapters 22 through 27 discuss the

chemistry of organic compounds found in

biological systems. Many of these com-

pounds are larger than the organic

compounds you have seen up to this

point, and they may have more than one

functional group, but the principles that

govern their structure and reactivity are

essentially the same as those that govern

the structure and reactivity of the com-

pounds you have been studying. These

chapters, therefore, will give you the op-

portunity to review much of the organic

chemistry you have learned as you apply

your knowledge of organic reactions to

compounds found in the biological world.

Chapter 22introduces you to the chemistry of carbohy-
drates, the most abundant class of compounds in the bio-
logical world. First you will learn about the structures
and reactions of monosaccharides. Then you will see how
they are linked to form disaccharides and polysaccha-
rides. A wide variety of carbohydrates found in nature
will be discussed.

Chapter 23starts by looking at the physical properties
of amino acids. Then you will see how amino acids are
linked to form peptides and proteins. You will also see
how proteins are made in the laboratory, and you will be
able to compare this with how they are made in nature
when you read Chapter 27. The structure of proteins will
be examined to prepare you for understanding how en-
zymes catalyze chemical reactions, which is covered in
Chapter 24.

Chapter 24first describes the various ways that organic
reactions are catalyzed and then shows how enzymes em-
ploy the same principles in their catalysis of reactions
that occur in biological systems.

Chapter 25describes the chemistry of the coenzymes—
organic compounds that some enzymes need to catalyze
biological reactions. Coenzymes play a variety of chemi-
cal roles: Some function as oxidizing and reducing agents,
some allow electrons to be delocalized, some activate
groups for further reaction, and some provide good nucle-
ophiles or strong bases needed for reactions. Because
coenzymes are derived from vitamins, you will see why

Bioorganic

Compounds

PART SEVEN

Chapter 22

Carbohydrates

Chapter 23

Amino Acids, Peptides,

and Proteins

Chapter 24

Catalysis

Chapter 25

The Organic Mechanisms

of the Coenzymes • Metabolism

Chapter 26

Lipids

Chapter 27

Nucleosides, Nucleotides,

and Nucleic Acids