LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After reading this chapter, you should:

• Understand the types of chemical bonds that hold atoms together in molecules.

• Understand the difference between polar and nonpolar molecules, and the important role that polarity plays in interactions of biological molecules.

• Understand the basic concepts of biochemical energetics, including the role of adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) in the transformation of energy into biochemical work.

• Understand the concepts of acids, bases, pH, and buffering.

• Know the major classes of biological polymers: proteins, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids.

• Understand the chemical structure of polysaccharides as polymers of monosaccharides, including the simple sugars glucose, galactose, and fructose.

• Understand the basic structure of nucleic acids as polymers of nucleotides and how that structure is different in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymers.

• Understand the basic structure of proteins, which are polymers of amino acids, and how the diversity of amino acid structure influences protein three-dimensional structure and function.

• Understand how the chemical structure of phospholipids contributes to the properties of biological membranes.

• Understand the basic features of biological membranes, which are lipid bilayers that are decorated with proteins and carbohydrates.

• Understand the mechanisms of diffusion and osmotic pressure generation.

Prelude

Biomedical engineers are engaged in a great diversity of activities: Chapter 1 described many of the fields in which biomedical engineers make significant contributions. This chapter, together with Chapters 3 and 4, reviews fundamental chemistry concepts that are important for understanding human physiology and biomedical engineering (BME).