Lecture 15: The Chemistry of Life

What is the basic chemistry of living organisms? We introduce the requirements for metabolism (raw materials and energy), the ATP/ADP energy cycle in cells, auto- and heterotrophs, photosynthesis and chemosynthesis, and the role played by liquid water. The goal of today's lecture is to seek insights into the basic requirements for life from a consideration of the needs of the cells' chemistry. Recorded live on 2009 Oct 14 in Room 1005 Smith Laboratory on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University.