2. Chemical Foundations

• Biomolecules Are Compounds of Carbon with a Variety of Functional Groups

• Cells Contain a Universal Set of Small Molecules

•  Macromolecules Are the Major Constituents of Cells

• BOX 1-1 Molecular Weight, Molecular Mass, and Their Correct Units

• Three-Dimensional Structure Is Described by Configuration and Conformation

• BOX 1-2 Louis Pasteur and Optical Activity: In Vino, Veritas

• Interactions between Biomolecules Are Stereospecific