BIOCHEMISTRY (MC2) jericho S.

FIRST SEMESTER: Prelims/Reviewer​ ​ 2025

○​ Underpins fermentation clarifies

microbial processes used in food
Introduction to Biochemistry
preservation and production of
fermented products.
★​ What is Biochemistry? ○​ Advances Medicine that is essential
○​ Study of the chemical processes and for developing therapies, drugs, and
diagnostic methods in healthcare.
substances that occur within living
○​ Aids in Diseases Study - Clinical
organisms. Study of structure, biochemistry helps diagnose, manage,
organization and functioning of living and treat diseases through analysis of
body fluids.
matter in molecular terms. Aka “The
○​ Explores Cell Signaling explains how
Chemistry of life or Study of Life” cells communicate, regulate growth,
○​ Combines biology and chemistry to division, and other key functions.

understand how cells and body ○​ Support Genetics provides insight

into DNA, gene functions, heredity,and
systems function at the molecular
genetic disorders.
level. ○​ Helps Forensic Science enables
○​ It looks at how molecules like proteins, analysis of biological evidence in
crime investigations.​
carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic
acids interact and work inside the ★​ Biochemists
cells. ○​ Study the chemical processes of life.
They investigate how molecules inside
○​ Biology - study of the structure,
living things work and interact with
organization and interactions of cells, their environment. Their work is
tissues, and organisms. important in medicine, agriculture,
and biotechnology, leading to
○​ Chemistry - “sots,o,” and interactions
discoveries like drugs, vaccines, and
of atoms and molecules.​ diagnostic tools.​

★​ Main Duties and Responsibilities

★​ Biochemistry is essential because:
○​ Research & Experiments - Study
○​ Explain life - studies the tiny chemical
chemical processes using lab
processes in our bodies and in all
techniques
living things.
○​ Data Analysis - Examine results, use
○​ Nutrition helps us understand how
statistics, and report findings.
food and nutrients keep us healthy.
○​ Product Development - Help create
○​ Metabolism explains how our body
or improve drugs, vaccines, and
turns food into energy for breathing,
medical tools.
moving, and growing.
○​ Quality Control - Ensure products are
○​ Photosynthesis shows how plants
safe, and follow standards
make food and oxygen, which all life
depends on.

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 ○​ Teaching & Monitoring - Guide ★​ Structural Organization of Life
students, assistants, and junior ○​ Atoms – The smallest units of matter
scientists. (e.g., carbon, hydrogen, oxygen).
○​ Collaboration - Work with experts ○​ Molecules – Groups of atoms bonded
from other fields and communicate together (e.g., water, glucose, DNA).
results. ○​ Organelles – specialized structures
○​ Grant Writing - Apply for funding to inside cells that perform specific tasks
support research projects. (e.g., mitochondria, nucleus).
○​ Continuing Education - Stay updated ○​ Cells – The basic unit of life.
on new scientific knowledge and Eukaryotic cells have organelles
advances. enclosed in membranes.
○​ Tissues – Groups of similar cells
★​ Types of Biochemists working together (e.g., muscle tissue).
○​ Enzymologists - Study enzymes and ○​ Organs – Made up of different tissues
their reactions. working together (e.g., heart, lungs).
○​ Structural Biochemists - Explore 3D ○​ Organ systems – Groups of organs
structures of proteins and DNA. that perform major functions (e.g.,
○​ Molecular Biologists - Focus on DNA, digestive system).
RNA, and protein synthesis. ○​ Organism – A complete living being
○​ Metabolic Biochemists - Study how (e.g., a human or plant).
the body makes and breaks down
molecules.
1.2 Molecular Compositions of Cells
○​ Clinical Biochemists - Diagnose
diseases by analyzing body fluids.
○​ Plant Biochemists - Study plant ★​ Living cells are made of organic molecules (
growth, photosynthesis, and carbon-based) and inorganic molecules (like
interactions. water and minerals). The major classes of
○​ Neurobiochemists - Investigate brain organic molecules in cells are:
chemistry and nervous system ○​ 1. Carbohydrates
function. • Made of sugars (like glucose).
○​ Biophysical Biochemists - Use • Provide quick energy and structure.
physical tools, (X-rays, NMR, • Example: Starch in plants, glycogen in animals.
microscopy) to study molecules. • glucose for brain function
○​ Environmental Biochemists - Study ○​ 2. Proteins
pollution, climate change, and • Made of amino acids.
ecosystems. • Involved in nearly every cell function – structure,
enzymes, signaling, transport.
• build tissues and enzymes
1.1 Structural Organization of Life
• Example: Hemoglobin (carries oxygen), enzymes
(speed up reactions).
★​ Biological systems are organized in a ○​ 3. Lipids
hierarchical structure, this means life is built • Made of fatty acids and glycerol.
from simple units into more complex systems. • Store energy, build cell membranes, and
★​ In biochemistry, we mostly study from act as signaling molecules.
molecules to cells, focusing on the chemical • Example : Phospholipids in cell membranes,
reactions that sustain life. cholesterol.
★​ The body is organized from cells → tissues → ○​ 4. Nucleic Acids
organs → systems. Each cell is the basic unit • Made of nucleotides (sugar + phosphate + nitrogen
of life, and proper cell function keeps the base). Two types: DNA and RNA
whole body healthy. • Store and transmit genetic
 ○​ 5. Water ○​ 2. Cytoskeleton
• Makes up about 70% of the cell. • A network of protein fibers.
• Acts as a solvent where most chemical reactions • Maintains cell shape and helps in movement.
happen. ○​ 3. Nucleus
○​ 6. Ions and Minerals • Control center of the cell.
• Include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and • Contains DNA, the genetic material.
iron. • Directs cell activities like growth and reproduction.
• Help in nerve function, muscle contraction, and ○​ 4. Mitochondria
enzyme activity. • Known as the "powerhouse" of the cell.
• Produces energy in the form of ATP (adenosine
triphosphate) through cellular respiration.
1.3 Functions of Major Features in
○​ 5. Endoplasmic Reticulum
Eukaryotic Cells
• A network of membranes.
• Rough ER has ribosomes and helps make proteins.
★​ A eukaryotic cell contains membrane- bound • Smooth ER helps make lipids and detoxifies harmful
organelles such as a nucleus, mitochondria, substances.
and an endoplasmic reticulum. ○​ 6. Ribosomes
★​ Organisms based on the eukaryotic cell • Tiny structures found floating in cytoplasm or
include humans, plants, and animals. attached to rough ER.
★​ These organisms are grouped into the • Make proteins from amino acids (protein synthesis).
biological domain Eukaryota. ○​ 7. Golgi Apparatus
★​ Eukaryotic cells are larger and more complex • Modifies, packages, and ships proteins and lipids.
than prokaryotic cells found in domains • Acts like a post office of the cell.
Archaea and Bacteria. ○​ 8. Lysosomes
• Contains digestive enzymes.
★​ Key Characteristics of Eukaryotic Cells • Break down waste, damaged cell parts, and foreign
○​ Nucleus – DNA i s stored inside a substances.
membrane-bound nucleus.
○​ Mitochondria – “Powerhouse” of the
1.4 pH and Buffers
cell, producing energy.
○​ Locomotion – Provides shape,
support, and helps movement inside ★​ pH tells us how acidic or basic something is.
the cell. ★​ Scale goes from 0 to 14:
○​ Cytoskeleton – The basic unit of life. ○​ 0–6 → Acidic (like lemon juice,
Eukaryotic cells have organelles vinegar)
enclosed in membranes. ○​ 7 → Neutral (like pure water)
○​ DNA – found as linear DNA inside the ○​ 8–14 → Basic/alkaline (like soap)
○​ nucleus, carrying genetic information. ★​ Our blood pH must stay around 7.35-7.45
○​ Too low (acidic) - acidosis
★​ Eukaryotic Cells are big, organized cells with a ○​ Too High (basic) - alkalosis
nucleus. They have special parts(organelles)
that do different jobs, like making energy, ★​ Buffers are pH stabilizers, they prevent
storing DNA, and helping the cell move or sudden pH changes by soaking up extra acid
divide. These cells make up all complex living or base.
things, including humans, plants, and animals. ★​ Bicarbonate Buffer (Main in Blood)
• Works with carbon dioxide (CO2 ).
★​ Parts of Eukaryotic Cells: • Keeps blood pH steady at ~7.4.
○​ 1. Cytoplasm • Example: if blood is too acidic → bicarbonate absorbs
• Jelly-like fluid inside the cell. acid.
• Holds organelles in place. ★​ Phosphate Buffer
• Site of many chemical reactions. • Found inside cells and kidneys.
• Controls pH in cell fluids. • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) – synthesizes proteins
★​ Protein Buffers and lipids.
• Proteins, like hemoglobin in red blood cells, can grab • In the liver, the smooth ER plays a big role in
or release H+ ions. detoxifying drugs and chemicals. When patients take
• Example: Hemoglobin helps balance pH while medications for a long time (for example,
carrying oxygen. anti-tuberculosis drugs, or chemotherapy), the liver’s
ER works extra hard to break these drugs down. If the
• Why it's important for nurses: liver gets overloaded or injured, harmful drug levels
Biochemistry gives nurses the foundation to can build up in the blood. That’s why nurses check
understand how the body works at the cellular level. liver function tests (LFTs) to see if the liver is coping
• Knowing the structural organization, molecular well. Monitoring LFTs helps prevent serious
composition, and functions of eukaryotic cell features complications like liver damage or drug toxicity.​
helps nurses connect what they see in patients to the
processes happening inside the body. • Ribosomes – protein factories.
• Some antibiotics, like tetracycline or
• Structural Organization erythromycin, work by attaching to bacterial
• Nerve cells, or neurons, send signals very ribosomes and stopping them from making proteins.
quickly using an outer covering called the myelin This kills or slows down the bacteria without harming
sheath. It helps the signal move fast and smoothly. In the patient , because bacterial ribosomes are different
multiple sclerosis (MS), the immune system destroys from human ribosomes. Nurses need to understand
this myelin covering, so the signals slow down or get this because it explains why antibiotics can target
blocked. Because of this, patients may feel weak, infections without damaging human cells.
numb, or have slow reflexes, since the brain’s
messages cannot reach the muscles properly. • pH and Buffers
• If nurses understand how nerve signals work, • Maintaining Patient Safety
they can explain to MS patients that their weakness • The body works only in a narrow pH
and slow reflexes are due to damaged myelin, which range (7.35–7.45 in blood).
acts like insulation on nerves. • If pH goes too low (acidosis) or too
high (alkalosis), organs can fail.
• Molecular Composition • Nurses must watch for
• In diabetes, the body cannot properly use or symptoms(confusion, irregular heartbeat,
produce enough insulin, the hormone that helps breathing changes). Nurses explain why
glucose (sugar) enter cells for energy. When glucose hydration, proper diet, and medications help
stays too long in the blood, it becomes harmful and keep the body’s pH stable.
can slowly damage tissues such as the eyes, kidneys,
nerves, and blood vessels. Too much sugar in the Summary
blood acts like “slow poison” to the body’s tissues. 1. Biochemistry connects chemistry and biology to
• This is why nurses emphasize blood sugar understand life at the molecular level.
control keeping glucose at safe levels helps protect 2. The structural organization of life ranges from
these organs and prevents long-term complications atoms to whole organisms.
like blindness, kidney failure, or poor wound healing. 3. The four major types of biomolecules are
carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
• Functions of Eukaryotic Cell 4. Water and ions are also essential for cell function.
• Nucleus – stores DNA, controls cell activities. 5. Eukaryotic cells contain organelles that carry out
• In cancer, mutations in DNA cause specific and important roles for the survival and
uncontrolled cell growth. Nurses explain why function of the cell.
chemotherapy targets dividing cells. 6. pH = acid or base level while Buffers keep pH stable. ​
​ Nurses play a key role in detecting, correcting, and
• Mitochondria – produce ATP (energy). preventing dangerous pH changes in patients.
• Patients with heart failure feel fatigued
because their cells cannot make enough ATP.