INTRODUCTION
TO
BIOCHEMISTRY
Objectives
Know what biochemistry is and its principle.
Know the components of a cell and its major types
of bio-molecules.
Understand how the role of cell organisation and
different types of chemical reactions involved in
maintaining high degree of internal order.
An Introduction to Biochemistry:
let’s keep it simple (and fun)
Biochemistry is the application of chemistry to the
study of biological processes at the cellular and
molecular level.
Principle Areas of Biochemistry
Structure and function of biological
macromolecules
Metabolism – anabolic and catabolic
processes.
Molecular Genetics – How life is
replicated. Regulation of protein synthesis
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN
BIOCHEMISTRY AND
MEDICINE
How much biochemistry do you
need to know for this course?
1. You are Carbohydrates
expected to learn Lipids
the structure and Proteins
functions of Nucleic Acids
these organic
compounds:
2. You will be expected to learn
the basic biochemical processes
of major cell functions, such as
respiration, protein synthesis and
so on.
BIOCHEMICAL BASIS OF HEALTH AND
DISEASE
Health = Normal Biochemical processes
Thousands of intra and extra cellular
reactions occur in the body commensurate
with the body’s maximal survival
Disease = Abnormal Biochemical process
Abnormalities of molecules, chemical
reactions or Biochemical processes
“Nothing can be taught,
everything can be learnt.”
Chinese proverb
Organization of Life
elements
simple organic compounds
(monomers)
macromolecules
(polymers)
supramolecular structures
organelles
cells
tissues
organisms
Elements in the Human
Body
Four major elements make up 96% of the
mass of a human body.
Oxygen,
Carbon,
Hydrogen, and
Nitrogen.
Atomic Structure
Elements are made of atoms.
An atom is the smallest whole particle of
an element.
Atoms have 3 major sub-particles and
some of these sub-particles have charges:
Protons—positive charge
Electrons—negative charge
Neutrons—no charge
Molecules
Molecules are formed when two or more atoms are
joined together by covalent bonds.
These atoms can come from the same or different
elements.
Examples:
O+O O2
C+H+H+H+H CH4
atom + atom molecule
Chemical Bonds
• form due to the force of attraction between the atoms.
• The stronger the force of attraction, the stronger the
bond.
• Chemical bonds are analogous to glue.
• Bonds vary in strength from very weak to very
strong, just as different glues have varying
holding strengths—consider a glue stick
compared to super glue.
Chemical Reactions
Chemical reactions occur when:
Atoms, molecules, or ions interact
Existing chemical bonds are broken
New chemical bonds are formed
Review Question
Which elements do all biomolecules
have in common?
Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen
What do elements have to do
with cells?
Elements combine to form compounds.
◦ The basic unit is the molecule.
Molecular Organisation of a cell
21
So…
The basic unit of matter is an ATOM, but the
basic unit of life is the CELL.
The Compounds of Life
Living things are made of organic &
inorganic compounds.
Organic:
Proteins
All contain CARBON …
Carbohydrates Living things are carbon-
Lipids (fats) based
Nucleic acids
Inorganic: - usually do NOT contain carbon
Water – H2O
Salt - NaCl
BIOMOLECULES
INORGANIC ORGANIC
CARBOHTD
These are very large molecules RATES
of many ATOMS covalently LIPIDS
bonded PROTEINS
ENERGY is stored in the NUCLIC
COVALENT BONDS. ACIDS
When we eat ,we get ENERGY ENZYMES
to lives because chemical VITAMINS
reactions within our bodies
break these bonds
Biomolecul
es are
compounds
of carbon
with a
variety of
functional
groups
Discuss with your partner
Biomolecules are molecules that
are synthesized by living cells.
Why are biomolecules important?
These molecules control almost
every aspect of life processes.
Biomolecules – Structure
Anabolic
Building block Macromolecule
Simple sugar Polysaccharide
Amino acid Protein (peptide)
Nucleotide RNA or DNA
Fatty acid Lipid
Catabolic
27
Building Polymers
Every time a monomer is added to a chain, a
WATER molecule is release
This is called a DEHYDRATION reaction
Breaking Polymers
We also have to break down long chains in order
to make the monomers available to the cells by
adding water to break the bonds
This is called a HYDROLYSIS reaction
The synthesis of a
polymer
The Breakdown of a
polymer
REMEMBER:
ALL the chemical reactions
that happen in cells =
_____________
METABOLISM
Chemical reactions canjoin
_____
molecules together.
break
Chemical reactions can ______
molecules apart.
Dr. Hanan J.
Composition of human
body
6% 2%
14%
water (61%)
Protein (17%)
Fats(13.8)
Minerals(6.1%)
17% 61% Carbohydrates(1.5)
Life’s Large Molecules
1. Carbohydrates
2. Lipids
3. Proteins
4. Nucleic acids
Organic Compounds (carbon based
molecules) Building Blocks Example Function
Macromolecules
(polymers) (monomer
subunits)
Carbohydrates Monosaccharides
(polysaccharide
s)
Organic Compounds (carbon based
molecules) Building Blocks Example Function
Macromolecules
(polymers) (monomer
subunits)
Carbohydrates Monosaccharides starch (a polysaccharide)
(polysaccharide Main energy storage in
s) plants
glycogen (a
polysaccharide) Main
energy storage in animals
Glucose (a
monosaccharide)
Energy source for all
organisms’ cells
Organic Compounds (carbon based
molecules) Building Blocks Example Function
Macromolecules
(polymers) (monomer
subunits)
Lipids Glycerol and
Fatty acids*
Organic Compounds (carbon based
molecules) Building Blocks Example Function
Macromolecules
(polymers) (monomer
subunits)
Lipids Glycerol and *Oil Long term energy
Fatty acids* storage in plants
*Fat Long term energy
storage in animals
Organic Compounds (carbon based
molecules) Building Blocks Example Function
Macromolecules
(polymers) (monomer
subunits)
Lipids Glycerol and *Oil Long term energy
Fatty acids* storage in plants
*Fat Long term energy
storage in animals
phospholipids provides
a barrier between cell &
outside world
cholesterol stabilizes
cell membrane
Organic Compounds (carbon based
molecules) Building Blocks Example Function
Macromolecules
(polymers) (monomer
subunits)
Protein Amino acids
(is made of one or * Amino acids
more polypeptide linked together
chains*) by covalent
bonds form
polypeptide
chain)
Organic Compounds (carbon based
molecules) Building Blocks Example Function
Macromolecules
(polymers) (monomer
subunits)
Protein Amino acids Structural proteins
(is made of one or * Amino acids provides physical
more polypeptide linked together structure to cell (ex:
chains*) by covalent
bonds form cytoskeleton)
polypeptide enzymes catalyzes
chain)
(promotes) chemical
reactions in cells
antibodies defend
against infection
Organic Compounds (carbon based
molecules) Building Blocks Example Function
Macromolecules
(polymers) (monomer
subunits)
Nucleic Nucleotides
Acids
Organic Compounds (carbon based
molecules) Building Blocks Example Function
Macromolecules
(polymers) (monomer
subunits)
Nucleic Nucleotides DNA (nucleic acid)
Acids stores hereditary
information passed from
generation to generation
RNA (nucleic acid) helps
manufacture proteins
Organic Compounds (carbon based
molecules) Building Blocks Example Function
Macromolecules
(polymers) (monomer
subunits)
Nucleic Nucleotides DNA (nucleic acid)
Acids stores hereditary
information passed from
generation to generation
RNA (nucleic acid) helps
manufacture proteins
ATP (nucleotide) In all
cells, ATP temporarily
STORES energy from
digested food. Cells then
use energy from ATP to
power metabolic cellular
Macromolecule
s
mono
mer
mono
mer
mono
mer
Review Q
Which macronutrients are primarily for energy?
a)Proteins and fats
b)Carbohydrates and proteins
c) Carbohydrates and fats
d)Fats and vitamins
Vitamins Classified Based on Solubility
Vitamins are
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
organic substances A, D, E, and K (stored in the body)
(made by plants or
animals) Water-Soluble Vitamins
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Supplied by foods Thiamin (vitamin B1)
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
Biotin
Pantothenic acid
Folate
Cobalamin (vitamin B12)
Minerals and
Trace Elements
Macrominerals Microminerals
(>100 mg/day) (<100 mg/day) Molybdenum
Calcium Iron Selenium
Phosphorous Iodine Fluoride
Sodium Copper Chromium
Potassium Manganese Silicon
Chloride Zinc
Magnesium Cobalt
Water
About 60-90 percent of
an organism is water
Water is used
in most
reactions in
the body
Water is called
the universal
solvent
50
Water
Functions
dissolves wastes
digests food
carries nutrients
temperature control
helps transport of materials in the body, and
involved in many chemical reactions.
Requirements
8 glasses per day
Biochemical Reactions
Metabolism: total sum of the chemical reaction
happening in a living organism (highly
coordinated and purposeful activity)
a. Anabolism- energy requiring biosynthetic pathways
b. Catabolism- degradation of fuel molecules and the
production of energy for cellular function
All reactions are catalyzed by enzymes
Frequent reaction encountered in biochemical processes
1. Nucleophilic Substitution
One atom of group substituted for another
2. Elimination Reactions
Double bond is formed when atoms in a molecule is removed
3. Addition Reactions:
Two molecules combine to form a single product.
A. Hydration Reactions (Water added)
4. Isomerization Reactions.
Involve intramolecular shift of atoms or groups
5. Oxidation-Reduction (redox) Reactions
Occur when there is a transfer of e- from a donor
to an electron acceptor
6. Hydrolysis reactions
Cleavage of double bond by water.
54
Energy for Cells
Living cells are inherently unstable.
Constant flow of energy prevents them
from becoming disorganized.
Cells obtains energy mainly by the
oxidation of bio-molecules (e-
transferred from 1 molecule to another
and in doing so they lose energy)
This energy captured by cells & used
to maintain highly organized cellular
structure and functions
Routine Biochemical
Investigations
Blood Glucose {Fasting, Post prandial and Random}
Non Protein Nitrogenous Substances -Blood Urea ,Uric
Acid, Creatinine.(KFT)
Serum and urinary Proteins-Total Proteins, Albumin
(LFT)
Lipids-Tri Acyl Glycerol, Cholesterol, Lipoproteins.
Enzymes-AST,ALT,GGT,ALP,ACP (LFT)
Bilirubin-Total ,Direct, Indirect (LFT)
Electrolytes- ( Na, K)
Minerals-( Ca, P)
Blood- pH.
Special Investigations
Glucose Tolerance Test
Vitamins
Hormones
Minerals(Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe, I)
Electrophoresis
Chromatography
Organ Function Tests
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Cardiac Profile (CFT)
Renal Function Tests/Kidney Function
Tests (KFTs)
Thyroid Function Tests (TFTs)
Thank You