Biochem 1
Biochem 1
Biochem 1
A. DEFINITION OF
BIOCHEMISTRY
A vast branch of science that combines both Biology and Chemistry.
Biology is the study of living organisms, divided into many specialized
fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, origin,
and distribution.
Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the identification of the
substances of which matter is composed; the investigation of their
properties and the ways in which they interact, combine, and change; and
the use of these processes to form new substances/ the chemical
composition and properties of a substance or body:
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Definitions
the study of chemical processes in the living organisms.
the study of molecular basis of life.
teaches how the biological molecules like carbohydrates, proteins,
lipids, nucleic acids gives rise to different chemical processes in the
living cell which in turn gives rise to the complexity of life.
was first proposed by a German scientist, Carl Neuberg, in 1903.
· a study focussing on the life processes of living organisms at both
biological and chemical levels.
Biochemistry also deals with the function and structure of
biomolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, etc.
The branch focuses on investigating the chemical reactions
involved in different life processes like metabolism, reproduction,
heredity, growth.
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B. NATURE AND SCOPE OF
BIOCHEMISTRY
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SIGNIFICANCE OF 1. Biochemistry is the study of 2. A thorough understanding of the
BIOCHEMISTRY chemical processes in the living biochemical processes taking place in
cell, it is very essential that a nurse the body will help the nurse to have a
TO NURSING being a medical professional, patient-centered approach in the
PROFESSION study and understand treatment.
biochemistry in order to care for
their patients.
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SIGNIFICANCE OF HOMEOSTASIS:- –The ability or 5. The various biochemical tests like
BIOCHEMISTRY tendency of a living organism, cell, or blood test, kidney function test, liver
group to keep the conditions inside it function test, lipid profile, will help the
TO NURSING the same despite any changes in the nurse to diagnose diseases and the
PROFESSION conditions around it, or this state of test results will help in assessing the
internal balance. needs of the patient to provide an
effective care.
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THE
BRANCHES OF
BIOCHEMISTRY
Due to the continuous progress in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, the branches of biochemistry are growing diversely and
vastly. The significant branches include:
1. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
This scientific discipline attempts to study and analyze the processes
in living organisms from a molecular level.
The branch is often considered as the ‘root of biochemistry’.
The branch aims to study and investigate in detail the biochemical,
metabolic cycles in living beings, the integration-disintegration of
molecules, thereby understanding the functions of the living systems.
The field focuses on analyzing the behavior, interactions of biological
macromolecules like DNA, RNA, Proteins, enzymes, hormones, etc.,
and their synthesis within the cells, thereby explaining the biological
living functions of organisms at the molecular level.
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2. CELL BIOLOGY
The branch deals with the structure and functions of cells in living
organisms. The cell biology branch of biochemistry is also called
Cytology.
An area that focuses on studying the morphology and psychology of
eukaryotes and prokaryotes at the cellular level.
The study reveals the properties, functions, structure, biochemical
composition, the lifecycle of cells in organisms.
Cell biology is essential to understand the intrinsic cellular processes
that cells carry out during their life cycle, like respiration, nutrition, cell
division, synthesis of compounds, defense mechanisms, cell death, etc.
The branch is closely associated with fields like physiology, histology,
and microbiology.
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3. GENETICS
Genetics, an important branch of biochemistry focuses on
the study of genes, their mutations/variations, and the
characteristics of heredity in living organisms.
Here, the structure, function, variation, and distribution of
genes are studied within the context of the cell, the
organism, and the population.
Genetics is a broad field, having several subfields like
molecular genetics, population genetics, and epigenetics.
Molecular genetics and genetic engineering are fields under
biochemistry and molecular biology that study genes,
heritage, and expressions.
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4. METABOLISM
Metabolism is one of the most essential and fundamental
processes taking place in living beings. It refers to the series
of activities that happen in the body when food gets
converted into energy.
The process involves many interconnected cellular
pathways to provide cells with the required energy to carry
out their functions.
Metabolism can be the array of biochemical processes that
take place in living beings. It includes both anabolisms or
builds up of substances and catabolism or breakdown of
substances.
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NON LIVING
COMPONENTS
1. ATOMS 3. BIOMOLECULES
smallest unit of any 2. MOLECULES there are specific
substance in the entire molecules which are
world. Atom is made of it’s a group of required for living
neutrons, protons, and atoms which are organisms called
electrons. biomolecules.
attracted together
The number of electrons These help in different
and protons in an atom to bind together in metabolic activities
decides what kind it is strong or weak happening in a living body.
starting with Hydrogen in Biomolecules are naturally
bonds.
the periodic table which found in the environment or
has only 1 electron and 1 are synthesized in the body.
proton
LIVING COMPONENTS
1. Organelle:
these are a specific section in the where biomolecules are used or synthesized. Several biochemical
reactions happen in this particular space. Each organelle has its own lipid layered membranes to enclose
all the reaction in them.
2. Cell:
cells are the basic unit of life in which each has its own set of organelles in it. All the organelles have their
own function and collaborate with each other taking care of the requirements of the cells.
3. Tissue:
Cluster of the same group of cells functioning at its own. Cell to cell interaction can be seen in a tissue.
4. Organ:
Group of tissue which cluster up to become functional and work with specific goal.
5. Organ systems:
the organs connect together to work for a specific goal creating an organ system.
LIVING COMPONENTS
6. Organism:
it’s an independent living system which comprises at least one cell or more.
7. Population:
it’s a cluster of organisms of the same species associated together.
8. Biocoenosis or Community:
2 or more species assemble in a particular geographical area interacting each other.
9. Ecosystem:
According to a particular environment, a group of organisms collaborate and survive as an ecosystem. This
depends on the nonliving environment surrounding the organism.
10. Biome:
it’s a community of ecosystem which survives in common environment. There are 2 major subdivisions for
a biome. They are Terrestrial and Marine. But again there are a number of subdivisions for these 2 which
include types like Tropical, Tundra, desert, Pelecypod, Coral etc.
11. Biosphere:
biosphere is the collection of all ecosystem. Earth is one biosphere where you can find all the living
ecosystem that we know exist.
LEVELS OF
BIOLOGICAL
ORGANIZATION
References: