[LAB] BIOCHEMISTRY (1st Week)

Contents: Introduction to Biomolecules, Effects of Buffer on Biomolecules, Application of Buffer in Nursing Arts and
Practices, Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation.

I. Introduction to Biomolecules Biological Importance of Carbohydrates

- A molecule that can be found on all living 1. Act as storage molecules. (starch in
organisms that’s involved in the plants, glycogen in animals)
maintenance, metabolic process, and 2. D-Ribose and 2-Deoxy-D-Ribose are the
contains carbon molecules. constituents of RNA and DNA,
respectively.
Classification of Biomolecules 3. Some carbohydrates are linked to many
proteins and lipids.
ORGANIC: Carbs, proteins, fats. (Less complicated
name) Other Biomolecules
INORGANIC: Salts, water, oxygen. (Complicated - Proteins = Stores energy.
name) - Lipids = Stores energy.
- Nucleic Acids = Contains DNA.
1. Most abundant organic molecule. - Enzymes = Catalyzes reactions.
2. Serve as a structural component of cell - Vitamins = Feeds immune
membrane. system.
3. Main source and storage of energy.
(Fuels the brain, heart, and central II. Buffer Solutions for Biochemical
nervous system) Reaction
- Buffers consist of a weak acid (HA) and
ADDITIONAL INFO: Doctor - Balanced diet. Gym
its conjugate base (A-) or a weak base
Instructor - Keto (more protein, less carbs) diet.
and its conjugate acid.

Monosaccharides = One Unit

A buffer solution is a solution that
Oligosaccharides = 2 to 10 Units
maintains pH level of a system and resist
Polysaccharides = >10 Units
changes in ion concentration.

MONOSACCHARIDES [𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒]

𝑝𝐻 = 𝑝𝐾𝑎 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 [𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]

# of Generic Aldose Ketose

Carbo Name Family Family Key Points:
n
1. Buffers resist changes in pH.
Atoms
2. Buffers are made up of a weak acid and
3 Triose Aldotriose Ketotriose its conjugate base; or a weak base and its
(Glyceraldeh (Dihydroxya conjugate acid.
yde) cetone) 3. The weak acid consumes any hydroxide
ion base consumes any hydronium ion
4 Tetrose Aldotetrose Ketotetrose [H+] added to the solution.
(Erythrose) (Erythrulose
)
Notes:
5 Pentos Aldopentose Ketopentose 1. pH of blood = 7.35 - 7.45
e (Ribose) (Ribulose) 2. pH less than 7.35 = Acidemia
3. pH more than 7.35 = Alkalemia
6 Hexose Aldohexose Ketohexose
(Glucose) (Fructose)
 How Buffers Work?
Carbonic acid and bicarbonate ions help to
HA Weak Acid maintain the pH of the blood that is between 7.35
and 7.45 to remain in homeostasis.
A- Conjugate Base
Any deviations (0.1 degree) from this range may
H+ Strong Acid
lead to acidosis or alkalosis which can affect
OH- Strong Base enzyme function, reactivity and breakdown of
molecules that ultimately may lead to shock or
death.
(P.S: In my own words)
ACIDOSIS - Too much acid in the body fluids.
Buffer can resist changes by adding a strong acid ● Causes: Occurs when acid builds up or
/ H+ or strong base / OH- when bicarbonate (base) is lost.

If H+ is added to HA and A-, the H+ will attack the ALKALOSIS - Too much base (alkali) in the body
A-, matitira ang weak acid, the pH will retain. fluids.
● Causes: Decreased carbon dioxide (an
If OH- is added to HA and A-, the OH- will attack acid) level or increased bicarbonate (a
the HA, matitira ang A-, the pH will retain. base) level.

Kapag nag-add ng strong acid, matitira si weak Kidneys help the body’s buffering system by
base. Kapag nag-add ng strong base, matitira si regulating the bicarbonate level in extracellular
conjugate base. fluids by reabsorbing them in renal cells.

Buffer can resist a pH but has a limit, dapat In case of acidosis, the kidney will excrete H+ ions
tamang amount lang. through urine to restore homeostasis. (In the case
of alkalosis, on the other hand, the kidneys will
Additional Info excrete bicarbonate ions).
Kidney and lungs maintains balance of proper pH
levels of chemicals in our body. The lungs control the Oxygen (O2) and Carbon
Dioxide (CO2) content of extracellular fluid. CO2
ACIDOSIS - Respiratory or metabolic. exists in the bloodstream as carbonic acid and
bicarbonate ions that can react with excess H+
Kidney contains metabolic acidosis develops ions and contribute to the buffer system.
when too much body is produced in the body.
Application of Buffers to Medicine
High uric acid occurs in the body when uric acid Many biochemicals, including medicines, are
cannot be removed from the body anymore. unstable at certain temperatures and pH levels.
Buffers are therefore added to medicines to
Lungs contain respiratory, too much carbon
prevent them degrading before they’re
dioxide in the body.
absorbed into the bloodstream.
III. Application of Buffers in Nursing
Characteristics of a Good Buffer
Arts & Practices
1. Dissociation Constant - The ideal pKa
Buffer in Biological System
(acidic strength) range is between 6 and
Buffer System of the Body 8. Most experiments involving
1. Chemical Buffering Systems (bicarbonate, biochemical reactions require this range
phosphate, protein, buffer) to achieve optimal results.
2. Kidney 2. Solubility - As most acids and many
3. Lungs bases are soluble in water, a buffer should
 also be water-soluble. This is especially 4. Ammonia and its Conjugate Acid
important for systems that require - Ammonia (NH3) and its conjugate
biological buffers for biochemical acid (NH4+) are commonly used
reactions. to calibrate pH meters and
3. Biological Membranes - Some biological maintain the stability of various
experiments, for example medicine dosage forms.
absorption by target tissues, require the 5. Methylamine and its Conjugate Acid
exclusion of biological membranes. In - Methylamine (CN3NH2) and its
other words, the buffer must not be able conjugate acid (CH3NH3+) is an
to pass through certain tissue or cellular amine that can maintain the pH
barriers. balance of some organic
4. Minimal Ion Interactions - Ideally, buffers reagents.
should not interfere with other ions in a
system. If they do interact, the reaction IV. Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation
should be negligible and reversible.
- Expressed the relationship between pH,
Zwitterionic buffers are a good example
pK, concentration of weak acid and
of this. Also known as Good’s buffers,
conjugate base (or salt).
they have positive and negative charges
on different constituent atoms of the
Henderson-Hasselbalch Formula:
same molecule.
[𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒]
5. Change Resistance - A good buffer must 𝑝𝐻 = 𝑝𝐾𝑎 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 [𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]
be able to resist pH changes when
exposed to fluctuations in concentration
Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation Derivation
(dilution vs. saturation), temperature, and
chemical reactions. 1. Dissociation of a weak acid yields a
6. Chemical Stability - A buffer must not conjugate acid-base pair.
react with the system in which it’s being
used. Otherwise, it would not serve its
intended purpose.
7. UV Absorption - An ideal buffer should
not absorb UV rays at wavelengths that
may be used for photometric readings.

Common Buffers

1. Acetic Acid and its Conjugate Base

- Acetic acid (CH3COOH) and its 2. By definition, the dissociation constant
conjugate base (CH3COO-) are (K) of the acid is,
mainly used in biochemical
studies of enzymes.
2. Formic Acid and its Conjugate Base
- Formic acid (HCHO2) and its
conjugate base (CHO2-) have
antibacterial properties that
hinder the growth of
microorganisms.
3. Pyridine and its Conjugate Acid
- Pyridine (C3H3N) and its
conjugate acid (C5H5H4) play a
role in the industrial synthesis of
fungicides, herbicides, and
antiseptics.
3. The equation can be written as:

4. By taking the logarithm of both sides,

and multiplying by -1.

5. Substituting pH for -log H and pK for -log

K.

Application:

1. Can be used to calculate change in pH of

a buffer in addition to a known quantity of
acid and alkali.
2. To find concentrations of acid and base
by measuring pH.