1.A Introduction To Biochemistry and Life

INTRODUCTION TO
BIOCHEMISTRY
Biochemistry BSFI
ILO
At the end of this lesson, the students are expected to:
• Define and differentiate biochemistry from the other

branches of chemistry.
• Differentiate a prokaryotic cell from a eukaryotic cell in
terms of structural features and the organisms in which
these cells are found.
• Identify the organelles found in the cells
• Give the function of each cell organelle
OVERVIEW OF BIOCHEMISTRY
Biochemistry
• is the study of the chemistry of living
things.
• This includes organic molecules and
their chemical reactions.
• Most people consider biochemistry to be
synonymous with molecular biology.
• The branch of science dealing with the study of all the life
processes such as control and coordination within a living
organism is called Biochemistry.
BRANCHES OF BIOCHEMISTRY
1. Molecular Biology
• It is also referred to as the roots of

Biochemistry.
• It deals with the study of functions of
the living systems.
• This field of biology explains all the
interactions between DNA, proteins,
and RNA and their synthesis
2. Cell biology
• deals with the structure and

functions of cells in living organisms.
• It is also called Cytology.
• Cell biology primarily focuses on the
study of cells of the eukaryotic
organisms and their signalling
pathways, rather than focusing on
prokaryotes- the topics that will be
covered under microbiology.
3. Metabolism
• It is one of the most important

processes taking place in all living
things.
• It is nothing but the
transformations or the series
of activities that happens when
food is converted into energy in a
human body.
• One example of metabolism is the
process of digestion.
4. Genetics
• a branch of biochemistry that deals with the study of genes,
their variations and the heredity characteristics in living
organisms.
The other branches

5. Animal and Plant Biochemistry 11. Biotechnology
6. Molecular Chemistry 12. Genetic engineering
7. Endocrinology 13. Pharmaceuticals
8. Neurochemistry 14. Nutrition
9. Environmental 15. Photosynthesis
10. Toxicology
OVERVIEW OF BIOMOLECULES
The principal types of biological molecules or biomolecules

What is Biochemistry Used for?
→the biological processes

→the properties of biological molecules, for a variety of
purposes.
→finding a substitute for a usual biomolecule.
→help cells to produce new products.
Importance of Biochemistry
Biochemistry is essential to understand the following concepts:

• The chemical processes
• The catalytic functions of enzymes
• Utilizing the potential energy obtained from the oxidation of
foodstuff
• The properties and structure of substances
Tools to study biochemistry
• chemical structures and reactivity’s of molecules that participate

in cellular reactions
• biological function of cellular molecules
• how all of the pieces and different pathways fit together
Living systems appear complex but there is
an underlying simplicity and elegance
- Most biological compounds

are made of only SIX
elements: C, H, O, N, P, S
- Shown above are the
chemical elements that occur
naturally in plants and
animals
- All organisms have similar
biochemical pathways
- All organisms use the same
genetic code
- Limited number of molecular
building blocks make up
larger macromolecule
atoms and molecules
• The atom is the smallest

and most fundamental unit
of matter.
• It consists of a nucleus,
containing protons and
neutrons, surrounded by
electrons
A molecule, like this large DNA

biomolecule, is composed of atoms.
Biomolecules or macromolecules
4 MAJOR CLASSES OF BIOMOLECULES SERVE AS BUILDING BLOCKS FOR

LARGER MACROMOLECULES:
1. Carbohydrates: e.g. glucose, fructose, sucrose
- mainly used as sources of cellular energy
2. Lipids: commonly known as fats
- organic compounds that are not very water soluble
- used as sources of cellular energy
- components of cell membranes
3. Amino Acids:
- 20 natural amino acids in total
- Used as building blocks for proteins
4. Nucleotides:
- 5 in total
- Used as building blocks for DNA and RNA precursors
5. OTHER:
- Vitamins: organic compounds necessary for proper growth and
development
- Heme: Organometallic compound containing iron; important
for transporting oxygen in your blood stream.
Building blocks of Biomolecules or macromolecules
Example:
Starch and Cellulose: polymers of

glucose molecules that differ only by how
the glucose monomers are linked
Building blocks are used to create
macromolecules: polymer of
several, hundreds, to sometimes
millions of building blocks
Proteins/polypeptides: amino acid
monomers linked together
Levels of Biological Organization
A Cell is the smallest fundamental unit of structure in living organisms.
All living things are made of cells;
Cells have all of the properties of life

• they are composed of biomolecules
• the ability to metabolize
• maintain homeostasis
• respond to external stimuli
• grow and reproduce, and evolve
Some cells contain aggregates of biomolecules
surrounded by membranes; these are
called organelles
Organelles are small structures that exist

within cells and perform specialized functions
(ex- mitochondria make ATP, chloroplasts
make glucose by photosynthesis).
Tissue:
Group of cells of the same kind.
Organ:
Structure composed of one or more types of tissues.
The tissues of an organ work together to perfume a specific function. Human
organs include the brain, stomach, kidney, and liver.
Plant organs include roots, stems, and leaves.
Organ system:
Group of organs that work together to perform a certain function.
Examples of organ systems in a human include the skeletal, nervous, and
reproductive systems.
Organism:
Individual living thing that may be made up of one or more organ systems.
Organism
Two basic classes of organism

1. Prokaryotes
Prokaryotes are organisms whose cells lack a nucleus and other

organelles. Prokaryotes are divided into two distinct groups: the bacteria
and the archaea, which scientists believe have unique evolutionary lineages.
Eukaryotes: Typical Eukaryotic Cell - Animan
2. Eukaryotes
Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other
membrane-bound organelles.
Eukaryotes: Typical Eukaryotic Cell – Animal
a) Class includes plants, animals, fungi, protozoans, yeasts and some algae’s.
b) Large cells (10-100 µm in diameter). 10X bigger than prokaryotes.
c) Surrounded by a membrane called plasma membrane
• Composed of lipids and proteins
• Serves as chemical barrier to the outside environment
d) Contain INTERNAL membranes and compartments. (Unique feature)
• Compartments = organelles
• Organelles contain organized complexes of macromolecules that perform a
certain biological function.
• Most enzymes are compartmentalized
• Compartmentalization results in separation of biological function!!
We’ll see a lot of this phenomenon throughout the course
e) No cell walls in animal cells.
f) Plants, fungi, algae generally have a cell wall
EUKARYOTIC CELL PARTS:
1. Cytoplasm/cytosol
- Viscous aqueous environment (NOT free flowing)
- Contains small molecules, nutrients, salts, soluble proteins
- 20-30% of cytosol is protein – Very concentrated
- Highly organized environment **
- A major site of cellular metabolism (e.g. glycolysis)
- Contains cytoskeleton
2. Cytoskeleton
- 3-dimensional matrix made of protein fibers
- Functions to give cells shape, allows cells to move, guides internal
organelle movement.
3. Nucleus
- Site of most DNA and RNA synthesis
- Storage of genetic information
- Bound by a double membrane
- Largest organelle in eukaryotic cells
4. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

- Network of interconnected, closed, membrane-bounded vesicles
- Attached to cell and nuclear membrane
- Used for manufacturing, modification and transport of cellular materials
- Two types:
* Smooth ER = site of lipid synthesis
* Rough ER = site of protein synthesis via ribosomes
- Ribosomes are made up of RNA and proteins not bound by a membrane
5. Lysosomes
- Internal sacs bound by a single membrane
- Responsible for degrading cell components that have become obsolete for the cell
or organism.
- Internal pH ~5 (very acidic)
- Compartmentalization ESSENTIAL! Sequesters this biological activity from the
rest of the cell.
- Enzymes in lysosomes degrade polymers into their individual building blocks
6. Golgi Apparatus
- Flattened vesicles of lipid/protein/sugar
- Usually found near smooth ER and nucleus
- Involved in protein and fat processing and trafficking to other organelles (e.g.
lysosomes, plasma membranes) – Distribution and shipping department
for cell materials.
7. Mitochondria
- Have double membrane (inner and outer)
- Place where most oxidative energy production occurs = “powerhouse” of the cell
- Form ATP – Convert oxygen and nutrients to energy
- Small, typically the size of a bacterium
- Contain a circular DNA molecule like that of bacteria (own genome)
- Because of the double membrane, size and presence of own genome,
mitochondria are believed to be descendants of a bacteria that was engulfed by a
larger cell billions of years ago = endosymbiotic hypothesis.
- A cell can have over 1000 mitochondria! Depends on need for energy---muscle cells
have a lot of mitochondria
references
1. https://www.thoughtco.com/biochemistry-introduction-
603879
2. https://byjus.com/chemistry/biochemistry/
3. https://slcc.pressbooks.pub/humanbiology/chapter/chapter-
2-organization-of-life/
4. https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_Ge
neral_Biology/Book%3A_Introductory_Biology_(CK-
12)/01%3A_Introduction_to_Biology/1.07%3A_Organization
_of_Living_Things

1.A Introduction To Biochemistry and Life

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1.A Introduction To Biochemistry and Life

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

1.A Introduction To Biochemistry and Life

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

INTRODUCTION TO

At the end of this lesson, the students are expected to:

• Define and differentiate biochemistry from the other

• It is also referred to as the roots of

• deals with the structure and

• It is one of the most important

The other branches

The principal types of biological molecules or biomolecules

→the biological processes

Biochemistry is essential to understand the following concepts:

• chemical structures and reactivity’s of molecules that participate

- Most biological compounds

• The atom is the smallest

A molecule, like this large DNA

4 MAJOR CLASSES OF BIOMOLECULES SERVE AS BUILDING BLOCKS FOR

Starch and Cellulose: polymers of

A Cell is the smallest fundamental unit of structure in living organisms.

All living things are made of cells;

Cells have all of the properties of life

Organelles are small structures that exist

Two basic classes of organism

Prokaryotes are organisms whose cells lack a nucleus and other

4. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

You might also like