Introduction To Biochemistry

Introduction to
Biochemistry
Sumaia Sadia Vabna
Lecturer
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
 What is Biochemistry?
Biochemistry is the study of the chemical substances and vital processes
occurring in living organisms. 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.
This term was introduced to us by Carl Neuberg, the father of biochemistry in
the year 1930. This field combines biology as well as chemistry to study the
chemical structure of a living organism. The biochemists get into the
investigation of the chemical reactions and combinations which are involved in
various processes like reproduction, heredity, metabolism, and growth, thus
performing research in different kinds of laboratories.
Introduction to Biochemistry includes wide areas of molecular biology as well
as cell biology. It is relevant to molecules that make up the structure of organs
and cells which is the molecular anatomy. It describes carbon compounds and
the reactions they undergo in living organisms. It also describes molecular
physiology, which is the functions of molecules in carrying out the
requirements of the cells and organs.
It mainly deals with the study of the structure and functions of the biomolecules
such as carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Hence, it is also
called Molecular biology.
 Branches of Biochemistry
The primary branches of biochemistry are listed in this subsection.
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.
Cell biology
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 focussing
on prokaryotes- the topics that will be covered under microbiology.
Metabolism
Metabolism 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.
Genetics
Genetics is a branch of biochemistry that deals with the study of genes, their
variations and the heredity characteristics in living organisms.
The other branches include Animal and Plant Biochemistry, Biotechnology,
Molecular Chemistry, Genetic engineering, Endocrinology, Pharmaceuticals,
Neurochemistry, Nutrition, Environmental, Photosynthesis, Toxicology, etc.
 Importance of Biochemistry
Biochemistry is essential to understand the following concepts.
 The chemical processes which transform diet into compounds that are
characteristics of the cells of a particular species.
 The catalytic functions of enzymes.
 Utilizing the potential energy obtained from the oxidation of foodstuff
consumed for the various energy-requiring processes of the living cell.
 The properties and structure of substances that constitute the framework
of tissues and cells.
 To solve fundamental problems in medicine and biology.
 Biomolecules
The living matter is composed of mainly six elements- carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. These elements together constitute
about 90% of the dry weight of the human body. Several other functionally
important elements are also found in the cells. These include Ca, K, Na, Cl, Mg,
Fe, Cu, Co, I, Zn, F, Mo and Se.
 The cell
The cell is the structural and functional unit of life. It may be also regarded as
the basic unit of biological activity. The cells of the living kingdom may be
divided into two categories
1. Prokaryotes: lack a well-defined nucleus and possess relatively simple
structure. These include the various bacteria.
2. Eukaryotes: It possess a well-defined nucleus and are more complex in their
structure and function. The higher organisms (animals and plants) are
composed of eukaryotic cells.
Nucleus
Nucleus is the largest cellular organelle, surrounded by a double membrane

nuclear envelope. The outer membrane is continuous with the membranes of
endoplasmic reticulum. At certain intervals, the two nuclear membranes have
nuclear pores with a diameter of about 90 nm. Nucleus contains DNA, the
repository of genetic information. Thus, a single human chromosome is
composed of about a million nucleosomes. The number of chromosomes is a
characteristic feature of the species. Humans have 46 chromosomes, compactly
packed in the nucleus. The nucleus of the eukaryotic cell contains a dense body
known as nucleolus. It is rich in RNA. The ground material of the nucleus is
often referred to as nucleoplasm. It is rich in enzymes such as DNA
polymerases and RNA polymerases.
 Mitochondria
The mitochondria) are the centres for the cellular respiration and energy
metabolism. They are regarded as the power houses of the cell with variable
size and shape. Mitochondria are rod-like or filamentous bodies. The
mitochondria are composed of a double membrane system. The outer
membrane is smooth and completely envelops the organelle. The inner
membrane is folded to form cristae which occupy a larger surface area. The
internal chamber of mitochondria is referred to as matrix or mitosol. It is
regarded as the powerhouse of cell.
 Endoplasmic reticulum
The network of membrane enclosed spaces that extends throughout the

cytoplasm constitutes endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Some of these thread-like
structures extend from the nuclear pores to the plasma membrane. A large
portion of the ER is studded with ribosomes to give a granular appearance
which is referred to as rough endoplasmic reticulum. Ribosomes are the
factories of protein biosynthesis. During the process of cell fractionation,
rough ER is disrupted to form small vesicles known as microsomes. The
smooth endoplasmic reticulum does not contain ribosomes. It is involved in
the synthesis of lipids and metabolism of drugs, besides supplying Ca2+ for the
cellular functions.
 Golgi apparatus
Eukaryotic cells contain a unique cluster of membrane vesicles known as
dictyosomes which, in turn, constitute Golgi apparatus (or Golgi complex).
The newly synthesized proteins are handed over to the Golgi apparatus which
catalyse the addition of carbohydrates, lipids or sulfate moieties to the proteins.
These chemical modifications are necessary for the transport of proteins across
the plasma membrane. Golgi apparatus are also involved in the membrane
synthesis, particularly for the formation of intracellular organelles (e.g.
peroxisomes, lysosomes).
 Lysosomes
Lysosomes are spherical vesicles enveloped by a single membrane. Lysosomes

are regarded as the digestive tract of the cell, since they are actively involved in
digestion of cellular substances namely proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and
nucleic acids. Lysosomal enzymes are categorized as hydrolases. These
include the enzymes D-glucosidase (glycogen), cathepsins (proteins), lipases
(lipids), ribonucleases (RNA). The lysosomal enzymes are responsible for
maintaining the cellular compounds in a dynamic state, by their degradation
and recycling. The digestive enzymes of cellular compounds are confined to the
lysosomes in the best interest of the cell.
 Peroxisomes
Peroxisomes, also known as microbodies, are single membrane cellular
organelles. They are spherical or oval in shape and contain the enzyme catalase.
Catalase protects the cell from the toxic effects of H2O2 by converting it to
water and oxygen.
Peroxisomes are also involved in the oxidation of long chain fatty acids (> C18),
and synthesis of plasmalogens and glycolipids.
 Cytosol and cytoskeleton

The cellular matrix is collectively referred to as cytosol. Cytosol is basically a
compartment containing several enzymes, metabolites and salts in an aqueous
gel like medium. More recent studies however, indicate that the cytoplasm
actually contains a complex network of protein filaments, spread throughout,
that constitutes cytoskeleton.
The cytoplasmic filaments are of three types – microtubules, actin filaments
and intermediate filaments. The filaments which are polymers of proteins are
responsible for the structure, shape and organization of the cell.

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Introduction to

Nucleus is the largest cellular organelle, surrounded by a double membrane

The network of membrane enclosed spaces that extends throughout the

Lysosomes are spherical vesicles enveloped by a single membrane. Lysosomes

 Cytosol and cytoskeleton

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