Introductory

Biochemistry
The Chemistry of Life

BCH111
Dr. Abdulkadir, Abdullahi
Biochemistry is the studies of chemical processes that occur in living organism
• it is also concerned with the chemical nature and behaviour of the living
matters.
• Like organic chemistry, it is the study of carbon compounds that crawl
• It bridges the gap between the conventional chemistry and biology.
• The history of biochemistry dates back to ancient times, but it became a specific
scientific discipline in the 19th century
• All matter, whether living or nonliving, is made of the same type of building
blocks called atoms
• These atoms,molecules interact to form cells, tissues and whole organism.
• The basic life processes remains the same, whether it is an unicellular
microorganism or the higher organisms such as human or plants.
• Life is nothing but thousands of ordered chemical reactions. In other words,
chemistry is the logic of all biological phenomena
• The living things are composed of lifeless molecules which, exhibit all the physical and
chemical laws that are characteristic of inanimate bodies. Yet living organisms possess
extraordinary attributes, not shown by inanimate molecules.
• Living organisms have certain extraordinary properties. They can grow, respond to
stimuli and replicate themselves with high fidelity. All these activities are ultimately
interpretable in chemical terms..
• Living beings contain a wide variety of organic compounds, besides the ubiquitous
water and other inorganic compounds.
• Major organic molecules present in the living beings are:
carbohydrates,
proteins (of course, including enzymes),
lipids and
nucleic acids.
inorganic compounds
• Minerals
• Each one of the thousands of chemical reactions of metabolism is catalyzed by an
enzyme. Most of these enzymes are proteins, but others are made from NUCLIEC ACID
(RYBOZYME).
• The lifeless organic molecules (table below) with appropriate complexity and properties
make a living thing
• The basic phenomena of biochemistry is to understand how the collections of inanimate
molecules that constitute living organisms interact with each other to maintain life.
 DEFINATIONS OF BIOCHEMISTRY
• Biochemistry is the branch of science concerned with the chemical and physicochemical
processes and substances that occur within living organisms.

• Biochemistry is the study of the chemical substances and vital processes occurring in living
organisms, encompassing both the structure and function of cellular components such as
proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.

• Biochemistry is the discipline that investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying the
biological processes of life, focusing on the chemical interactions and transformations of
biological molecules within cells and organisms.

• Biochemistry is the scientific field that examines the chemical composition, structure, and
function of biological molecules, as well as their interactions and regulation in living systems.

• Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes and transformations that drive the
fundamental functions of living organisms, including metabolism, growth, development, and
response to environmental stimuli.
sub-disciplines
• Structural Biochemistry: This branch focuses on determining and
understanding the three-dimensional structures of biological molecules, such
as proteins, nucleic acids, and complex carbohydrates.
• Enzymology focuses on the study of enzymes, which are specialized proteins
that catalyze biochemical reactions.
• Metabolism involves the study of the chemical processes that occur within
cells to obtain energy and build or break down molecules.
• Molecular biology investigates the structure and function of nucleic acids, such
as DNA and RNA, which play crucial roles in heredity and gene expression.
• medical biochemistry or clinical chemistry, focuses on the application of
biochemical principles to diagnose and monitor diseases.
• Pharmacology involves the study of how drugs interact with biological systems
and the development of new therapeutic agents
 Applications of biochemistry:

• Medicine and Healthcare: Biochemistry plays a crucial role in medical diagnostics. It helps in
understanding diseases at the molecular level, identifying biomarkers for diagnosis.

• Pharmaceuticals: Biochemistry is essential in drug discovery, development, and production. It involves

studying the interactions between drugs and biological systems, as well as the metabolic pathways
involved in drug metabolism and efficacy.

• Biotechnology: Biochemistry contributes to the development of biotechnological processes and

products, including the production of recombinant proteins, vaccines, antibiotics, and genetically
modified organisms (GMOs).

• Agriculture: Biochemistry is utilized in agriculture for crop improvement, pest management, and the
development of genetically modified crops with enhanced nutritional value, resistance to pests and
diseases, and tolerance to environmental stresses.

• Food Science and Nutrition: Biochemistry is important in understanding the nutritional content and
quality of foods, as well as the biochemical processes involved in food production, preservation, and
storage. It also plays a role in the development of functional foods and dietary supplements.
• Environmental Science: Biochemical techniques are used in environmental monitoring and
remediation, including the detection and analysis of pollutants, the assessment of soil and water
quality, and the biodegradation of environmental contaminants.

• Forensic Science: Biochemical techniques such as DNA analysis and protein profiling are employed
in forensic investigations for identifying individuals, determining paternity, and solving crimes.

• Biomedical Research: Biochemistry contributes to a wide range of biomedical research areas,

including molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, immunology, and neuroscience, leading to
advancements in our understanding of health and disease.

• Bioenergy: Biochemical processes are harnessed for the production of biofuels such as ethanol
and biodiesel from renewable biomass sources, offering alternatives to fossil fuels and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.

• Personalized Medicine: Biochemistry enables the development of personalized medicine

approaches based on an individual's unique genetic makeup, metabolism, and biochemical profile,
leading to more targeted and effective treatments.
 The Elements of Life
• Life is Largely a Phenomena of Hydrogen and the Second Period of the Periodic Table.
• More than 99% of the atoms in animals’ bodies are accounted for by just four
elements—
• hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Hydrogen and oxygen are the
constituents of water, which alone makes up 60–70% of cell mass . The Next Important
Elements to Life Occur in Period 3: P and S are the smallest elements capable of
multiple covalent bonds to C, 0 and N, P and S are particularly important in the
capture, storage, and distribution of chemical energy.
• The cell also contain alkali metals sodium (Na) and potassium (K), and magnesium(Mg)
and calcium(Ca).
• The halogen chlorine (Cl) is also always ionized in the cell. All other elements important
for life are present in such small quantities that they are referred to as trace elements.
These include transition metals such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co) and
manganese (Mn).
• A few nonmetals, such as iodine (I) and selenium (Se), can also be classed as essential
trace elements.
Periodic Table of life
 BRANCHES OF BIOCHEMISTRY
• Medical Biochemistry-Deals with chemical basis of
human body.
• Clinical Biochemistry-
• Deals with clinical diseases/pathological conditions of
human body
• Deals with Diagnosis, Therapy and Research of
Medical field.
• Microbial Biochemistry-Deals with Microbes.

• Plant Biochemistry- Deals with Plants.

• Animal Biochemistry-Deals with animals.

• Industrial Biochemistry-Deals with industrial products involved

career as a biochemist
Prospects and opportunities for a career as a biochemist
• Research and Academia: Many biochemists pursue careers in research, working in academic
institutions, government or private research labs. They contribute to scientific advancements
by conducting experiments, analyzing data, and publishing research findings.
• Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industries: play a vital role in the pharmaceutical and
biotechnology industries. They are involved in drug discovery and development, working on
understanding the molecular mechanisms of diseases, identifying drug targets, and
designing new drugs. Biochemists also contribute to the development of biotechnological
products and processes, such as the production of recombinant proteins or genetically
modified organisms.
• Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratories: Biochemists find opportunities in clinical and
diagnostic laboratories, where they analyze patient samples and perform biochemical tests
to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. They may work in hospitals, research
institutes, or commercial laboratories, ensuring the accuracy and quality of laboratory
results.
• Food and Agriculture Industry: Biochemists are involved in the food and
agriculture industry, working on improving crop yield, quality, and nutritional
value. They contribute to the development of genetically modified crops, food
safety testing, and the optimization of food processing techniques.
• Genetic Engineering and Biomedical Engineering: Biochemists with expertise
in molecular biology and genetics can contribute to genetic engineering
projects, such as the modification of organisms for improved traits or the
development of gene therapies. They can also work in the field of biomedical
engineering, developing medical devices, diagnostic tools, and biomaterials.
• Environmental Science and Sustainability: Biochemists can contribute to
environmental science and sustainability efforts. They study the biochemical
processes involved in environmental issues, such as pollution, climate change,
and waste management. Biochemists may work on developing sustainable
energy sources, bioremediation strategies, or understanding the impact of
pollutants on ecosystems.
• Government and Regulatory Agencies: such as the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). They contribute to research, policy development, and regulatory processes
related to health, pharmaceuticals, food safety, and the environment
• Intellectual Property and Patent Law: Biochemists with a strong understanding of
intellectual property and patent law can pursue careers in patent law firms or within
the patent departments of biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies. They can
help protect intellectual property rights and navigate the legal aspects of new
discoveries and inventions.
• Science Communication and Journalism: Biochemists with excellent communication
skills can engage in science communication and journalism. They can work as science
writers, science educators, or contribute to popular science publications, translating
complex scientific concepts into accessible language for the general public.
• These are just a few examples of the prospects available to biochemists. The field
continues to evolve rapidly, offering diverse opportunities for those interested in
exploring the intricacies of biochemical processes and their practical applications in
various industries.