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BCH211

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65 views15 pages

BCH211

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durumichael706
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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BCH211

INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY
Defination of Biochemistry
• Biochemistry is a branch of science that explores the chemical processes and
substances that occur within living organisms.
• i.eChemistry of Living beings or Chemical Basis of Life
• Hundreds of Biochemical reactions and Biochemical processes occurring in
sub cellular organelles of a cell in an organized manner.
• It combines principles from biology and chemistry to study the intricate
molecular interactions and transformations that underlie various biological
processes.
• Biochemists employ a variety of techniques and tools to investigate the
complex molecular mechanisms that drive life
• biochemistry seeks to understand the structure, function, and interactions of
biological molecules, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids,
which are essential for the functioning of cells and organisms.
• These molecules are involved in a wide range of biological activities, including
metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli
• 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.
• 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 NUCLEIC ACID
(RYBOZYME)
• 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.
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
• 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
• Water
• The lifeless organic molecules (table1 ) with appropriate complexity and
properties make a living thing
Table1; Biomolecules
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 living 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
• 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.

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