INTRODUCTION TO

BIOCHEMISTRY
Prepared by:
KEERTHANA D, M. P HARM
Asst. Professor,
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Definition:
Biochemistry is defined as the branch of science which deals with the
study of chemical reactions which take place inside a living organism.
It explains various processes of living cells like growth, metabolism,
reproduction, response towards stimuli.
It mainly deals with the study of the structure and functions of
biomolecules like carbohydrates, proteins, acids, lipids, fats, enzymes,
hormones, DNA, RNA, etc.
Hence it is also called as molecular biology
How is Biochemistry related to Organic
Chemistry?
• Organic Chemistry is study of compounds of carbon and hydrogen and
their derivatives
• Organic chemistry provides a framework for understanding the
behavior of functional groups (e.g., hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, and
phosphate groups) that play critical roles in biochemical reactions.
• Biomolecules are made up of carbon
• Many carbon compounds are not found in any organism
 biochemistry

Nucleic
acid protein lipid Carbohydrates

Genetic Sickle cell arteriosclerosis

Diabetes
disease anemia mellitus

medicine
4
Levels of Structural Organization in the
Human Body
Cell and its biochemical organization
A cell is defined as “Basic living, structural and functional unit of an
organism which is capable of carrying out the processes of life
independently”.
The cell is the smallest unit of life. Cells are basic building blocks of
life. Cells grow, reproduce, use energy, adapt, and respond to their
environment. Cells cannot be seen with naked eyes.
All living things are made up of cells.
Cells are the smallest working units of all living things.
All cells come from preexisting cells through cell division.
Examples of Cells

Amoeba Proteus

Plant Stem

Bacteria

Red Blood Cell

Nerve Cell
Two Types of Cells

• Prokaryotic
• Eukaryotic
Prokaryotes:
An organism without a true nucleus, but the nuclear material being
scattered in the cytoplasm of the cell. These are the simplest and smallest
cell.
E.g. Blue green algae, E. coli, Cyanobacteria.
Eukaryotes:
An organism containing a highly developed, very complex nucleus,
surrounded by a nuclear envelope consisting of two membranes. These are
larger and more complex than prokaryotes. The higher organisms (animals
and plants) are composed of eukaryotic cells.
E.g. Plant and animal cell.
Prokaryotic

• Do not have structures

surrounded by
membranes
• Few internal structures
• One-celled organisms,
Bacteria
Eukaryotic
• Contain organelles surrounded by membranes
• Most living organisms

Plant Animal
“Typical” Animal Cell
“Typical” Plant Cell
Cell Parts
Organelles
Surrounding the Cell
• Cell Membrane / Plasma Membrane
• Cell Wall
Inside the Cell
• Nucleus Golgi Bodies
• Nuclear Membrane Lysosome
• Chromosomes Vacuoles
• Nucleolus Chloroplast
• Cytoplasm Peroxisomes
• Endoplasmic Reticulum The Cytoskeleton: Microtubules
• Ribosomes
• Mitochondria
Cell Membrane
• Outer membrane of cell that controls movement in and
out of the cell
• Double layer
• The cell membrane, also called the plasma membrane,
is found in all cells and
separates the interior of the cell
from the outside environment
Cell Wall
• The cell wall is the outer covering of a cell,
present adjacent to the cell membrane
• protects the bacterial cell and gives shape to the cell.
Nucleus
• Nucleus is the heaviest component of the cell. It lies in the middle of the
cell. Contains genetic material - DNA

• Nucleus contains the most important

component called chromatin.
• Before cell division, chromatins
organize themselves in small simple
thread like structure called
chromosomes.
Nuclear Membrane
• Surrounds nucleus
• Made of two layers
• It has a double layered nuclear membrane called a nuclear envelope.
• The outer layer of the nuclear envelope is covered
with ribosomes and then continuous with
endoplasmic reticulum.
• The inner membrane joins at the intervals to
form pores.
• From pores, exchange of materials like ions, molecules, and
RNA material takes place.
• At some places the pores are bigger in size
for transferring big biomolecules like
proteins and nucleic acid.
Chromosomes
• Chromosomes are thread-like structures located inside the nucleus of
animal and plant cells.
• Each chromosome is made of
protein and a single molecule of
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
• Each cell normally contains
23 pairs of chromosomes.
• The major function of
chromosomes is to
carry the hereditary information
from one cell generation to
the next.
Nucleolus
• The nucleolus is considered as the brain of the nucleus, covering
nearly 25% volume of the nucleus.
• Primarily, it takes part in the production of subunits that unites to form
ribosomes.
• Hence, nucleolus plays an important role in the synthesis of proteins
and in the production of ribosomes in eukaryotic cells.
Cytoplasm
• Cytoplasm is the gelatinous liquid that fills the inside of a cell. It is
composed of water, salts, and various organic molecules.
• Cytoplasm holds the internal components of cells in place and protects
them from damage.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
• Within the cytoplasm of the cell, there is an extensive network of
membrane arranged in plates and tubules collectively called as
endoplasmic reticulum.
• There are two types of endoplasmic reticulum:
a) Smooth endoplasmic reticulum- They do not contain
ribosomes. SER is concerned with lipid and glycogen
synthesis. It gives mechanical support by forming skeletal
network.
b) Rough endoplasmic reticulum - They contain ribosomes
embedded in the surface. It is involved in protein synthesis
and formation of new cell membranes.
ribosomes nuclear envelope

rough
endoplasmic
reticulum

smooth
endoplasmic
reticulum

0.08 m
Ribosomes
• Ribosomes are small granules outside the membrane of the
endoplasmic reticulum or scattered in the cytoplasm.
• They are composed of RNA, protein and phospholipids.
• These are the sites of protein synthesis from RNA molecules.
• found 'free' in the cytoplasm or
bound to the endoplasmic reticulum
to form rough ER.
Mitochondria
• Mitochondria are rod-like bodies. They are the largest component of
the cytoplasm of a cell.
• A mitochondria consists of proteins, lipids and small amounts of
nucleic acid.
• Each cell contains 50-2500 mitochondria. It composed of a double
membrane system.
• It is called “powerhouse of a cell”. Mitochondria play an important
role in respiration and energy production – breaking down fats &
carbohydrates
• Controls level of water and other materials in cell
• Recycles and decomposes proteins, fats, and carbohydrates
Golgi Bodies
• The Golgi apparatus, also known as the Golgi body or Golgi complex,
is a type of organelle that processes and packages proteins and lipid
molecules (i.e., fat molecules).
• Pumping important proteins out of the cell
for the rest of the body to use.(Lipids)
• It receives proteins from
Endoplasmic Reticulum ----
packages it into membrane-bound vesicles
----- transported to various destinations
Lysosome

• A lysosome is a membrane-bound cell organelle that contains

digestive enzyme for proteins, fats, and carbohydrates
• Transports undigested material to cell membrane for removal by
degradation and recycling.
• They are also called as “suicidal bags” of the cell because they posses
hydrolytic enzyme to digest proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and
nucleic acids.
Vacuoles
• Membrane-bound sacs for storage, digestion, and waste removal
• Contains water solution
• Help plants maintain shape
• Vacuoles might store food or any variety of nutrients a cell might need to
survive.
Chloroplast
• Usually found in plant cells
• Contains green chlorophyll
• Where photosynthesis takes place
Peroxisomes
• A peroxisome is a membrane-bound organelle
• Peroxisomes - sequester diverse oxidative reactions and play
important roles in metabolism, reactive oxygen species detoxification,
and signaling.
• Peroxisomes are involved in the production and elimination of
hydrogen peroxide during biochemical processes.
• Peroxisomes are involved in the synthesis of lipid like cholesterol and
plasmalogens.
The Cytoskeleton: Microtubules
• Microtubules are major components of the cytoskeleton. They are
found in all eukaryotic cells, and they are involved in mitosis, cell
motility, intracellular transport, and maintenance of cell shape.
• Hollow cylinders made of two globular proteins called a and b
tubulin
 The Cytoskeleton: Microtubule • The yellow structure in the diagram
Operation represents the microtubule which
serves as a track for transport the cell
• Purple structure is kinesin
• Blue sphere is vesicle its attached
vesicle ATP with kinesin
• ATP provides energy required for
kinesin
kinesin receptor kinesin move step by step along the
microtubule.
• It helps in understanding how the
cells transport the essential materials
from one region to another
vesicle moves, not microtubule
region(intracellular transport / energy
dynamics in cells)
CELL STRUCTURE LOCATION DESCRIPTION FUNCTION

Cell Wall Plant, Fungi, & Outer layer Support (grow tall)
Bacteria, but not Rigid & strong Protection allows, O2, CO2 to
animal cells Made of cellulose diffuse in & out of cell

Cell Membrane  Plant - inside cell

wall  Support
 Animal - outer  Protection
layer; cholesterol  Controls movement of
All cells  Double layer of materials in/out of cell
phospholipids  Barrier between cell and its
with proteins environment
 Selectively  Maintains homeostasis
permeable
CELL STRUCTURE LOCATION DESCRIPTION FUNCTION

Nucleus  Large, oval  Controls cell

 May contain 1 activities
All cells except
or more  Contains the
prokaryotes
nucleoli hereditary material of
 Holds DNA the cell
Nuclear membrane  Surrounds
nucleus
 Controls movement
 Double
All cells except of materials in/out of
membrane
prokaryotes nucleus
 Selectively
permeable
 CELL LOCATION DESCRIPTION FUNCTION
STRUCTURE

Cytoplasm  Clear, thick, jellylike material

(cytosol)
 Organelles found inside cell  Supports and protects
All cells
membrane cell organelles
 Contains the cytoskeleton
fibers
Endoplasmic  Network of tubes or
reticulum membranes
ER  Carries materials
 Smooth w/o ribosomes
through cell
All cells except  Rough with embedded
prokaryotes  Aids in making
ribosomes
proteins
 Connects to nuclear envelope
& cell membrane
CELL STRUCTURE LOCATION DESCRIPTION FUNCTION

Ribosome  Small bodies

free or attached
All cells to ER  Synthesizes proteins
 Made of rRNA
& protein
Mitochondrion  Peanut shaped  Breaks down sugar
 Double (glucose) molecules to
membrane release energy
All cells except  Outer membrane  Site of aerobic cellular
prokaryotes smooth respiration
 Inner membrane
folded into
cristae
 CELL LOCATION DESCRIPTION FUNCTION
STRUCTURE
Vacuole Plant cells have  Fluid-filled  Store food, water,
a single, large metabolic & toxic
sacs
vacuole wastes
 Largest
 Store large amounts of
Animal cells have organelle in food or sugars in
small vacuoles plant cells
plants
Lysosome
 Small and  Breaks down larger
Plant - food molecules into
round with a
uncommon smaller molecules
single
Animal - common
membrane  Digests old cell parts
 CELL LOCATION DESCRIPTION FUNCTION
STRUCTURE
 Found inside
Nucleolus the cell's
nucleus
All cells except  May have more 
Make ribosomes
prokaryotes than one
 Disappear
during cell
division
Golgi Apparatus  Have a cis & trans face
 Modify proteins made by
All cells except  Stacks of
the cells
prokaryotes flattened sacs
 Package & export
proteins
 CELL LOCATION DESCRIPTION FUNCTION
STRUCTURE
Cilia  Have a 9-2
arrangement of
Animal cells, microtubules  Movement
Protozoans  Short, but
numerous

Flagellum
 Have a 9-2
arrangement of
Bacterial cells & microtubules  Movement
Protozoans
 Long, but few
in number
 CELL LOCATION DESCRIPTION FUNCTION
STRUCTURE
Centrioles  Paired
structures near
the nucleus
 Separate chromosome
Animal cells  Made of a pairs during mitosis
cylinder of
microtubule
pairs
Cytoskeleton
 Strengthen cell &
 Made of maintains the shape
All cells microtubules 7
microfilaments  Moves organelles within
the cell