The Scope of Biochemistry
sciences
1988 Nobel Prize for Medicine
 Great Elion and George Hitchings –
developed Chemical Analogy of Nucleic
acid and Vitamins
 James Black – developed Beta Blockers
3 of drugs are:
o 6 Mercaptopurine
o 3 Azido- 2’,3’ dideoxythmidine
o Isoproteremol
1993 Chemistry Prize
 Michael Smith – develops automated
Chemistry for Synthesis of short Acid
and Fragments
 Kary Mullis – invented the polymerase
chain reaction
Historical Development
19th century Biochemistry had its origin distinct
field of study with pioneering work of Friedrich
Wohler
- It was believed that the substances in
living matter and did not behave
according to the known laws of physics
and chemistry
- Wholer demonstrate, a persuasive
viewpoint called “vitalism” held that, if
not the compounds, at least the
reaction of living mattercould occur
only in living things.
What is Biochemistry?
 Biochemistry seeks to describe the
Structure Organization and Function of
living matter in molecular items.
 Biochemistry can Divided into three
Principle area.
o Structural Chemistry
o Metabolism
o Molecular genetics
Relation of Biochemistry to other branches of
 Organic chemistry
 Biophysics
 Medical research
 Nutrition
 Microbiology
 Cell biology
 Genetics
Characteristics of Living Matter
1. Made of 1 or more cells
a. Unicellular (one cell) ex.
Bacteria
b. Multicellular (many calls) ex.
Animals, plants
2. Chemical Uniqueness – living system
demonstrate a unique and complex
molecular organization.
3. Complexity and hierarchical
organization - – living system
demonstrate a unique and complex
hierarchical organization
4. Reproduction – living system can
reproduce themselves.
a. Asexual reproduction –
producing offspring without the
use of gametes.
b. Sexual reproduction producing
offspring by the joining of sex
cells.
5. Possession of genetic Program – a
genetic program provides fidelity of
inheritance.
All living things have DNA, DNA passes on
genetic information from one generation to
the next.
6. Metabolism – living organisms maintain
themselves by obtaining nutrients from
their environments. (sum of all
chemical action)
 a. Anabolism – simple to complex
(build-up)
b. Catabolism – complex to simple
(breakdown)
7. Growth and Development – all
organisms pass a characteristics life
cycle.
a. Growth – noticeable increase in
the size of the organism or a
specific part of the organism.
b. Development – increasing of
other factors such as mental,
social, and secondary sexual
character in an object at which
we say person has some
maturity.
Each cell divides to make new cells (cell
division) – results in growth
Some cells become specialized and perform
different jobs than others (differentiation)
8. Environmental interaction - all animals
interact with their environment.
a. Movement – internal or
external
b. Irritability – ability to respond
to a stimulus
Stimuli – factors in the environment
that living things react to (ex. Light,
temperature, sound)
9. Maintain Homeostasis
Homeostasis – a relatively stable
internal environment (w/in a certain
range) ex. Human body temp,
approximately 98.6 degrees F
10. Need energy to survive
a. Autotrophs – get energy from
sun
b. Heterotrophs – get energy by
consuming nutrients from their
environment
Cell Organization
 Living things are constructed of cells
 may be unicellular or multicellular
 Cell structure is diverse, but all cells
share common characteristics
Benefits of being Multicellular
 Larger size – the larger the less
predators. Can eat larger prey
 Longer life – longer life span than
unicellular organisms
 Specialization – each type of cell has a
particular job. Makes the organism
more efficient.
Levels of Cell Structural Organization
2 cell type:
Eukaryotic cells – have membrane bound
nucleus and organelles; usually more complex
than prokaryotic
Prokaryotic cells – dos not have a nucleus or
other membrane bound organelles
o Species (one only)
o Genus
o Family order
o Class
o phylum
o kingdom
o domain
 organisms are classified into domains
according to cell type and structure
 organisms are classified into kingdoms
according to cell type, structure and
nutrition
Domain and Kingdom
 organisms are classified into 6 kingdoms
from the 3 domains.
Bacteria > bacteria
Archaea > archaea
Eukarya >animalia, plantae, fungi,
protista
3 Domains:
A. bacteria
o prokaryotes
o cell walls contain
peptidoglycan (polymer of
sugar)
o contains kingdom bacteria
B. archea
o more ancient than bacteria
o prokaryotes
o cell walls
o do not contain
peptidoglycon
C. eukarya
o eukaryotes
o contain kingdom protists,
kingdom fungi, plants,
animals
6 kingdoms:
1. bacteria
2. archaea
3. protists / protista
o unicellular / multicellular
o autotrophs / heterotrophs
(plants/animals)
o green algae have the
protosynthetic pigment
chlorophyll that gives green
color similar to plants.
o Others behave like animals,
with whip-like structures
allow them to zoom around
in water.
o Single celled organisms
with nucleus, but structures
are too simple to qualify as
plants or animals.
4. fungi / mushrooms and molds
o multicellular heterotrophs
o sexual / asexual
5. plants / plantae
o autotrophs
o sexual / asexual
6. animals / animalia
o multicellular heterotrophs
o sexual / asexual
Levels of Cell Structural Organization
 chemical level – atoms combine
to form molecules. Water >
sugar > protein
 cellular level – cells are made of
molecules
o cell – basic unit of
structure and function
in living things
o cells make up all living
cells
 tissue level – tissues consists of
similar types of cells
o simplest living creature
are composed of single
cells, but in complex
organisms like trees or
human beings,
structural ladder
continues on this level
o consists of groups of
similar cells that have
common function.
 Organ level – organs are made
up of different types of tissues
o Composed of two or
more tissue types that
performs a specific
function for the body.
o Each organ performs
specific job.
 Organ system level – consist of
different organs that work
together closely
o Group of two or more
organs that work
 together to perform a
job
 Organism – represents the
highest level of structural
organization, the organismal
level. Organism made up of
many organ systems