Module in Biochemistry

MODULE 1. INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY

Overview:

The ultimate goal of biochemistry is to explain all life processes in molecular

detail. Because life processes are performed by organic molecules the discipline of
biochemistry relies heavily on fundamental principles of organic chemistry and other
basic sciences. It is of no surprise that the first "biochemists" actually were organic
chemists who specialized in the chemistry of compounds derived from living organisms.
The text provides an historical overview of some of the key contributions of the early
chemists, and of modern 20th century biochemists who have lead the discipline to
where it is today. Research endeavors such as the human genome project ultimately
owe their success to basic discoveries about the structure of the DNA "double helix" by
Watson & Crick and the development of DNA sequencing methods by Fredrick Sanger.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Define Biochemistry

2. Discuss the aims of biochemistry

3. Explain the different objectives of biochemistry

4. Enumerate sciences related to biochemistry

Discussion:

Biochemistry underlies ordinary life in unseen ways: For example, take a middle‐
aged man who:

 Takes a drug to lower his serum cholesterol. That drug was developed by a
pharmaceutical company's biochemists to inhibit a key enzyme involved in
cholesterol biosynthesis.

 Shaves with a cream containing compounds that soften his beard. These active
agents were developed after studies of the physical properties of keratin, the
protein in hair.

 Eats a breakfast cereal fortified with vitamins identified through nutritional

biochemistry.

 Wears a shirt made from pest‐resistant cotton. The cotton plants were
bioengineered by biochemists through the transfer of genes from a bacterium
into plants.

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 Goes fishing after work. The conservation agents who manage the stream use
biochemical information from the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) sequences to
track the genetics of the fish population.

 Drinks milk before bedtime. His sleep is helped by the amino acids in the milk,
which are converted by his brain into molecular signals that lead to a resting
state in other parts of his brain.

All these everyday events depend on an understanding of the chemistry of living

systems.

Definition

 Science concerned with chemical basis of life

 Science concerned with the chemical constituents of living cells and with the
reaction and process that they undergo

The aim of biochemistry

 Describe and explain in molecular term

 All chemical process of living cell

Major Objective of Biochemistry

 Complete understanding at the molecular level of all the chemical processes

associated with living cells
 Isolation
 Determine
 Analyze

 Further objective

 Attempt to understand how life began

 An appreciation of the biochemistry of less complex form of life is often direct
relevance to human biochemistry

Knowledge of biochemistry is essential to all life science

1. Physiology – science that deals with the ways that living organisms function
2. Immunology – science that deals with the ways in which the body protects itself
from diseases and infections.
3. Pharmacology – scientific study of drugs and how they are used in medicine
4. Pathology – the study of diseases and of the changes that they cause
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5. Microbiology – science that studies extremely small forms of life such as

bacteria and viruses.

Reciprocal relationship between biochemistry & medicine has stimulated mutual

advance

 Biochemistry studies have illuminated many aspects of health & disease

 the study of various aspects of health & disease has opened up new areas of
biochemistry

 Normal biochemical processes are the basis of health

Definition of health

“Complete physical, mental & social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease and infirmity” ------WHO

A strictly biochemistry viewpoint about health:

The situation in which all of the many thousands of intra & extra cellular
reactions that occur in the body are proceeding at the rates commensurate with its
maximal survival in the physiological state.

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 Module in Biochemistry

 Biochemical research has impact on nutrition and preventive medicine

 All disease has a biochemical basis
1. physical agent:
A. mechanical trauma
B. extremes of temperature
C. sudden changes in atmospheric
D. pressure
E. radiation
F. electric shock
2. chemical agents:
A. drugs
B. certain toxic compounds
C. therapeutic drugs
3. biological agents:
A. Viruses
B. Bacteria
C. Fungi
D. Higher forms of parasites
4. oxygen lack
A. loss of blood supply,
B. depletion of the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood,
C. poisoning of the oxidative enzyme
5. genetic disorders:
A. Congenital
B. Molecular
6. immunology reaction
A. Anaphylaxis - hypersensitivity resulting from sensitization following prior
contact with the causative agent
B. Autoimmune disease – relating to, or caused by auto antibodies that
attack molecules or tissues of organisms producing them
7. nutritional imbalances
A. deficiencies
B. excesses
8. Endocrine imbalances
A. hormonal deficiencies
B. Excesses

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 Module in Biochemistry

 Biochemical studies contribute to

A. Diagnosis – the act of identifying a disease, illness, or problem by examining

someone or something.
B. Prognosis – a doctor’s opinion about how someone will recover from an
illness or injury.
C. Treatment – the way that you think of and act toward someone or something.

Causes

Scurvy Vitamin C deficiency

Rickets Vitamin D deficiency

Arteriosclerosis Genetic, dietary environmental

factors

Phenylketonuria Mutation in the gene coding

phenyalanine hydroxylase

Cystic fibrosis Mutation in the gene coding the

CFTR protein

Cholera Exotoxin of Vibrio cholera

Diabetes mellitus Type I Insulin deficiency

Many biochemical studies illuminate disease mechanisms & disease inspires

biochemical research.

USE EXAMPLE

1. To reveal the fundamental Demonstration of the genetic defects in

causes and mechanisms of Cystic fibrosis.
disease

2. To suggest rational treatment Use of diet low in Phenylalanine for the

of diseases treatment of Phenylketunoria.

3. To assist in the diagnosis of Use of plasma enzyme CK-MB in the

specific disease diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction.

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4. To act as screening tests for Use of measurement of blood tyrosine or

the early diagnosis of certain TSH in the Neonatal diagnosis of congenital
diseases hypothyroidism.

5. To assist in monitoring the Use of the plasma enzyme ALT in

progress of certain disease monitoring the progress of infectious
Hepatitis.

6. To assist in assessing the Use of measurement of blood CEA in

response of disease to certain patients who have been treated for
therapy cancer of the colon.

Assessment:

1. Define Biochemistry in your own words and describe its importance to your daily
life.
2. What are the disciplines related to Biochemistry? Describe briefly.
3. Differentiate prognosis from diagnosis and discuss how it is important in the
treatment of a disease.

Please visit this link for additional information:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JWku3Kjpq0
References:

Stoker, Stephen H. Exploring General, Organic and Biological Chemistry. 6th Edition

Campbell, Biology. 4th Edition

Manosa, S., Talaue, F. (2007). Breaking Through Biology, C & E Publishing, Inc.

https://www.uwyo.edu/molecbio/courses/molb-3610/files/3610%20chpts%201-
2%20notes.pdf

https://www.thoughtco.com/biochemistry-introduction-603879

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