University of San Agustin

General Luna St., 5000 Iloilo City, Philippines

www.usa.edu.ph

COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND ALLIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONS -

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

Introduction to Biochemistry

“Biochemistry is the chemistry of life”

Biochemistry uses chemistry to study the chemical and biological processes that occur in the system of a
living organism. This is why biochemistry is referred to as the "chemistry of life." Biochemistry employs
the technique of molecular chemical analysis to learn more about the biological processes that occur in our
bodies. Biochemical techniques can be used to study the biological and chemical activities that occur in the
body of a living organism. Biochemistry can be used to investigate the structure and function of complex
organic molecules found in living organisms. It also teaches us about the interactions between molecules
and how they work together to maintain equilibrium in living organisms.

Anything related to Medicine, Nutrition and General Health are all connected to biochemistry.
Medical science cannot exist without biochemistry. We wouldn't have the precise chemical
knowledge to create the vital drugs, therapies, and diagnostic tools we use every day if biochemists
didn't keep making scientific breakthroughs. Health in all species is dependent on a harmonious
balance of biochemical reactions in the body. There are four main kinds of biomolecules, these are
the: Proteins, Lipids, Carbohydrates, and Nucleic Acids. Lipids, also known as fats, play multiple
roles in the body. Fats are broken down in the digestive tract to form individual fatty acids and
cholesterol molecules. Carbohydrates are the preferred source of energy for most of the tissues in
the body, including the nervous system and the heart. Nucleic acids are made up of three different
types of molecules linked together: a sugar, a phosphate molecule, and another nitrogenous base
molecule. The primary function of nucleic acids is to store information used in the production of
proteins. Proteins are large and fairly complex molecules that perform the majority of the work in
cells. They are also required for cell structure maintenance and are essential for the function and
regulation of all body tissues.

Email: cn@usa.edu.ph | Tel. No.: 0999-997-1485 | Fax No.: (033) 337-4403