MT2112: BIOCHEMISTRY | LECTURE

Lesson 1: Introduction to Biochemistry

Understanding:
OUTLINE:
I. Biochemistry 1. Describing and Explaining Molecular Terms
II. Aims of Biochemistry and Cellular Processes:
III. Significance of Biochemistry • Molecules are tiny building blocks that
IV. History & Highlights in Biochemistry make up everything around us, like water,
V. Elements that make up the Human Body air, and even us human.
a. Oxygen • Chemical processes in a cell are like tiny
b. Hydrogen jobs happening inside a cell. They help the
c. Nitrogen cell get energy and do all the things it
d. Carbon needs to do.
e. Calcium
f. Phosphorus 2. Understanding Chemical Properties of
VI. Other Elements Molecules and Interactions:
a. Sulfur • Chemical properties are like the special
b. Potassium features of molecules. They decide how
c. Sodium molecules will behave, like whether they
d. Chlorine stick together or push apart.
e. Magnesium • Ways molecules interact is like how
VII. Introduction to Biomolecules friends play together. Some stick closely,
VIII. Micromolecule some only wave from a distance, and some
IX. Macromolecule like to share things.
X. How do Monomers form polymers?
XI. How is Polymer Broken Down into • How is the cell maintain homeostasis?
Monomers? • Pa’no ba sila kumikilos?
XII. Different Biomolecules in our Body • What are the different interactions?
• Understanding all this helps us see how the
molecules in cells work together to make
INTRODRUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY
life happen.

BIOCHEMISTRY
• Both life science and chemical science.
• It is the science concerned with the chemical
basis of life.
• It is also concerned with various molecules that
occur in living cells and organisms with their
chemical reaction.
• BIO – Study of life.
• CHEMISTRY – Science of matter (solid, liquid,
& gas)
• BIOCHEMISTRY – The chemistry of life.
SIGNIFICANCE OF BIOCHEMISTRY
• Essential to all life sciences as a foundation of
knowledge in the following areas:
o Genetics, Cell biology, Molecular
biology
o Immunology & Physiology
o Pharmacology & Pharmacy
o Pathology, Microbiology, & Toxicology
o Botany & Zoology
HISTORY & HIGHLIGHTS IN BIOCHEMISTRY

1903
AIMS OF BIOCHEMISTRY
CARL NEUBERG
• To describe and explain molecular terms, all • German chemist who coined the term
the chemical processes that happen in a cell. Biochemistry.
• Understand the chemical properties of
• Defined science and life together.
molecules and determine the ways in which
• FATHER OF BIOCHEMISTRY
they interact with each other.

1953
JAMES WATSON & FRANCIS CRICK
• Discovered the helical structure of the DNA
molecule.
• Double Helix
HANS ADOLF KREBS
• Discovers the biochemical steps of the Krebs
Cycle in carbohydrate metabolism.
• KREB CYCLE – Metabolic pathway where
carbohydrate is metabolized as a source of
energy.
1921
FREDRICK G. BANTING
• Discovered the hormone insulin.
• INSULIN
o Functions like a key, enabling glucose
to enter our body cells for energy
production.
o Without insulin, the conversion of
carbohydrates into energy becomes
unattainable. Therefore, fats are
utilized, leading to the
accumulation/gathering of KETONES.
• KETONES – Waste product of LIPID (FAT)
metabolism, if there’s too much accumulation it
becomes toxic.
• Those who do KETO DIET are mabilis
pumayat kasi fats yung ginagamit ng body
instead of sugar as a source of energy.
• Insulin produces by the beta cells of pancreas.
ELEMENTS THAT MAKE UP THE HUMAN
BODY
• Oxygen – 65.0%
• Carbon – 18%
• Hydrogen – 10%
• Nitrogen – 3%
• Calcium – electrolyte – 1.4%
• Phosphorus – 1.1%
• Most of the oxygen present is found in the form
of water (and in our blood).
• Oxygen plays a critical role in metabolism and
respiration and the element is found in every
major organic molecule in the body including
proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and nucleic
acids.
ORGANIC MOLECULE – Molecule that has
carbon elements.
CARBON
• The next most common element in the human
body, making up 18% of the body by mass.
• Its role is mostly structural, forming the
“backbone” of many organic molecules.
CHARACTERISTIC:
• Carbon can easily bond with other
elements.
HYDROGEN
• The most abundant element in the universe
(about 75% of total mass) and makes up
around 10% of the human body by mass.
• It is present in the form of water (along with
oxygen) as well as being an important element
in organic molecules.
CHARACTERISTIC:
• Complex element that easily bonds
with other elements.
NITROGEN
• Comprises 3% of the human body by mass.
• It is found in all organisms in molecules such
as amino acids (building blocks of proteins),
nucleic acid (DNA & RNA), and adenosine
triphosphate (ATP), an essential energy
transfer molecule.
• PROTEIN – Made up of the elements; Carbon,
Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen.
• DNA / RNA > protein > genetic information

OXYGEN • It is a key element found in important

molecules like those that make up proteins, our
• Oxygen is the most common element in the genetic material, and the energy currency used
human body by mass, comparing by our cells.
approximately 65.0% of the body mass.
 CALCIUM
• Considered as ELECTROLYTE.
• The most abundant metal in the human body,
at around 1.4% by mass.
• It functions in the formation of bones and teeth
and lack of this element in diet can lead to a
variety of degenerative conditions.
• Other important roles in the human body
include protein synthesis, maintaining the
potential difference across cell membranes,
and acting as second messengers in signal
transduction pathways.
• ELECTROLYTE – A metal which has the
capability to conduct electricity in water.
• This element makes our bones and teeth
strong, helps make proteins, keeps our cells
working right, and even helps messages move
around inside us.
PHOSPHORUS
• Are essential to life, and this bound form of
phosphorus is a major component of essential
organic molecules such as phospholipids, ATP,
and nucleic acids.
• It comprises 1.1% of the total body mass of the
human body.
• Mainly in phosphate form.
• Without phosphate, we cannot produce DNA;
found in nucleoside bases with sugar and
nitrogen.
OTHER ELEMENTS
• Potassium – electrolyte – < 1%
• Sulfur
• Sodium – electrolyte
• Chlorine
• Magnesium – electrolyte
POTASSIUM
• Considered as ELECTROLYTE.
• Makes up less than 1% of body mass.
• It plays a vital role in nerve transmission via the
transfer of potassium ions and across nerve
cell membranes.
• An electrolyte for; potassium ATpase pump,
forming clotting factors, to contract muscles
and heart.
• It is really important for sending messages in
our nerves. It helps move special particles
called potassium ions back and forth across
nerve cells.
SULFUR
• Plays an essential role in the human body.
• Found in the body almost always in the form of
metal sulfides and organosulfur compounds.
• Sulfur is also a major structural element of the
protein keratin, which is found in skin and hair.
• It's usually mixed up with other stuff in our
bodies, like metals and special compounds
with sulfur in them.
SODIUM
• Considered as ELECTROLYTE.
• An alkali metal that is commonly found in salt.
• Sodium ions contribute to osmotic pressure as
they are the major cation in the extracellular
fluid (ECF).
o It's in charge of how much water and
pressure is inside and outside our cells.
• Plays a key role in nerve transmission.
• Balances water in our body.
o If there is sodium, there is water.
CHLORINE
• Plays an essential role in maintaining the acid-
base balance of blood, along with the formation
of tendons, teeth, and bones. It is commonly
found in salts, and in combination with
potassium and sodium in the body.
• It also contributes to liver function and helps to
eliminate organic waste.
• Maintain normal pH level
• NORMAL PH LEVEL – 7.35 to 7.45
• CHLORIDE SHIFT – Chloride is excreted and
a molecule will enter the cell to maintain the pH
in the blood.
MAGNESIUM
• Considered as ELECTROLYTE.
• Least common of the essential elements in
the human body.
• Some 300 or so enzymes require magnesium
ions to function properly, and magnesium ions
to interact with compounds such as DNA, RNA,
and ATP.
• Serves as an inorganic cofactor
o Works with the enzymes to speed up
the chemical reaction in the body.
o Katulong ng enzymes
• ATOMS – Basic unit of matter; CANNOT be
split.
• MOLECULE – Composed of more than one
atom/atom bonded together; CAN be split.
• BIOMOLECULES – Found in our body;
molecules that are alive or/and function
continuously.
INTRODRUCTION TO BIOMOLECULES
• The body is like an extraordinarily complex
machine which requires multiple parts that
work all together with a complex relationship
from micro to molecular level.
• Our body is like a very complicated machine. It
has many tiny parts that need to work together
perfectly, from really small particles to tiny
molecules.
MICRO MOLECULE
• Monomer
• A SMALL molecule of low molecular weight
and is often referred to as a monomer.
• Monomers combine through different
biochemical reactions to form a macro
molecule known as a polymer.
• MONOMER + MONOMER + MONOMER =
POLYMER
MACRO MOLECULE
• Polymer
• VERY LARGE molecules composed of
multiple monomers.
• Monomers combine with each other using
covalent bonds from larger molecules known
as polymers.
HOW DO MONOMERS FORM POLYMERS?
• In condensation reactions (dehydration
synthesis), a molecule of water is removed
from two monomers as they are connected
together.
•
• The hydrogen atom in Glucose 2 bonded with
both the hydrogen and oxygen atoms of
Glucose 1, forming H2O. This left the oxygen
atom in Glucose 2 available to connect the two
monomers together.
• GLUCOSE + GLUCOSE = MALTOSE
• MALTOSE – A carbohydrate and a
disaccharide.
• DIMER – 2 monomers bonded together
HOW DO POLYMER BROKEN DOWN INTO
MONOMERS?
• Through the process of Hydrolysis
• The H2O will use hydrolysis to break the bond
between the two monomers, and it will form
new bonds with each of the monomers.
• HYDRO – Water
• LYSIS – Disintegration
• ANABOLISM
o Dehydration
o Monomer to polymer
o Creates complex molecules.
o Important for the maintenance and
growth of the cell in the body.
• CATABOLISM
o Hydrolysis
o Polymer to monomer
o Breaks down to simpler molecules.
o Occurs when there is a shortage of
available energy to sustain regular
cellular functions.
o Reserve source of energy
 o Kapag kinulang ang katawan ng
molecule.

DIFFERENT BIOMOLECULES IN OUR BODY

PROTEIN

Monomer Examples Uses

Storage,
Enzymes, Structural,
Amino Acid some Defensive,
Hormones Enzymes,
Transport

LIPIDS

Monomer Examples Uses

Energy Storage,
Butter Oil, Protection,
Fatty Acid &
Cholesterol, Chemical
Glycerol
Beeswax Messenger, Repel
Water

CARBOHYDRATES

Monomer Examples Uses

Glucose,
Fructose, Energy
Monosaccha
Starch, Storage,
rides
Glycogen, Structure
Cellulose

NUCLEIC ACIDS

Monomer Examples Uses

Genetic
Nucleotide DNA, RNA
Information

• Albumin – Protein carrier