BIOCHEMISTRY:

SIMPLE VIEW OF
ORGANISM COMPLEXITY
Kenneth L. Frias
Why study biochemistry?
 Biochemistry

Biology – study of living things

Chemistry – study of matter
 Biochemistry

Study of living things

in molecular level
What is a living thing?
A living thing (organism):

• Homeostasis
• Organization
• Metabolism
• Growth and development
• Reproduction
• Adaptability
• Stimulus Sensitivity
Living thing (organism):

Made of Cell (Organized)

Prokaryotic Cell
Eukaryotic Cell
Atom
 Subatomic Particles

• Proton (+1)
• Neutron (0)
• Electron (-1)
Hydrogen – “first” atom
Nebula
Protostar
Nuclear Fusion(Nuclear Change)
Main Sequence Star
 Valence Electrons
(outermost electron/s)
Octet Rule (Stability)
Ionic Bond
Covalent Bond (Single)
Covalent Bond (Double)
Covalent Bond (Triple)
 Chemical Change (Reactions)

• Synthesis (A+B AB)

• Decomposition (AB A+B)
• Single Displacement (A+BC AC+B)
• Double-Displacement (AB+CD AD+CB)
• Acid-Base (H2O and Ionic Salt is formed)
• Combustion (O2-reactant, CO2/H2O-product)
Molecules/Compounds
/Substances
 VSEPR Theory (Structure)

considers the repulsive nature of

electron
VSEPR Theory (Structure)
 Inorganic/Organic
(Molecules or Compounds)
Biological Molecules
(Biomolecules)
Common Elements:
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Sulfur
 Biological Molecules
(Biomolecules)

Nucleic Acid (C,H,O,N,P)

Protein (C,H,O,N,S)
Carbohydrate (C,H,O)
Lipid (C,H,O)
Nucleic Acid (C,H,O,N,P)
(information carrier)
Nitrogenous Bases
 Nitrogenous Base, Sugar,
Phosphate Group (Nucleotide)
Nucleic acid
RNA/DNA
 Nucleic Acid
• DNA – A,T,G,C
• RNA – A,U,G,C
• Contains codes or genes (codon - triplet)
• Assembles proteins
a. transcription – DNA  RNA
b. translation – RNA  protein
• Carries information of organism
• Mutation can lead to diversity (evolution)
 Protein
-structure
-multipurpose functions
Amino Acid - R-CH(NH2)-COOH
Polypeptide (protein)
Polypeptide (protein)
• composed of three or more amino acids
linked by synthesis reactions
• Examples of proteins include insulin,
hemoglobin, and enzymes.
• There are extremely large numbers of
different proteins.
• The bases for variability include
differences in the number, kinds and
sequences of amino acids in the
proteins
 Carbohydrate
(energy, structure)
Monosaccharides (simple sugars)
• all have the formula C6 H12 O6
• all have a single ring structure
– (glucose is an example)
Disaccharides (double sugars)
• all have the formula C12 H22 O11
• sucrose (table sugar) is an example
Polysaccharides
• Formed of three or more simple sugar units
• Glycogen - animal starch stored in liver &
muscles
• Cellulose - indigestible in humans - forms cell
walls
• Starches - used as energy storage
 Lipid
(storage of energy, protection)
Glycerol - C3H5(OH)3
triglyceride
triglyceride
 Lipids
• Fats, oils, waxes, steroids
• Chiefly function in energy
storage, protection, and
insulation
 Monomer (basic)  Polymer (complex)

nucleic acids proteins carbohydrates lipids

monomer nucleotide amino acid glucose fatty acid

polymer DNA protein subunit cellulose phospholipid

macromolecular
structure chromosome protein complex cell wall membrane
Monomers form
polymers through
Dehydration
synthesis/condensation

Polymers are broken

down through
hydrolysis.
Organisms are indeed complex. However,
these complexities arise from simple
building blocks.
Prokaryotic Cell
Eukaryotic Cell
Biochemistry:

• Human physiology
• Diseases and Cures
• Genetics
• Research
• Other physical aspects of life
Knowledge and understanding
are very powerful. How you
use it is your choice. Be wise
and be responsible.
Thank you very much