Chapter 1: Introduction in

Biochemistry

Raymund T. Masangya, LPT, M.Sc.

 Learning Outcomes
• a. Discuss the Nature of Biochemistry that can be
related to our community.
• b. Enumerate the attributes of life
• c. Determine the important chemical substance that is
correlated to life.
The Nature of Biochemistry

The Attributes of Life

The Chemicals of Life

The Nature of Biochemistry

The Attributes of Life

The Chemicals of Life

The Nature of Biochemistry
Biochemistry – is the study of compounds,
chemical reactions, and molecular interactions
that are involved in the production,
maintenance and reproduction of living
organisms.
The Nature of Biochemistry

The Attributes of Life

The Chemicals of Life

 Attributes of Life
1. Adaptation – presence of body structures
that make living things fit to live in its habitat.
 Attributes of Life
2. Growth and repair
 Attributes of Life
3. Reproduction
 Attributes of Life
4. Metabolism or the biological and chemical
activities or functions that provide energy.
 Attributes of Life
5. Complexity and Organization
 Attributes of Life
6. Regulation – the ability to keep the functions
under control through the use of substances
like hormones and enzymes.
 Attributes of Life
7. All living organisms possess a characteristic
size and shape.
 Attributes of Life
8. Responsiveness to stimuli or sensitivity
 Attributes of Life
9. Locomotion or Motility
 Attributes of Life
10. Variation and Change
 Attributes of Life
11. Stereospecificity or the ability of certain
molecules present in an organism to interact
with nature in a left- or right-handed manner
The Nature of Biochemistry

The Attributes of Life

The Chemicals of Life

1. Water
• Human cells are composed of about 70%
water, over 80% in blood and 60 – 70% of
the body as a whole.
2. Organic Compounds
• Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA)
• Proteins
• Carbohydrates
• Fats and Lipids
3. Inorganic Elements
• Bulk elements (N, Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K, and
Ca) required in relatively large amounts
• Trace elements (Fe, Zn, I)