Biochemistry & Genetics : 1

SHS 103

Resource Person: Dr Tanveer Akbar

Reference Text:
Semester: 1 (Spring 2015)
 What is Biochemistry ?

Bio means Life

Biochemistry = Biology + Chemistry

Biochemistry can be defined as

chemistry of Life
Aim of Biochemistry

Describe and explain, in

molecular terms, all
chemical processes of living
cells
Biochemistry: A laboratory based
science

Biochemist uses chemical and physical

principles to explain biology
at molecular level.

Basic principles of biochemistry are

common to all living organisms
 Areas of Biochemistry
Structure-function of cellular components

Metabolism (catabolic and anabolic

processes) and Regulation

Gene Expression and modulation

Molecular Genetics - How life is replicated,

Regulation of protein synthesis
How simple molecules converted
to
complex organic molecules?
CH4, H2O, NH3, HCN

?
 Many Important Biomolecules
are Polymers
Carbohydrates - macromolecules created by joining many
smaller organic molecules (monomers)
Lipids
Protein
Nucleic Acid (DNA/RNA)
 How Polymers are formed from
monomers
Common theme:

Monomers form polymers  

through condensations

Polymers are broken

down through hydrolysis.
Catabolic and Anabolic reactions
in a living system
Anabolic

• Building block • Macromolecule

– Simple sugar – Polysaccharide
– Amino acid – Protein (peptide)
– Nucleotide – RNA or DNA
– Fatty acid – Lipid

Catabolic
 Cell

Basic structural unit of a living thing

Basic functional unit

Constant source of energy

A cell may be an entire organism
(unicellular)
it may be one of billions of cells that make
up the organism (multicellular)
 Cell
Grow, reproduce, use energy, adapt,
respond to their environment

Many cannot be seen with the naked

eye
– a typical cell size is 10µm; a
typical cell mass is 1 nanogram.)
 Cells May be Prokaryotic or
Eukaryotic
• Prokaryotes (Greek: pro-before; karyon-
nucleus) include various bacteria
lack a nucleus or membrane-bound structures
called organelles

• Eukaryotes (Greek: eu-true; karyon-

nucleus) include most other cells (plants,
fungi, & animals)
have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
Prokaryote Cell
Eukaryotic Cell
 Carbohydrates

monomer g l u c o s e

polymer c e ll u lo s e

c e ll w a ll
 Lipids

monomer f a t t y a c id

polymer p h o s p h o l i p i d

supramolecular
m e m b ra n e
structure
 Nucleic Acids

monomer n u c le o ti d e

polymer D N A

supramolecular
c h r o m a t in
structure
Characteristic Biomembranes and
organelles/ Short video
• Nucleus
Double membrane surrounding the
chromosomes and the nucleolus.
The place where almost all DNA replication and
RNA synthesic Occur.
The nucleolus is a site for synthesis of RNA
making up the ribosome
 Cell organelles
Cytoskeleton
 Microtubules
 Intermediate filament
 microfilaments
Structure of cytoskeleton
 Function of cytoskeleton
• Provide integrity to the cells
• Keep shape of the cell
• Prevent deformation
 Organelles cont.

Mitochondria- The power generators

Mitochondria (Greek: mitos-thread;
chondros-granule):
Surrounded by a double membrane with a series
of fold called cristae. Functions in energy
production through metabolism.
contains its own DNA
 Endoplasmic Reticulum
Types of endoplasmic reticulum
 Rough endoplasmic reticulum
 Smooth Endoplasmic reticulm
Rough endoplasmic reticulum
• Associated with protein synthesis
• Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
• Associated with Lipid metabolism
Structure of Endoplasmic reticulum
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
 Ribosome
• Two sub units in animals cells
• Lager subunit 60 S
• Smaller 40S
• Combined 80 S
 Ribosome
• Have two sites
• A site
• P site
• Ribosome participate in Protein synthesis
Structure
Golgi Bodies/Video
Function of Golgi bodies

Packaging of protein
 Transportation
Posttranslational
See the video too
Central dogma of molecular
biology
 Why Protein Important
Number of function
Enzymes
Antibodies
Cell signaling
Tissue structure
Enzyme
 Function
• Enzymes are biological catalyst
• Speed of the reaction
• Have two sites
• Active site
• Catalytic site
 Tissue Protein

• Look on to Plasma membrane

All cells use ____ as catalysts for
chemical reactions

1) Proteins
2) DNA
3) RNA
4) Lipids
‘DNA double helix’ was dicovered by:

1) Sanger
2) Kary B Mullis
3) Krebs
4) Watson & Crick
What methods a biochemist uses
to answer biological questions?

1)Biological
2)Chemical
3)Physical
4)1& 2
5)All of above
Formation of Polymers from
monomers is called:

1) Anabolic process
2) Catabolic process
3) Catalytic process
Replication is the process in which
DNA is converted into?
1. DNA
2. RNA
3. Both DNA & RNA
4. Protein
Transcription is a process in which
DNA produce………
1. RNA
2. DNA
3. Amino Acids
4. All of the above
 End product of the translation
process is …..
1. Protein
2. Amino Acids
3. Both Protein and amino acids
4. RNA
 Where mRNA bind on Ribosome?
1. On A site
2. On P site
3. On both A & P site
4. Neither of the above
 Prokaryotes DNA is present in…..
1. Cytoplasm
2. Nucleus
3. Mitochondria
4. All of the above
 Prokaryotes lacks Mitochondria
1. Yes
2. No
3. Sometimes
4. All of the above
 What are enzymes
1. Biological catalyst
2. Speed up a reaction
3. Protein in Nature
4. All of the above
 Text Books and References

Harpers-illustrated biochemistry, 28th edition.pdf

Lehninger- Principles of Biochemistry 5th edition

Campbell Farrel-Biochemistry 5th edition