Biochem Introduction

WHAT IS BIOCHEMISTRY?

This chapter introduces the student to the chemistry of life. It describes several criteria, the
possessions of which will qualify a creature to be classified as living. The reader will realize that
all life forms on this planet are made up of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, together with some
inorganic components, mainly water, and some other elements like nitrogen, phosphorous, and
sulfur, intricately engineered by some unseen hand to form molecules of life, a gigantic leap from
non-life to life. Biochemical research has yielded valuable insights on how diseases develop and
may be treated. Inevitably, this leads to ethical considerations on how far science should go to
alleviate the ills that plague mankind. The answer to these questions lies within each of us

THE ELEMENTS OF LIFE:
Elements in various combinations comprise all matter, including living things. Living organisms'
most abundant elements include carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus.
These form the nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids that are the fundamental
components of living matter. Biologists must understand these essential building blocks and the
unique structures of the atoms that make up molecules, allowing for the formation of cells,
tissues, organ systems, and entire organisms.

All biological processes follow the laws of physics and chemistry, so to understand how
biological systems work, it is important to understand the underlying physics and chemistry. For
example, the flow of blood within the circulatory system follows the laws of physics that regulate
the modes of fluid flow. The breakdown of the large, complex molecules of food into smaller
molecules—and the conversion of these to release energy to be stored in adenosine triphosphate
(ATP)—is a series of chemical reactions that follow chemical laws. The properties of water and
the formation of hydrogen bonds are key to understanding living processes. Recognizing the
properties of acids and bases is important, for example, to our understanding of the digestive
process. Therefore, the fundamentals of physics and chemistry are important for gaining insight
into biological processes.

Our body is an incredible chemical factory. It is also a living machine that can do many different
kinds of jobs. To stay in good condition, it needs many specific chemicals compound. Our body is
made up of millions of tiny cells and thousands of chemical reactions. The study of these
reactions and the chemicals that they produce is called BIOCHEMISTRY – the chemistry of living
things and life processes.

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

Like all scientific endeavors, it operates on the premise that all changes and interactions that
occur in the physical universe follow certain fixed rules. To discover these rules, natural scientists
use the scientific method that requires straight and logical thinking. Man’s knowledge in
biochemistry grows with the realization that some of our current ideas may need to be modified
or even discarded in favor of another. Evolution has led to millions of diverse life forms, and
multiple life processes have been found to proceed in unanticipated and wondrous ways. Only
God knows where biochemistry will eventually lead, but it is certain that health sciences will be
drastically impacted.

ATTRIBUTES OF LIFE

Some characteristics of living things that ensure survival:

Adaptation – or the presence of body structures that make living things fit to live in their habitat.
Adaptation is also passed from generation to generation.

Growth and Repair – growth is the ability to add new tissue, while repair is the ability to replace
damaged parts.

Reproduction – is the ability to beget offspring, ensuring propagation and continuance of the
species. Is the formation of new individuals for the propagation of the species. Without
reproduction, the species will die out and become extinct.

Metabolism – is the sum of all the biological and chemical activities that provide energy.
Constructive metabolism is called anabolism, while destructive metabolism is catabolism.
Complexity and Organization – complexity refers to elaborate structures needed to carry out
laborious functions like metabolism. The organization is putting the different body structures into
order so that the organism can function effectively and efficiently.

Regulation – the ability to keep functions under control through the use of substances like
hormones and enzymes.

All living organisms possess a characteristic size and shape – ex: an ant can never become as
big as an elephant.

Responsiveness to stimuli or Sensitivity – is the ability to respond favorably or unfavorably to its
environment.

Locomotion – is the ability to move on its initiative, under its control.

Variation and Change – explains why no two organisms are exactly alike (variation) and no
organism remains unchanged forever. Adaptation and evolution are mechanisms of change.

Development – includes all changes undergone by an organism through time. It starts with
fertilization and ends with death. Development involves growth and differentiation. Differentiation
is a process that changes the cell structure to make it functional. For example – after fertilization,
generalized cells specialize to become cells with specific functions – skin cells, nerve cells, etc…

THE CHEMICALS OF LIFE:

All living organisms are predominantly constructed from carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, together
with some inorganic elements like nitrogen, phosphorous, and sulfur.

Water
All life forms, from the simplest bacteria to the most complex multicellular plants and animals
contain water. Human cells are composed of about 70% water, over 80% in blood, and 60-70% of
the body as a whole.

Organic compounds
Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and lipids

Inorganic elements
Bulk elements (N, Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K, Ca) requires in relatively large amounts. Trace elements like;
Fe, Zn, I.

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