Module 1 Biochem

Introduction
to the Study of
Biochemistry
Module 1
Learning Objectives
At the end of the module, you will be able to:

• explain that life is the coordination of several biochemical
reactions
• describe the significance and relevance of biochemistry to
other fields of sciences
• analyze the unique properties of water that make it
a suitable medium for biochemical reactions.
Biochemistry
• “Bios” + Chemistry
• the science of the chemical basis of life
• deals with the study of the chemical

constituents of living cells and the
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
reactions and processes they

undergo.
Aims of
Biochemistry
1. To understand the life

in molecular terms;
and
2. To describe the
structure, organization,
and functions of living
matter in molecular
terms.
Areas of Biochemistry
Structural
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Molecular
Metabolism
Genetics
1. The structural chemistry of the components of living

matter and the relationship of biological function to
chemical structure.
• Organic Chemistry is the backbone of Biochemistry.
• Retrieved from
https://www.brainkart.com/article/
Chemical-Foundations-of-
Biochemistry_27423/.
Areas of
Biochemistry
2. Metabolism, the totality of
chemical reactions that occur in
living matter

3. The chemistry of process and

substances that store and transmit
biological information (Molecular
genetics)
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The Cell
The structural unit of living systems

Phylogeny of Cell
Phylogeny of the Three Distinct Domains of Life
Biggest Biological Distinction: There are 2 types of cells: the
Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes Prokaryotes and the Eukaryotes
The Prokaryotic Cell
1. Plasma membrane 5. Ribosomes

2. Cell wall • Molecular machinery for
protein synthesis
3. Cytoplasm
6. Pili
4. Cytosol • Aid in attaching the organism
• Structures and genetic to other cells or surfaces
information in the form of one
or more DNA are suspended in 7. Flagella
it • Enable cells to swim
Eukaryotes: Plant vs Animal Cell
Animal Cell Plant Cell

Lysosomes Cell wall
Mitochondria Glyoxysome
Centrosome Plasmodesma
Vacuole (smaller) Vacuole (large)
Thylakoids
Chloroplast
Starch granule
Plastids
The Eukaryotic
Cell
Three distinct parts:
1. Cytoplasm
2. Organelle
3. Plasma membrane
CYTOPLASM
• portion of the cell enclosed Glycolysis

by the cell membrane and
Gluconeogenesis
outside the nucleus where
Fatty acid synthesis
the cellular organelles are
Protein synthesis
found
Part of urea cycle
• Most of the biochemical
Purine metabolism
reactions happens in the
Amino acid synthesis
cytoplasm
CYTOPLASM
Major parts of the Cytoplasm:
1. Cytosol – fluid portion of the cytoplasm; some

biochemical reactions also occur in the cytosol
2. Organelles - tiny structures that perform different
functions in the cell
CYTOPLASM
3. Cytoskeleton - gives shape

and support to cell
Compositions:
a. Microfilaments
b. Intermediate filaments
c. Microtubules
Organelles
3 most important organelles:

1. Nucleus
2. Mitochondrion
3. Chloroplast – seen in plant cells
Nucleus
• The most important and the largest eukaryotic
organelle.
• repository and cellular localization of storage,
replication and expression of genetic information.
• contains almost 99% of the cell DNA
Biochemical reactions:
1. Replication
2. Synthesis of rRNA This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
3. Transcription of the tRNA, mRNA, and other types of

RNA
4. Biosynthesis of NAD+
Mitochondria
• Evolved from Endosymbiosis Theory

• Function: Production of energy (ATP)

Mitochondria
Some processes occurring within the mitochondria:
• Electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation
• Urea cycle
• Citric acid cycle
• ß oxidation in animal cells
• Ketogenesis
Chloroplasts
• Found only in green plants and green algae.
• Photosynthesis

Other Organelles
1. Endoplasmic reticulum
2. Golgi Complex
3. Vesicular organelles

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
• Network of membrane-
enclosed tubules and
channels in the
cytoplasm.
• It is continuous with the
nuclear membrane.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
Types:
1. Smooth ER – without ribosomes
- site of carbohydrate and lipid synthesis
- helps to detoxify certain compounds
2. Rough ER – coated with ribosomes

- for protein synthesis
Golgi Complex
• Specialized set of
membranes derived
from ER which looks like
a stack of flattened sacs
• For modification, sorting,
and packaging of
proteins and other
materials
Vesicular Organelles
1. Lysosomes
2. Peroxisomes
3. Secretory Vesicles
PLASMA
MEMBRANE
PLASMA MEMBRANE
• General Functions:
1.Selectively isolates the cell’s contents from the external environment.
2.It regulates the exchange of essential substances between the cell’s
contents and the external environment.
3.It communicates with other cells.
FLUID MOSAIC MODEL (S.J. SINGER AND
G.L. NICHOLSON)
PLASMA MEMBRANE: COMPOSITIONS
1. Phospholipid Bilayer
2. Proteins/Glycoproteins
3. Cholesterol
4 Major Biomolecules
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic acid
Carbohydrates
• Carbohydrates are the most abundant

organic molecules in nature.
• Pure carbohydrates contain C, H, and O
atoms
• “Hydrates of carbon”
• Aldehyde or ketone compounds
• with multiple hydroxyl groups
• Monosaccharides
Lipids
• Fats
• Derived from the Greek word lipos
which means “fat”
• Insoluble in water but soluble in
nonpolar solvents
• NOT polymers
• Most contains fatty acids
• Carboxylic group
• Hydrocarbon chain
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Proteins
• The most important of all

biological compounds
• Derived from the Greek word
proteios which means “of first
importance”
• Composed of C, H, O, and N atoms
• Amino acids
• Amine
• Carboxylic acid
Nucleic Acids
• Nucleic acids are molecules that store information
for cellular growth and reproduction
• Contain C, H, O, N, and P atoms
• Two types of nucleic acid: DNA and RNA
• Nucleotides
• Sugar
• Phosphate
• Base
End of Lesson 1
Properties of Water and
Chemical Reactions
in the Cell
Lesson 2
• Chemical Reactions
• pH

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Introduction

At the end of the module, you will be able to:

• deals with the study of the chemical

reactions and processes they

1. To understand the life

1. The structural chemistry of the components of living

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

3. The chemistry of process and

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

1. Plasma membrane 5. Ribosomes

Animal Cell Plant Cell

Three distinct parts:

• portion of the cell enclosed Glycolysis

Major parts of the Cytoplasm:

1. Cytosol – fluid portion of the cytoplasm; some

3. Cytoskeleton - gives shape

3 most important organelles:

3. Transcription of the tRNA, mRNA, and other types of

• Evolved from Endosymbiosis Theory

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

2. Rough ER – coated with ribosomes

• Carbohydrates are the most abundant

• The most important of all

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