Introduction
to
Biochemistry CN 112/L
Prepared by: Rae Ann Feguracion
Reference: General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry
by Janice Gorzynski Smith
Biochemistry
• Sometimes called biological chemistry, is the
study of the chemical processes within, and
relating to living organisms.
• The science concerned with the chemical
constituents of living cells and with the
reactions and processes they under go
• Principal classes of Biomolecules:
o Proteins
o Lipids
o Carbohydrates
o Nucleic Acids
• Do you believe that
drinking soft drinks
after eating fatty foods
can help burn the fats
from such foods?
Can you explain the process of
photosynthesis according to your past
knowledge?
Brief History
1828 Wohler Synthesized the first organic compound, urea from
inorganic compound.
1838 Schleide Enunciated the cell theory
n and
Schwan
n
1854- Louis Proved that microorganisms cause fermentation.
1864 Pasteur
1886 Mendel Reported the principles of segregation and independent
assortment of genes
1869 Miesche Discovered DNA
r
1897 Buckner Discovered alcoholic fermentation in cell-free yeast
extract
1903 Neuberg First used the term biochemistry
1912 Neuberg Proposed chemical pathway for fermentation
1913 Michaeli Developed kinetic theory of enzyme action
s and
Biochemistry
• Biochemistry is the chemistry of living
organisms. In biochemistry, chemical reactions
are studied at the molecular level of
organisms. Living organisms have certain
extraordinary properties and all of these can be
interpreted in chemical terms.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry in our
Daily Lives
• Physicians are faced with biochemistry every day;
all diseases are associated with abnormalities
in biochemistry
• Nutritionists evaluate dietary needs based on
biochemistry
• Impact of human Genome project on
Biochemistry, Biology, and Medicine
• The pharmaceutical industry designs molecules
that mimics or alter the action of biomolecules.
Biochemistry in
exploring Bacteria
Biomolecules
CARBOHYDRATES
• CARBOHYDRATES ARE SUGARS!
• Most common organic molecule
• Function: Primary energy source
our body needs
• Elements: CHO (1:2:1)
• Monomer (building block)
o Monosaccharides (Glucose is most common)
• Polymer (chain of monomer)
o Polysaccharides (starch, glycogen, cellulose,
chitin)
• Examples: Chocolate, Bread,
Pasta, Fruits, Vegetables (All from
plants)
CARBOHYDRATES
Types of
Polysaccharides
• Starch:
o Used for energy storage in plants
o Potatoes, pasta and rice are starches
o They provide a quick energy for the body
• Glycogen
o Used for energy storage in animals
• Cellulose:
o Provides structural support in plants (found in the cell wall)
• Chitin:
o Found in exoskeletons of arthropods (insects, spiders)
o Found in cell wall of some fungi
LIPIDS
• Lipids are fats
• Function: Stores energy insulates your body, and
make up the cell membrane! (Intermittent fasting)
• Elements: C-H-O
• Monomer (Building blocks): glycerol and 3
fatty acids
• Polymer: Phospholipids, triglycerides
• Examples: Steroids, cholesterol, fats, Oils, Nuts,
Waxes, ad make up part of the cell membrane
• Lipids are hydrophobic (water fearing) and do not
dissolve in water
LIPIDS
• Saturated:
o The bonds between all the carbons are
single bonds.
o Solid at room temperature.
o Mainly animal fats
• Unsaturated:
• There is at least one double or triple bond
between carbons present.
• Liquid at room temperature.
• Mainly plant based fats ( olive oil, peanut
oil) as well as oily fish ( Tuna, Sardines)
LIPID STRUCTURE
PROTEINS
• PROTEINS BUILDS US!
• Function:
o Transport molecules in and out of the cell
o Control the speed of chemical reactions
o Used for growth and repair
PROTEINS MAKE UP THE STRUCTURE OF LIVING
THINGS…
HAIR, NAILS, SKIN, BONES, MUSCLE, ETC ARE
BUILT BY PROTEIN!
PROTEINS
• Elements: C-H-O-N
• Monomer (Building Block):
amino acids (20 different
ones!)
• Polymer: proteins (ton)
• Examples of proteins:
hemoglobin in red blood cells,
albumin in eggs, enzymes
that control reactions in the
body, and antibodies
• Found in: fish, eggs, meet
NUCLEIC ACIDS
• This biomolecules are not
necessarily from food
• Function:
o Provide our genetic information
o Holds the instructions to make
proteins
• Elements: C-H-O-N-P
• Monomer: nucleotides
o A nucleotide is made up of sugar,
phosphate, and nitrogen base
• Polymer: DNA, RNA, and
ATP
Biochemistry and
Psychology
• Understanding biological nature of
behavior
o Discussions about neurotransmitters. “If we smile, our brain
releases small molecules and these molecules helps to fight
against stress. Some of the other neurotransmitters come into
play like Dopamine, Serotonin, Acetylcholine, and Oxytocin.
Too much or too little neurotransmitter (Rani, 2024)
• Explanation for the existence of
psychological disorders
o Example: Gestational diabetes mellitus was associated with a
higher risk of speech/language disorder (Liu, Zhu, Seamans,
Nianogi, Janzen, Fei, and Chen, 2024)
References
• Smith, J. G. (2019). General, Organic, and
Biological Chemistry. McGraw-Hill Education, 2
Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121.
• Matibag, K. (2022). BIOCHEMISTRY MODULE
1_Introduction to Biochemistry [Video]. Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=SK4dE716H2I&t=1098s
