Biochemistry Cell Basics

Biochemistry Cell

• Cells are the fundamental units of life, carrying out various functions essential for organism survival.
• They exhibit compartmentalization, with specific structures (organelles) performing specialized tasks.
• Cells acquire nutrients, synthesize molecules, and eliminate waste. Cellular processes are regulated and interconnected.
• Cells undergo growth, division, and differentiation to form complex tissues and organs.

Elements/Matter

• Matter is composed of elements, the simplest forms of substance.
• Primary elements in biological systems include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur (CHONPS).
• These elements form the building blocks of organic molecules.
• Trace elements, present in smaller quantities, also fulfill crucial roles.

Water

• Water is the most abundant molecule in living organisms.
• Its unique properties (polarity, high specific heat, cohesion) are vital for life processes.
• Water serves as a solvent and a reactant/product in various biochemical reactions.
• Its high specific heat capacity moderates temperature fluctuations within organisms. The high heat of vaporization contributes to cooling.

Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (CHO).
• They are primary energy sources and structural components.
• Monosaccharides, like glucose and fructose, are the simplest units.
• Disaccharides (e.g., sucrose) and polysaccharides (e.g., starch, glycogen, cellulose) are formed through dehydration reactions.

Lipids

• Lipids are primarily composed of carbon and hydrogen with less oxygen.
• They are hydrophobic, insoluble in water.
• Lipids store energy, form cell membranes (phospholipids), and act as hormones.
• Types include triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.

Amino Acids and Proteins

• Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
• Twenty different amino acids exist, linked via peptide bonds to form polypeptide chains.
• Protein structure is hierarchical: primary (sequence), secondary (α-helices and β-sheets), tertiary (overall 3D shape), and quaternary (multiple polypeptide interactions).
• Protein functions are diverse and include catalysis, transport, structure, and defense.

Chromatin Organisation

• Chromatin is the complex of DNA and proteins within the eukaryotic nucleus.
• It is highly organized, condensing DNA into a compact form.
• DNA supercoils around histone proteins to form nucleosomes. Nucleosomes are further organized into higher-order structures.
• This organization is essential for DNA replication, repair, and gene expression.

Glycolysis

• Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose into pyruvate.
• This process occurs in the cytoplasm and does not require oxygen.
• It results in a net gain of two ATP molecules and two NADH molecules.
• Pyruvate is then further processed in aerobic respiration (Krebs cycle or mitochondrial respiration) or anaerobic respiration (fermentation).

Krebs Cycle

• The Krebs cycle (Citric Acid Cycle) is a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
• It takes place in the mitochondrial matrix in aerobic organisms.
• It uses acetyl CoA derived from pyruvate to produce ATP, NADH, FADH2, and CO2.
• The Krebs cycle is central to cellular respiration and energy production within the cell.

Explore the essential functions and structures of cells in biochemistry. This quiz covers the fundamental roles of cells, the significance of elements in biological systems, and the properties of water that support life. Test your knowledge on how these components interact to maintain the processes of life.