Biochemistry Module 1 Quiz

Course Information

• Course title: Biochemistry
• Course code: CHY1003
• Course type: LTP
• Module No. 1
• Instructor: Dr. N. Vignesh
• Employee ID: 100589
• Department: School of Biosciences Engineering and Technology
• Semester: Winter 2025-26

Course Objectives

• Learn basic principles of structural and functional properties of biomolecules in living organisms
• Understand chemical phenomena in biological systems
• Analyze diseases and disorders involving biomolecules

Course Outcomes

• Understand the structure, properties, and functions of biomolecules (amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids)
• Understand the chemical basis of biological phenomena and basic metabolic pathways
• Analyze physiological conditions influencing biomolecule structures and functions
• Appreciate the importance of biological chemistry in healthcare and medicine
• Apply biochemistry concepts in biomedical or biochemical engineering fields

Textbooks and References

• Principles of Biochemistry by Lehninger, A, Butterworth Publishers, New York
• Biochemistry by Stryer L, W.H.Freeman and Company
• Harpers Illustrated Biochemistry, McGraw-Hill Education
• BIOCHEMICAL CALCULATIONS. How to Solve Mathematical Problems in General Biochemistry, Irwin H. Segel, Wiley New York
• Biochemistry by Voet &Voet, Wiley New York
• Biochemistry by Nelson and Cox, Palgrave Macmilan, Freeman Edn.
• Fundamentals of Biochemistry by Dr.J.L.Jain, Sunjay Jain and Nitin Jain, S.Chand Publishers

Origin of the Universe and Life

• 15-20 billion years ago, the universe arose from a hot, energy-rich eruption of subatomic particles
• Hydrogen and helium formed initially
• Material condensed due to gravity, forming stars
• Supernovae released energy to fuse simpler elements into more complex ones
• After billions of years, Earth and its elements formed

Origin of Life

• 4 billion years ago, life emerged on Earth
• Simple microorganisms extracted energy from organic compounds or sunlight
• These organisms created complex biomolecules from simple elements/compounds

Origin of Life Timeline

• Oceans formed
• Prebiotic Epoch
• Pre-RNA World
• RNA World
• DNA/Protein World
• Diversification for Eukaryotes occurred (Plants, Animals, Fungi)
• First evidence of life was found 3.5 Billion years ago

Distinguishing Features of Biotic Phase

• High degree of chemical complexity and microscopic organization
• Systems for extracting, transforming, and using energy from the environment
• Capacity for precise self-replication and self-assembly
• Mechanisms for sensing and responding to changes in their surroundings
• Defined functions for components and regulated interactions
• History of evolutionary change

Cell Structure and Function

• Biochemistry describes molecular structures, mechanisms, and chemical processes common to all living organisms
• Unity and diversity of organisms apparent even at the cellular level
• Single-celled organisms are microscopic; multicellular organisms contain various cell types with varying sizes, shapes, and functions

Cell Size Limits

• The lower limit of cell size is determined by the minimum number of each biomolecule required by the cell
• The upper limit of cell size is determined by the rate of diffusion of solute molecules in aqueous systems

Domains of Life

• Eubacteria: Purple bacteria, Cyanobacteria, Flavobacteria, Thermotoga, Extreme halophiles, Methanogens, Extreme thermophiles
• Archaebacteria
• Eukaryotes: Animals, Ciliates, Fungi, Plants, Flagellates, Microsporidia
• Eubacteria inhabit soils, surface waters, and other living or decaying organisms
• Archaebacterial are more characterized in extreme environments like salt lakes, hot springs, acidic bogs, and ocean depths.

E. coli Cytoplasm

• Contains about 15,000 ribosomes
• Thousands of copies of 1,000 different enzymes
• Numerous metabolites and cofactors
• Variety of inorganic ions

Eukaryotic Cells

• Characterized by the nucleus and various membrane-bound organelles with specific functions (mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes, lysosomes).

Cell Fractionation Techniques

• Differential centrifugation: Separating cellular components based on size and density
• Isopycnic (sucrose-density) centrifugation: Separating components based on density differences in a density gradient

Cytoskeletal Components

• Composed of simple protein subunits
• Polymerize into filaments of uniform thickness
• Undergo constant disassembly and reassembly

Cells Build Supramolecular Structures

• Cells build supramolecular structures from monomeric units
• Macromolecules are assembled into larger complexes

Molecular Components of E. coli

• Key components (Water, Proteins, Nucleic acids, DNA, RNA, Polysaccharides, Lipids, Monomeric subunits, and intermediates, Inorganic ions)
• Approximate percentages of total cell weight

Geometric Isomers

• Maleic acid (cis) and fumaric acid (trans) are geometric isomers that cannot interconvert without breaking covalent bonds

Stereoisomers

• Carbon-containing compounds commonly exist as stereoisomers
• These molecules have the same chemical bonds but differ in stereochemistry

Chiral Centers

• A carbon atom with four different substituents is a chiral center
• Compounds with multiple chiral centers are typically classified using the R/S system

Enantiomers and Diastereomers

• Enantiomers are mirror images of each other
• Diastereomers are non-mirror images

Amino Acids and Sugars

• Amino acids in proteins exist only in their L isomers
• Glucose exists only as its D isomer

Function Groups

• Methyl, Ethyl, Phenyl, Carbonyl, Hydroxyl, Ether, Amido, Amino, Imidazole, Guanidino, Sulhydryl, Disulfide, Thioester, Phosphoryl

Summary of Functional Groups and Biomolecules

• These components define unique properties of biomolecules in living beings