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Questions and Answers
Which statement correctly describes the role of enzymes in biological processes?
What is the primary function of hormones in the human body?
What is the correct ratio of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in carbohydrates?
What do the prefixes mono-, di-, oligo-, and poly- refer to in relation to carbohydrates?
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What forms the basis of proteins according to molecular biology?
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Who is known for the discovery of the fermentation process?
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What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the human body?
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Which pioneer worker is associated with the discovery of double-stranded DNA?
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What role does insulin play in the body?
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What significant process is Peter Mitchell known for?
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What is the primary function of proteins in the human body?
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What discovery is associated with Banting and Macleod?
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Which biomolecule serves primarily as a secondary source of energy?
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What does biochemistry primarily study?
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Which of the following best describes the term 'biochemical reactions'?
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Who first introduced the term 'biochemistry'?
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What is considered a key component of biochemistry?
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Which of the following fields does not closely relate to biochemistry?
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What is the primary goal of biochemistry?
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Which of the following represents a significant development in the history of biochemistry?
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What is the significance of organic chemistry in the study of biochemistry?
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Study Notes
What is Biochemistry?
- Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes within and relating to living organisms.
- The term "biochemistry" was introduced by German chemist Carl Neuberg in 1903.
- It uses basic laws of chemistry, biology, and physics to explain processes of living cells.
- Biochemistry focuses on describing life processes at the molecular level.
- Its goal is to understand how molecules interact with each other to create life.
The History of Biochemistry
- Biochemistry emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
- Clinical biochemistry evolved as an independent field in the 1940s.
Pioneers of Biochemistry
- Berzelius: Enzyme catalysis
- Edward Buchner: Enzyme extraction
- Louis Pasteur: Fermentation process
- Lohmann: Role of creatine phosphate in muscles
- Hans Krebs: TCA cycle
- Banting and Macleod: Insulin
- Fiske and Subbarow: Role of ATP
- Watson and Crick: Double-stranded DNA
- Landsteiner: Protein structure
- Peter Mitchell: Oxidative phosphorylation
- Nirenberg: Genetic code on mRNA
- Paul Berg: Recombinant DNA technology
- Kary Mullis: Polymerase chain reaction
- Khorana: Synthesized gene
Elements of Molecular Biology
- Nucleic acids and molecular genetics
- DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis
- Regulation of gene expression
- Recombinant DNA technology
Biomolecules
– Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and hormones are key biomolecules.
- Carbohydrates: Primary source of energy, made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio.
- Lipids: Secondary source of energy, consist of long hydrocarbon chains bound to glycerol.
- Proteins: Building blocks of structure, made from amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.
- Nucleic acids: Genetic material of cells, composed of nucleotides.
- Vitamins: Essential organic compounds that support various functions.
- Minerals: Inorganic elements that contribute to health and structure.
- Enzymes: Biocatalysts that accelerate biochemical reactions.
- Hormones: Chemical messengers that regulate different functions.
Chemical Composition of a Human Body
- A normal man (65 kg) is composed of:
- Water: 60%
- Proteins: 18%
- Lipids: 15%
- Minerals: 5%
- Carbohydrates: 1%
- Other: 1%
Structural Hierarchy of Cells
- The molecular organization of cells follows a hierarchy from simple to complex:
- Monomers: Basic building blocks (glucose, amino acids)
- Macromolecules: Polymers formed from monomers (polysaccharides, proteins)
- Organelles: Compartments within the cell with specific functions
- Cells: Basic unit of life
- Tissues: Groups of similar cells working together
- Organs: Groups of different tissues working together
- Organ systems: Groups of organs working together
- Organism: Complete living being
Cells
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Basic characteristics of cells:
- Plasma membrane: Outer boundary of the cell
- Cytoplasm: Fluid inside the cell
- Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA)
- Ribosomes: Sites of protein synthesis
Important Biomembranes and Organelles
- Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): Network of interconnected membranes involved in protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, and detoxification.
- Golgi apparatus: Processes and packages proteins and lipids for distribution.
- Mitochondria: Powerhouses of the cell, where ATP is generated.
- Lysosomes: Contain enzymes that break down cellular waste.
- Peroxisomes: Involved in detoxification and fatty acid metabolism.
Functional Groups
- Functional groups are specific arrangements of atoms that give molecules their unique properties.
- Hydroxyl group: (-OH) Found in alcohols, sugars, and amino acids.
- Carbonyl group: (C=O) Found in aldehydes and ketones, sugars.
- Carboxyl group: (-COOH) Found in carboxylic acids, amino acids.
- Amino group: (-NH2) Found in amino acids.
- Sulfhydryl group: (-SH) Important in protein structure.
- Phosphate group: (-PO4^2-) Involved in energy transfer.
What is Life Made Of?
- Physical and chemical sciences alone cannot fully explain life.
- However, they provide the essential framework for understanding it.
- Key concepts in biochemistry:
- Biomolecules and their structures.
- Chemical reactions in living organisms.
- Cellular structures and functions.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of biochemistry, a field that examines the chemical processes within living organisms. Learn about its history, key pioneers, and how molecular interactions contribute to life's processes. This quiz will test your knowledge on significant developments and figures in biochemistry.
