Introduction to Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of living organisms, exploring the chemical processes that underlie life.

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur are essential for human life and make up a majority of our body weight.

These 13 elements are crucial for life, with the first six being major elements and the remaining seven being minor elements.

Macromolecules are large complex molecules formed from smaller units called monomers. They are essential components of living organisms.

Proteins are polymers made from amino acids, with diverse functions like structural support, enzymes, and hormones.

Lipids are diverse molecules composed of fatty acids, playing roles in energy storage, cell membranes, and hormones.

Carbohydrates are polymers formed from monosaccharides (simple sugars) with functions in energy storage and structural support.

Nucleic acids (like DNA and RNA) are polymers composed of nucleotides, carrying genetic information and facilitating protein synthesis.

Condensation is a chemical reaction where monomers (building blocks) join together to form polymers, releasing a water molecule.

Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction that breaks down polymers into monomers by adding a water molecule.

Water makes up a significant portion of living organisms, playing crucial roles in many biological processes.

A polar molecule has uneven electrical charges, creating a partial positive and partial negative end, like water.

Hydrogen bonding occurs when a hydrogen atom is attracted to a highly electronegative atom, like oxygen in water.

Liquid water's temperature range from 0 to 100 ºC is crucial for life, allowing for various biochemical reactions.

Water's solvent properties allow it to dissolve many substances, facilitating chemical reactions within cells.

Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions that occur in an organism, involving both building up and breaking down molecules.

Anabolism is the process where smaller molecules are combined to build larger molecules, requiring energy input.

Catabolism is the process of breaking down complex molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy in the process.

ATP is the primary energy currency of cells, providing energy for various cellular processes.

ATP synthesis is the process of creating ATP, using energy from the breakdown of food molecules.

Substrate-level phosphorylation directly generates ATP during specific metabolic pathways, without electron transport chains.

Oxidative phosphorylation uses electron transport chains within mitochondria to generate ATP, requiring oxygen.

NADH and FADH2 are electron carriers that donate electrons to the electron transport chain, contributing to ATP production.

The respiratory chain, located within mitochondria, couples oxygen with ATP synthesis, producing water as a byproduct.

Mitochondria, often called the 'powerhouses of the cell', are essential for ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation.