Major Discoveries in Biochemistry

Major Discoveries in Biochemistry

• Identification of enzymes as biological catalysts revolutionized understanding of biochemical reactions.
• Discovery of ATP as the primary energy carrier in living organisms crucial for cellular processes.
• Major metabolic pathways describe how cells harvest energy and synthesize cellular components.
• Development of isolation and purification techniques advanced biochemical research.
• Centrifugation method allows separation of subcellular structures and macromolecules based on size, shape, or density.
• The ultracentrifuge, designed by Theodor Svedberg, operates at speeds over 100,000 RPM, generating forces exceeding 500,000 times gravity.
• Chromatography separates mixtures of molecules into individual components; various techniques fall under this term.
• Electrophoresis uses electrical fields to separate macromolecules through a semisolid gel according to their mobility.

The Genetic Strand: Information Flow

• Gregor Mendel's experiments with pea plants established the principles of gene segregation and independent assortment.
• Walther Flemming discovered chromosomes in 1880, naming their division process mitosis, which means "thread" in Greek.
• Chromosome number is a species-specific characteristic, remaining constant across generations.
• The chromosome theory of heredity connects inheritance of traits to genes located on chromosomes.
• Genes are specific DNA sequences that direct protein synthesis; DNA consists of a double helix structure with complementary strands.
• Genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein, although reverse transcription is an exception.
• Gene expression requires mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA for protein production.
• Recombinant DNA technology emerged in the 1970s enabled by discovery of restriction enzymes that cleave specific DNA sequences.
• DNA cloning produces multiple copies of specific DNA sequences for analysis and manipulation.
• DNA transformation introduces DNA into cells for experimental purposes.
• DNA sequencing methods allow rapid determination of base sequences, applicable to both individual genes and entire genomes.

Bioinformatics and Omics

• The rise of DNA sequencing generated vast data, leading to the creation of bioinformatics, which combines computer science with biology.
• Bioinformatics enables simultaneous comparison and analysis of thousands of genes, revolutionizing genomic and proteomic research.
• CRISPR genome editing allows precise alterations in genomic sequences utilizing naturally occurring DNA sequences in prokaryotes.

Model Systems in Cellular Studies

• Cell and tissue cultures enable the growth of various cells in laboratory settings outside their origins, such as skin and cancer cells.
• HeLa cells, derived from Henrietta Lacks' cervical cancer tissue in 1951, continue to be vital for cancer and virus research.
• Model organisms, like E. coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Drosophila melanogaster, are commonly used for experimental studies due to ease of manipulation.
• C. elegans serves as a model for studying cell differentiation and development in multicellular organisms.
• The common laboratory mouse (Mus musculus) is the primary model organism for mammalian cellular and physiological research.

This quiz explores key milestones in biochemistry, including the identification of enzymes, the role of ATP in energy transfer, and the major metabolic pathways within cells. Additionally, it covers the development of techniques for analyzing cellular components, highlighting the importance of centrifugation. Test your knowledge on these fundamental concepts of biochemistry!