Untitled Quiz

Introduction To Medical Biochemistry and Protein Chemistry

• Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes in living organisms.
• Living organisms contain a wide range of molecules, both simple and complex, including proteins, DNA, RNA, carbohydrates, and lipids.
• Biochemistry investigates the function, interaction, synthesis, and degradation of these molecules within living cells.
• Living organisms can extract, store and use energy.

Principle Areas Of Biochemistry

• Structure and function of biological macromolecules.
• Metabolism:
  • Anabolic processes: building up molecules
  • Catabolic processes: breaking down molecules
• Molecular Biology:
  • How life is replicated
  • How protein synthesis is regulated

Role Of Biochemistry In Medicine

• Biochemistry helps understand the chemical processes involved in various diseases.
• It aids in the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases.
• It is a guide for discovering and applying therapies for diseases.
• In nutrition, biochemical tests determine the nutritional value of food.
• Maintaining health requires optimal intake of essential chemicals such as vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Nutritional imbalances lead to diseases.

Biomolecules

• The human body is composed of major elements (C, H, N, O, P, S), which are the primary components of important biomolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and lipids.
• Less abundant elements include Na, Mg, K, Ca, and Cl.
• Trace elements are present in smaller amounts, such as Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn.
• Water constitutes 60% of the body.
• The remaining components include proteins (17%), fat (14%), carbohydrates (1.5%), and minerals (6%).
• Large biomolecules are polymers, formed from monomers.

Types Of Cells

• Living cells are categorized into prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
• Prokaryotes:
  • Also known as 'before nucleus'
  • Single-celled organisms like bacteria.
  • Lack a nucleus and other organelles.
  • Have only a plasma membrane.
• Eukaryotes:
  • Also known as 'true nucleus'
  • Have a well-defined nucleus with a nuclear membrane.
  • Can be single-celled, like yeasts, or multicellular, like animals and plants.

Prokaryote Cell

• Simplest cell type.
• Lack organelles.
• No nucleus.
• No membrane-bound organelles.
• DNA is not complexed with histones.

Eukaryote Cell

• More complex cell type.
• Contain organelles.
• Have a nucleus.
• More DNA.
• DNA is folded and contains histones.

Differences Between Prokaryotes & Eukaryotes

Summary Of Cell Organelles And Their Functions

Where Can We Find Proteins? Chemical Structure Of Proteins

• Proteins are the abundant macromolecules in living cells.
• All proteins contain the elements carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N).
• Most proteins contain about 1% sulfur.
• Some specialized proteins contain phosphorus, like those found in milk.

Amino Acids

• Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
• They contain both an amino group and a carboxyl group.
• Alpha (α)-amino acids have the amino group on the carbon adjacent to the carboxyl group.
• All proteins are made up of a long chain of amino acids connected by peptide bonds and other bonds, forming a polypeptide chain.
• Proteins can consist of one or more polypeptide chains.
• All proteins, in all species, are formed from the same set of 20 amino acids.

Protein Nomenclature

• Peptides have 2-50 amino acids.
• Proteins have more than 50 amino acids.
• Amino acids are represented by three letter codes:
  • Met-Gly-Glu-Thr-Arg-His
• Amino acids are represented by single letter codes:
  • MGETRH

Types and Functions of Proteins