Overview of Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes and substances in living organisms.
It combines principles of biology and chemistry to understand the molecular mechanisms of life.

Proteins
- Made up of amino acids; essential for structure, function, and regulation of the body's cells and tissues.
- Enzymes are a type of protein that catalyze biochemical reactions.
Nucleic Acids
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): Carries genetic information.
- RNA (ribonucleic acid): Involved in protein synthesis and gene expression.
Carbohydrates
- Sugars and starches; serve as energy sources and structural components.
- Monosaccharides (e.g., glucose), disaccharides (e.g., sucrose), polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose, glycogen).
Lipids
- Fats, oils, and phospholipids; important for cell membranes and energy storage.
- Triglycerides, steroids, and waxes are common lipid types.

Catabolism: Breakdown of molecules to release energy (e.g., glycolysis, Krebs cycle).
Anabolism: Synthesis of larger molecules from smaller units, requiring energy (e.g., protein synthesis).

Enzymes lower the activation energy required for reactions, increasing reaction rates.
Factors affecting enzyme activity include temperature, pH, and substrate concentration.

Cell Membrane: Phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins; regulates transport and communication.
Organelles: Structures within cells (e.g., mitochondria for energy production, ribosomes for protein synthesis).

Chemical signals (hormones, neurotransmitters) trigger specific cellular responses.
Signal transduction involves receptors and secondary messengers (e.g., cAMP).

Genetic code translates DNA sequences into proteins through transcription (DNA to RNA) and translation (RNA to protein).
Mutations can alter protein function and lead to diseases.

Chromatography: Separates components of mixtures.
Electrophoresis: Separates nucleic acids or proteins based on size and charge.
Spectroscopy: Analyzes the composition of substances.

Medicine: Drug development, genetic engineering, diagnostics.
Agriculture: Biotechnology in crop improvement and pest resistance.
Environmental Science: Bioremediation and studying metabolic pathways in ecosystems.

Biochemistry focuses on chemical processes and substances in living organisms, merging biology and chemistry.
Understanding molecular mechanisms is crucial for grasping how life functions.

Proteins:
- Composed of amino acids; vital for cellular structure, function, and regulation.
- Enzymes, a subset of proteins, catalyze biochemical reactions, enhancing reaction rates.
Nucleic Acids:
- DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): Holds genetic information, critical for heredity.
- RNA (ribonucleic acid): Plays a key role in protein synthesis and gene expression processes.
Carbohydrates:
- Consists of sugars and starches that serve as energy sources and structural elements.
- Variants include monosaccharides (e.g., glucose), disaccharides (e.g., sucrose), and polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose, glycogen).
Lipids:
- Comprises fats, oils, and phospholipids essential for cell membrane structure and energy storage.
- Includes triglycerides, steroids, and waxes, which serve various biological functions.

Catabolism: Involves the breakdown of molecules to release energy, exemplified by glycolysis and the Krebs cycle.
Anabolism: Refers to the synthesis of larger molecules from smaller ones, which requires energy, such as in protein synthesis.

Enzymes catalyze reactions by lowering activation energy, thereby accelerating reaction rates.
Activity of enzymes is influenced by factors like temperature, pH, and substrate concentration, which can modulate their efficiency.

Cell Membrane: A phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins, crucial for regulating transportation and intercellular communication.
Organelles: Specialized structures in cells, such as mitochondria (energy production) and ribosomes (protein synthesis).

Chemical signals, including hormones and neurotransmitters, initiate specific cellular responses.
Signal transduction relies on receptors and secondary messengers like cAMP to propagate signals within cells.

The genetic code facilitates the translation of DNA sequences into proteins via transcription (DNA to RNA) and translation (RNA to protein).
Mutations in DNA can modify protein function, potentially leading to various diseases.

Chromatography: Utilized for separating components within mixtures for analysis.
Electrophoresis: Separates nucleic acids or proteins according to size and charge.
Spectroscopy: Examines the composition and structure of substances through interaction with light.

Medicine: Involves drug development, advances in genetic engineering, and diagnostic testing.
Agriculture: Biotechnology enhances crop traits and resistance to pests.
Environmental Science: Engages in bioremediation efforts and explores metabolic pathways in ecological systems.