PHM 10202 Biochemistry Quiz

Course Information

• Course title: PHM 10202 Biochemistry
• Lecturer: Dr. Norsyafikah Asyilla Nordin
• University: UniSZA (Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin)

Course Assessment Plan

• Continuous Assessment (CONASS): 40%
  • Test (Multiple Choice Questions, MCQ): 10%
  • Test (Sequential Questions, SEQ): 10%
  • Lab Report: 20%
• Final Assessment (FINASS): 60%
  • Final Exam: 60%

Course Schedule

• Week 1 (10/10/24): Introduction to biochemistry components (Lecture 1)
• Week 2 (17/10/24): Water as a universal solvent (Lecture 2)
• Week 2 (23/10/24): Enzymes (Lecture 3)
• Week 3 (24/10/24): Practical 1 - Enzyme kinetics
• Week 3 (30/10/24): Practical 2 - Total protein determination
• Week 3 (31/10/24): Deepawali Public Holiday
• Week 4 (6/11/24): Practical 3 - Quantitative analysis of carbohydrate
• Week 5 (7/11/24): Lecture 4 - Protein (Part 1)
• Week 5 (13/11/24): Practical 4 - Quantitative analysis of lipid
• Week 5 (14/11/24): Lecture 4 - Protein (Part 2)
• Week 6 (20/11/24): Test 1 - Dr. Asyilla
• Week 7 (21/11/24): Lecture 5 - Membrane transport
• Week 8 (5/12/24): Lecture 6 - Carbohydrate (Part 1) - Mid Semester Break (24/11 - 30/11/2024)
• Week 9 (12/12/24): Lecture 6 - Carbohydrate (Part 2)
• Week 10 (19/12/24): Lecture 7 - Lipid (Part 1)
• Week 11 (26/12/24): Lecture 7 - Lipid (Part 2)
• Week 11 to 12 (2/1/25 - 9/1/25): Lecture 8 - Metabolism and drug delivery, Test 2 - Dr. Nasyriq
• Week 12 (16/1/25): KeLIP Activity; Study Week (17 - 26/1/25); Final Examination (2/2 - 20/2/25)

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the principle of biochemistry
• Describe the development of biochemistry
• Discuss the function of organelles in cells
• Discuss the classes and functions of biomolecules
• Explain the importance of biochemistry in daily life

Biochemistry Basics

• Biochemistry: Special branch of chemistry dealing with chemical compounds in living organisms
• Study of life on a molecular level
• Chemistry of living cells
• Biochemistry = chemistry of life

Why Study Biochemistry?

• Fundamental understanding of life
• Understanding important issues in medicine, health, and nutrition
• Greater molecular understanding of diseases (diabetes, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis)
• Advanced biotechnology industries

Biochemistry Structure,Organization & Function

• To understand life on a molecular level
• Knowledge of chemical structures of biological molecules
• Understanding the biological function of molecules
• Understanding of bioenergetics - the study of energy flow in cells

History of Biochemistry

• Carl Alexander Neuberg (July 1877–May 1956): An early pioneer, father of modern biochemistry; gained international recognition through elucidation of biochemical reactions of alcoholic fermentation

Notable Breakthroughs

• Discovery of enzymes as catalysts
• Identification of nucleic acids as information molecules

Historic Events

• 1937 - Krebs won Nobel Prize in Physiology for discovering the Citric Acid Cycle
• 1953 - Watson and Crick won Nobel Prize in Physiology for discovering the DNA double Helix

Cells

• Basic building blocks of life
• Smallest living unit
• Can be an entire organism (unicellular) or part of a larger organism (multicellular)
• Grow, reproduce, use energy, adapt, respond to their environment

Prokaryotes

• Unicellular
• Generally have one cellular membrane
• The interior is known as the cytoplasm

Eukaryotes

• Multicellular
• Organelles: Specialized cellular parts with specific functions

Organelles (details on specific organelles are on later pages)

Biomolecules

• H, O, C, and N make up 99+% of atoms in the human body
• These elements are the backbone of biomolecules because of their ability to form strong covalent bonds
• Chemical reactions inside cells are the same as those outside.

Biomolecules are Carbon Compounds

• Carbon atoms can form single, double, and triple bonds
• A single carbon atom can form single bonds with up to four other carbon atoms
• Covalently linked carbon atoms form linear chains, branched chains, and cyclic structures.
• Functional groups are groups of other atoms attached to the carbon backbone. These groups define the chemical properties and diversity of biomolecules.

Types of Biomolecules

• Small molecules: lipids, phospholipids, glycolipids, sterols, vitamins, hormones, neurotransmitters, carbohydrates, sugars
• Monomers: amino acids, nucleotides, monosaccharides
• Polymers: peptides, polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids (RNA, DNA), oligosaccharides, polysaccharides

How Monomers Form Polymers

• Condensation reactions (dehydration synthesis): A water molecule is removed to join two monomers.

Major Classes of Biomolecules

• Carbohydrates: composed of C, H and O; sugars; serve energy, structural, communication, and adhesion functions; crucial in defending and removing foreign materials
• Proteins: composed of amino acids; vital in structures (hair, muscle, nails, cell components), cell transport, biological catalysts (enzymes), and hormones
• Lipids: a diverse group including fats, oils, waxes, and steroid hormones; do not dissolve in water; crucial for forming biological membranes; storing energy; and for protection.

Nucleic Acids

• Store information for building cells; composed of nucleotides (A, C, G, T, U)
• DNA: double helix structure; storage form of genetic information in the nucleus.
• RNA: typically single-stranded; working form of information made in the nucleus and exported to the cytoplasm.

Importance in Pharmacy

• Drug Constitution (degradation with temperature changes, modifications for efficiency, minimizing side effects)
• Half-life and Drug storage (drug stability at diverse temperatures)
• Drug metabolism(how drug molecules are metabolized by enzymes)

Importance in Medicine

• Physiology (understanding biochemical changes and physiological alterations in the body)
• Pathology (identifying biochemical changes associated with disorders)
• Nutrition deficiency (describing function and role of vitamins)
• Hormonal deficiency(understanding hormone formation and role in body function)

Importance in Nutrition

• Food chemistry (information on components like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, etc.)
• Role of nutrients (importance of vitamins, and minerals, essential fatty acids, and dietary practices)
• Prescribing food usage limitation (considering various conditions)

Importance in Plants

• Photosynthesis (describing carbohydrate synthesis using sunlight, CO2, and water)
• Respiration (plants releasing O2 and absorbing CO2; energy production)
• Plant secondary metabolites (discussing compounds like gums, tannins, alkaloids, resins, enzymes, and phytohormones)
• Other functions (describing fruit ripening, seed germination, and other plant processes)