STB1073 Biochemistry Quiz

Non-Protein Amino Acids

• Involved as metabolic intermediates, such as in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid.

Nucleic Acids

• Composed of nucleotides.

Major Types of Biochemical Reactions

• Oxidation: loss of electrons.
• Reduction: gain of electrons.
• Hydrolysis: chemical process in which a molecule is cleaved into two parts by the addition of a water molecule.
• Phosphorolysis: splitting of a bond by the addition of phosphoric acid to a compound.
• Decarboxylation: loss of carbon dioxide.
• Deamination: removal of amino group.
• Transamination: transfer of amino group from one molecule to another.

Metabolic Pathways of Biochemistry

• Carbohydrate Metabolism:
  • Glycolysis
  • Krebs Cycle
  • Glycogen Biosynthesis
  • Galactose Pathway
  • Calvin Cycle

Glycolysis

• Metabolic pathway that converts glucose to pyruvate, releasing free energy in the form of ATP and NADH.

Krebs Cycle

• Metabolic pathway involved in the chemical conversion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into carbon dioxide and water to generate energy.

Glycogen Biosynthesis

• Glycogen is a polysaccharide that functions as the secondary long-term and mobile energy storage in animal and fungal cells.

Galactose Metabolism

• The conversion of galactose into glucose, lactose, and other sugar intermediates.

Modern Biotechnology: Multidisciplinary Input

• Biotechnology is multidisciplinary, involving a number of disciplines that are coordinated for a desired outcome.
• Areas of science involved:
  • Life sciences
  • Physical sciences and mathematics
  • Social sciences
  • Applied sciences
• Areas of applied science involved:
  • Computer applications
  • Engineering
  • Agriculture

Biochemistry

• The study of the chemical substances and vital processes occurring in living organisms.
• Biochemical pathways, enzymes, and macromolecules are involved.

Living Organisms

• Able to transform matter and energy into different forms, show response to changes in their environment, and show growth and reproduction.
• All living organisms undergo changes due to large organic compounds called macromolecules.

Hydrophobic, Hydrophilic, and Amphipathic Groups

• Hydrophobic groups: cannot form hydrogen bonds with water (e.g., hydrocarbons).
• Hydrophilic groups: are attracted to the charges within water and can form hydrogen bonds with water.
• Amphipathic groups: have both polar and non-polar groups (e.g., hydrocarbon chain is non-polar and carboxyl group is polar).

Biochemical Compounds (Macromolecules)

• There are four main classes of macromolecules:
  • Carbohydrates
  • Lipids
  • Proteins
  • Nucleic acids

Carbohydrates

• Sugar units are connected together by glycosidic bonds.

Lipids

• Insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
• Classes of lipids:
  • Fatty acids: carboxylic acids with long hydrocarbon chains.
  • Triglycerides: an ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids.
  • Phospholipids: major component of cell membranes that form lipid bilayers.
  • Steroids: organic compounds that can be found in all organisms.

Proteins

• Amino acids are the structural units that make up proteins.

Amino Acids

• Molecules containing an amine group, a carboxylic acid group, and a side chain that varies between different amino acids.
• Many amino acids are used to synthesize other molecules, such as:
  • Tryptophan: precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
  • Glycine: precursor of porphyrins such as heme.
  • Arginine: precursor of nitric oxide.
  • Aspartate, glycine, and glutamine: precursors of nucleotides.