Lecture 2: Introduction to Biochemistry

Introduction to Biochemistry  Biochemistry Bio-Chemistry combines biology and chemistry to study living matter. ❑i.e. is the chemistry of living organisms. Studies the chemical substances and processes that occur in plants, animals, and microorganisms. The investigation o...

Introduction to Biochemistry  Biochemistry Bio-Chemistry combines biology and chemistry to study living matter. ❑i.e. is the chemistry of living organisms. Studies the chemical substances and processes that occur in plants, animals, and microorganisms. The investigation of chemical changes in disease, drug action, and other aspects in medicine, nutrition, genetics, and agriculture. The molecules necessary for life processes including: Organic (macromolecules: protein, fat, DNA, and carbohydrate). Inorganic (water, phosphate, carbon dioxide).  Biochemistry Bio-Chemistry combines biology and chemistry to study living matter. ❑i.e. is the chemistry of living organisms. ✓Organic and Inorganic Studies the chemical substances and processes that occur in plants, animals, and ✓Macromolecules microorganisms. The investigation of chemical changes in disease, drug action, and other aspects in medicine, nutrition, genetics, and agriculture. The molecules necessary for life processes including: Organic (macromolecules: protein, fat, DNA, and carbohydrate). Inorganic (water, phosphate, carbon dioxide).  Organic & Inorganic ▪ Organic molecules contain carbon (exceptfor CO2). ▪ Carbon can form 4 strong covalent bonds with up to 4 other atoms. ▪ Organic compounds essentially have C and H hydrogen atoms (hydrocarbons).  Silane Methane ✓ Silane is an inorganic compound ✓ Methane is an organic compound. Functional Group Molecules differ in their structures and functions, because of different functional groups. A functional group is a small group of atoms that is part of a larger molecule and gives it specific properties.  Macromolecules ❑Major classes of biological molecules. ❑Important for all living things. ✓ It includes: Carbohydrates Lipids Nucleic acids. Proteins  Carbohydrates ▪ Polysaccharides (large carbohydrates) are polymers of monosaccharides ▪ Carbohydrates are compounds made of C, H, and O Examples: all sugars, starches, cellulose and glycogen. ▪ Function of Carbohydrates: energy storage and structures.  Lipids ▪ Lipids are built from fatty acids and glycerol. ▪ Lipids are compounds made of C, H, and O. Example: fats, oils, hormones, and vitamins and hormones. ▪ Function of lipids: energy storage cell membrane structure.  Nucleic acid ▪ Nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides ▪ Nucleic acids are compounds made of C, H,O, N and P. Example: DNA and RNA. ▪ Function of Nucleic acids: the storage and expression of genomic information.  Protein ▪ Proteins are polypeptides and polymers of amino acids. ▪ Everything that organisms are composed of is protein?! ✓Example: enzymes, haemoglobin, antibodies, and collagen. ▪ Function of proteins: biological catalysts, defence, transport, support, and regulation. Macromolecules and Biomedical engineering Macromolecules can be modified for potential therapeutic and pharmaceutical applications as: 1. Drug delivery: antidiabetic anti-cancer. 2. Vaccines: covid-19 3. Gene therapy: by replacing the function of an abnormal gene 4. Carbohydrate-based therapeutics are used in cardiovascular and haematological treatments (Heparin as anti-coagulant).