Introduction to Biochemistry
Prof. Dr. Shehata El Sewedy
Dr. Tarek El Sewedy
Dr. Hewida Fadel
Student Assessment
 Midterm Exam
 Assignment
 Attendance
 Practical Exam (25 Marks)
 Final Exam (50 Marks)
Intended Learning Outcomes
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By the end of this lecture, students will
have a general overview on the contents
of Biochemistry course.
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As well as some basics of Biochemistry
 Biochemistry can be defined as the science concerned
with the chemical basis of life (Greek bios “life”).
 Since cells are the structural units of living systems. Thus,
biochemistry can also be described as the science concerned
with the chemical constituents of living cells and with the
reactions and they undergo.
 Because life depends on biochemical reactions, biochemistry
has become the basic language of all biologic sciences.
 Biochemistry was launched by German chemist Carl
Alexander Neuberg (father of Biochemistry) in 1903
The Aim of Biochemistry
 The major aim of biochemistry is the complete
understanding, at the molecular level, of all of the
chemical processes associated with living cells.
 To achieve this objective, biochemists have sought to
isolate the numerous molecules found in cells, determine
their structures, and analyze how they function.
Starting materials: elements of life
 Around 25 of the 94 naturally occurring chemical elements
are essential to various kinds of biological life.
 Just six elements— carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen,
calcium, and phosphorus—make up almost 99% of the mass
of a human cells.
 Life on earth depends on the chemical element carbon, which
is present in every living thing.
 Biochemistry is concerned with the entire spectrum
of life forms, from relatively simple viruses and bacteria
to complex human beings.
 A sound knowledge of biochemistry and of other
related basic disciplines is essential for the rational
practice of medical and related health sciences.
 Perhaps All Disease Has a Biochemical Basis.
 Knowledge of the biochemical molecules shown in the top part of the
diagram has clarified our understanding of the diseases shown in the
bottom half—and conversely, analyses of the diseases shown below
have cast light on many areas of biochemistry
Examples of the two-way street connecting biochemistry and medicine
Biomolecules of life
 There are 4 classes of biomolecules to be studied in this
biochemistry course:
1.
Carbohydrates
2.
Proteins.
3.
Lipids
4.
Nucleic acids
 Biomolecules are polymers: in this terminology, monomers are
relatively small micromolecules that are linked together to create
large macromolecules, which are known as polymers.
1. Carbohydrates
 Carbohydrates are made from monomers called
monosaccharides. Some of these monosaccharides include
glucose (C6H12O6), fructose (C6H12O6), and deoxyribose
(C5H10O4)
 Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for living
organisms and are made of carbon, hydrogen,
and oxygen.
 Chlorophyll in plants absorbs light energy from the sun.
This energy is used in the process of photosynthesis,
which allows green plants to take in carbon dioxide and
release oxygen and allows for the production of
carbohydrates.
 Plants transform carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the air,
water (H 2 O) from the ground, and energy from the sun
into oxygen (O 2 ) and carbohydrates.
 Humans and other animals obtain carbohydrates by
eating foods that contain them. In order to use the
energy contained in the carbohydrates, humans
must metabolize , or break down, the structure of
the molecule in a process that is opposite that of
photosynthesis. It starts with the carbohydrate and
oxygen and produces carbon dioxide, water, and
energy. The body utilizes the energy and water and
rids itself of the carbon dioxide.
 carbohydrates serve as energy source.
 ribose and deoxyribose sugars form part of of RNA and
DNA.
 polysaccharides are structural elements in the cell
 carbohydrates are linked to many proteins and lipids,
where they play key roles in mediating.
2.Protiens
Proteins are the Body's Worker Molecules
3. Lipids
4.Nucleic Acids
Gene expression
translation lead to diseases.
Hormones
Assignment
 10 students to be selected for assignment
Suggested readings
 Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 26 th edition.
Robert K. Murray, Daryl K. Granner, Peter A. Mayes
and Victor W Rodwell.