BIOCHEMISTRY:
SIMPLE VIEW OF
ORGANISM COMPLEXITY
Kenneth L. Frias
Why study biochemistry?
Biochemistry
Biology – study of living things
Chemistry – study of matter
Biochemistry
Study of living things
in molecular level
What is a living thing?
A living thing (organism):
• Homeostasis
• Organization
• Metabolism
• Growth and development
• Reproduction
• Adaptability
• Stimulus Sensitivity
Living thing (organism):
Made of Cell (Organized)
Prokaryotic Cell
Eukaryotic Cell
Atom
Subatomic Particles
• Proton (+1)
• Neutron (0)
• Electron (-1)
Hydrogen – “first” atom
Nebula
Protostar
Nuclear Fusion(Nuclear Change)
Main Sequence Star
Valence Electrons
(outermost electron/s)
Octet Rule (Stability)
Ionic Bond
Covalent Bond (Single)
Covalent Bond (Double)
Covalent Bond (Triple)
Chemical Change (Reactions)
• Synthesis (A+B AB)
• Decomposition (AB A+B)
• Single Displacement (A+BC AC+B)
• Double-Displacement (AB+CD AD+CB)
• Acid-Base (H2O and Ionic Salt is formed)
• Combustion (O2-reactant, CO2/H2O-product)
Molecules/Compounds
/Substances
VSEPR Theory (Structure)
considers the repulsive nature of
electron
VSEPR Theory (Structure)
Inorganic/Organic
(Molecules or Compounds)
Biological Molecules
(Biomolecules)
Common Elements:
Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Sulfur
Biological Molecules
(Biomolecules)
Nucleic Acid (C,H,O,N,P)
Protein (C,H,O,N,S)
Carbohydrate (C,H,O)
Lipid (C,H,O)
Nucleic Acid (C,H,O,N,P)
(information carrier)
Nitrogenous Bases
Nitrogenous Base, Sugar,
Phosphate Group (Nucleotide)
Nucleic acid
RNA/DNA
Nucleic Acid
• DNA – A,T,G,C
• RNA – A,U,G,C
• Contains codes or genes (codon - triplet)
• Assembles proteins
a. transcription – DNA  RNA
b. translation – RNA  protein
• Carries information of organism
• Mutation can lead to diversity (evolution)
Protein
-structure
-multipurpose functions
Amino Acid - R-CH(NH2)-COOH
Polypeptide (protein)
Polypeptide (protein)
• composed of three or more amino acids
linked by synthesis reactions
• Examples of proteins include insulin,
hemoglobin, and enzymes.
• There are extremely large numbers of
different proteins.
• The bases for variability include
differences in the number, kinds and
sequences of amino acids in the
proteins
Carbohydrate
(energy, structure)
Monosaccharides (simple sugars)
• all have the formula C6 H12 O6
• all have a single ring structure
– (glucose is an example)
Disaccharides (double sugars)
• all have the formula C12 H22 O11
• sucrose (table sugar) is an example
Polysaccharides
• Formed of three or more simple sugar units
• Glycogen - animal starch stored in liver &
•
•
muscles
Cellulose - indigestible in humans - forms cell
walls
Starches - used as energy storage
Lipid
(storage of energy, protection)
Glycerol - C3H5(OH)3
triglyceride
triglyceride
Lipids
• Fats, oils, waxes, steroids
• Chiefly function in energy
storage, protection, and
insulation
Monomer (basic)  Polymer (complex)
nucleic acids proteins
monomer
polymer
macromolecular
structure
carbohydrates lipids
nucleotide
amino acid
glucose
fatty acid
DNA
protein subunit
cellulose
phospholipid
chromosome
protein complex
cell wall
membrane
Monomers form
polymers through
Dehydration
synthesis/condensation
Polymers are broken
down through
hydrolysis.
Organisms are indeed complex. However,
these complexities arise from simple
building blocks.
Prokaryotic Cell
Eukaryotic Cell
Biochemistry:
• Human physiology
• Diseases and Cures
• Genetics
• Research
• Other physical aspects of life
Knowledge and understanding
are very powerful. How you
use it is your choice. Be wise
and be responsible.
Thank you very much