BY
Abdelgader diab
Introduction to Biochemistry
 Biochemistry can be defined as the science concerned
with the chemical basis of life (Gk bios “life”).
It is important to know biochemistry so as to understand
and maintain normal health and to know how to treat
disease
Biochemistry is the science concerned with the study
chemical constituents of living cells (biomolecules), the
basic units of life…
Biomolecules
1- Carbohydrates
2- Proteins
3- Lipids
4- Nucleic acids
5- Vitamins
6- Water
7- Minerals
Organic and biological chemistry
Most molecules in living things (other than H2O, O2, and CO2)
contain C-C or C-H bonds, so biochemistry depends heavily on
organic chemistry
 The major objective of biochemistry is the complete
understanding at the molecular level of all processes
associated with living cells.
 Life is based on chemical reactions in living cells.
Biochemistry and Medicine:
Biochemistry helped in elucidation of molecular causes
of thousands of diseases; sickle cell disease, inborn errors
of metabolism...
Very important in diagnosis ; scurvy deficiency of
vitamin C
Closely related with treatment.
 Study of protein structure and function was
necessary
to
elucidate
the
single
biochemical
difference between normal hemoglobin and sickle
cell hemoglobin
Curriculum:
Biochemistry I (introductory course)
1- the cell
2- water and pH
3- chemistry of CHO, lipids, proteins and nucleic
acids
4- biochemical techniques
5- enzymes and vitamins
Biochemistry 2
1- metabolism of carbohydrates
2- metabolism of lipids
3- metabolism of amino acids
4- metabolism of heme
5- nucleotide metabolism
References
1- Harper 25th , 27th edition
2- Stryer biochemistry
3- Lehninger biochemistry
4- Devlin biochemistry