BL/CH401 Lecture 1

Introduction to Biochemistry

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BIOCHEMISTRY is THE CHEMISTRY of LIVING SYSTEMS

LIVING SYSTEMS:

1. COMPLICATED AND HIGHLY ORGANIZED

2. EACH PART HAS A FUNCTION

3. FUNCTION IS RELATED TO STRUCTURE

4. MUST EXTRACT ENERGY FROM the ENVIRONMENT

5. HAVE THE ABILITY TO REPLICATE ITSELF

6. HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADAPT TO CHANGE

Biochemistry obeys the same general rules as all other chemical systems.
Biochemicals are like Organic Chemicals

For example - Living systems contain the following Chemicals

Biochemistry deals with the structure and function of bio-molecules.

Biochemists study the structures of bio-molecules and their cellular functions to better understand living systems and their chemistry.

Examples of Structure -- Function Relationships:

1. Amino acids are joined to form proteins and these proteins fold up to form functional enzymes (enzymes = bio-catalysts). (What is a catalyst? A substance which accelerates a chemical reaction.)

Go To: Ribbon Model of an Enzyme - Cytochrome c Reductase

2. Nucleotides are joined to form RNA and DNA.
These polymers are the information molecules of living systems and maintain the genetic heritage of organisms.

Go To: Model of DNA

3. Proteins (Enzymes), RNA and DNA along with other molecules aggregate to form cellular components, cells, organs, and whole organisms.

Go To: Model of Protein Bound to DNA

Similarity in Protein and Nucleic Acid Structure to Language Structure

Biochemistry has many very practical applications:

A. In medicine and health care (development of new drugs, etc.)
B. In agriculture (breeding of improved crops for feeding people)
C. In chemical industries (improvements in synthesis of feedstocks)

©Wilbur H. Campbell, 1995,1996; wcampbel@mtu.edu

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