SBT 1231–principle

Biochemistry

Instructor: Br. OSAMA YOUSEF

E-mail: thnibatjust2001@yahoo.com

Phone: 016-3404688
How To learn Biochemistry????
• Attend to class
• Review lecture notes.
• Read book chapters.
Principles of Biochemistry 3rd Edition
Horton, Moran, Ochs, Rawn, Scrimgeour.
 What is Biochemistry?
• Biochemistry = chemistry of life.

• Biochemists use physical and

chemical principles to explain
biology at the molecular level.

• Basic principles of biochemistry are

common to all living organism
 How does biochemistry
impact our life?
• Medicine: production of many analogues which
are used as drugs such as 6-mercaptopurine
• Agriculture: identification compounds and
chemical principles affecting plant and animal
growth. (fertilizers)
• Industrial applications: food product
• Environmental : Biodegradation
 Medical applications of biochemistry
• 6-Mercaptopurine is an analog of hypoxanthine, an intermediate
in nucleotide biosynthesis. When mercaptopurine is made into a
nucleotide , it stops DNA replication from occurring because it is
incorporated into DNA instead of the proper nucleotide.
• 6-Mercaptopurine is an anticancer medication. It inhibits the
uncontrolled DNA replication associated with proliferation of
white blood cells in leukemia.
 Principle Areas of
Biochemistry
• Structure and function of biological
molecules

• Metabolism – energy production and

utilization (anabolic and catabolic
processes).
• Molecular Genetics – How life is
replicated. Regulation of protein
synthesis
 Before biochemistry
Vitalism: idea that substances and
processes associated with living
organisms did not behave according
to the known laws of physics and
chemistry

Evidence:
4) Only living things have a high degree
of complexity
5) Only living things can transform and
utilize energy from their environment
6) Only living things are capable of self
assembly and self replication
Origins of Biochemistry:
A challenge to “Vitalism.”

Famous Biochemist!
Vitalism : Biochemicals can only be
produced by living organisms

•1828 Friedrich
Wohler
 Vitalism : Complex
bioconversion of chemical
substances require living matter

•1897 Eduard
Buchner

Glucose + Yeast extract = Alcohol

 Vitalism : Complex
bioconversion of chemical
substances require living
matter

• Emil Fischer
 Vitalism : Complex
bioconversion of chemical
substances require living
matter

1926 J.B. Sumner

Isolation and
crystallization of the
enzyme urease
 Organization of Life
• elements
• simple organic compounds
(monomers)
• macromolecules (polymers)
• supramolecular structures
• organelles
• cells
• tissues
• organisms
Organization of Life
 Elements of Life

Most abundant, essential for all organisms: C, N, O, P, S, H

Less abundant, essential for all organisms : Na, Mg, K, Ca, Cl
Trace levels, essential for all organism: Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn
Trace levels, essential for some organisms: V, Cr, Mo, B, Al, Ga, Sn,
Si, As, Se, I, F, Ni.
Important compounds, functional
groups
 Many Important Biomolecules are
Polymers

lipids proteins carbo nucleic acids

monomer f a t t y a c id a m i n o a c id g lu c o s e n u c le o tid e

polymer p h o s p h o l i p i d p r o t e in s u b u n it c e llu lo s e DNA

supramolecular
m e m b ra n e p r o t e in c o m p le x c e ll w a ll c h ro m o s o m e
structure
 Proteins

amino acid

protein subunit

Enzyme complex
 Carbohydrates

monomer g lu c o s e

polymer c e llu lo s e

supramolecular
structure c e ll w a ll
 Nucleic Acids

monomer n u c le o ti d e

polymer DNA

supramolecular
c h r o m a t in
structure
Nucleic Acids
 Lipids

f a t t y a c id
monomer

p h o s p h o lip id
polymer

supramolecular m e m b r a n e
structure
Common theme:

Monomers form
polymers through  
condensations
(dehydration)

Polymers are broken

down through
hydrolysis.
Prokaryote Cell
Eukaryote Cell