8.1 Fundamentals of Biochemistry

Biochemistry uncovers the chemical secrets of life, from tiny molecules to complex organisms. It's the bridge between chemistry and biology, helping us understand how our bodies work at the smallest level.

This field impacts everything from drug development to genetic engineering. By studying biomolecules and their interactions, biochemistry reveals the intricate dance of life's chemical processes.

Introduction to Biochemistry

Definition and significance of biochemistry

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• Biochemistry studies chemical processes within and relating to living organisms exploring molecular basis of life and investigating chemical structures and reactions of biological molecules
• Provides insights into cellular functions and processes helping understand metabolic pathways and energy production
• Enables development of new drugs and therapies (insulin for diabetes)
• Contributes to advancements in biotechnology and genetic engineering (CRISPR gene editing)

Biochemistry's interdisciplinary connections

• Integrates principles from chemistry, biology, and physics connecting molecular-level processes to organism-level functions
• Applies chemical principles to biological systems (enzyme kinetics)
• Explores molecular mechanisms underlying biological processes (DNA replication)
• Investigates chemical basis of heredity and gene expression (epigenetics)
• Examines biochemical processes in organ systems (liver metabolism)
• Studies drug interactions with biochemical pathways (antibiotics)
• Analyzes biochemical effects of nutrients on the body (vitamin absorption)

Fundamentals of Biochemistry

Chemical principles in biological systems

• Chemical bonding forms stable molecular structures (peptide bonds), contributes to protein and nucleic acid structure (DNA double helix), and influences intermolecular interactions (protein folding)
• Water as biological solvent facilitates dissolution of many biomolecules and drives protein folding and membrane formation through hydrophobic effect
• pH influences enzyme activity and protein structure while buffer systems maintain physiological pH (blood pH 7.4)
• Redox reactions drive energy transfer in metabolic processes involving electron transfer between molecules (cellular respiration)
• Thermodynamics in biological systems:
  1. Energy conservation in biochemical reactions
  2. Entropy and spontaneity of reactions
  3. Gibbs free energy determines reaction favorability

Major biomolecules and their functions

• Carbohydrates store energy (glycogen), provide structural components (cellulose), and facilitate cell recognition and signaling (glycoproteins)
• Lipids form cell membrane components (phospholipids), store energy (triglycerides), and act as signaling molecules (testosterone)
• Proteins catalyze biochemical reactions (amylase), provide structural components (collagen), transport molecules (hemoglobin), and act as signaling molecules (insulin)
• Nucleic acids store genetic information (DNA) and involve in gene expression and protein synthesis (mRNA)
• Vitamins and minerals serve as cofactors for enzymatic reactions (vitamin B12) and maintain physiological functions (calcium in bone formation)