Prof. Dr. Shehata El SewedyDr. Tarek El SewedyDr. Hewida Fadel

Biochemistry 1(MLBC-201)

Introduction to Biochemistry

Student Assessment

Midterm Exam

Assignment

Attendance

Practical Exam (25 Marks)

Final Exam (50 Marks)

- By the end of this lecture, students will

have a general overview on the contents

of Biochemistry course.

- As well as some basics of Biochemistry

Intended Learning Outcomes

Biochemistry can be defined as the science concerned

with the chemical basis of life (Greek bios “life”).

Since cells are the structural units of living systems. Thus,

biochemistry can also be described as the science concerned

with the chemical constituents of living cells and with the

reactions and they undergo.

Because life depends on biochemical reactions, biochemistry

has become the basic language of all biologic sciences.

Biochemistry was launched by German chemist Carl Alexander Neuberg (father of Biochemistry) in 1903

The Aim of BiochemistryThe major aim of biochemistry is the complete

understanding, at the molecular level, of all of

the chemical processes associated with living

cells.

To achieve this objective, biochemists have

sought to isolate the numerous molecules found

in cells, determine their structures, and

analyze how they function.

Around 25 of the 94 naturally occurring chemical elements are essential to various kinds of biological life.

Just six elements— carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, calcium, and phosphorus—make up almost 99% of the mass of a human cells.

Life on earth depends on the chemical element carbon, which is present in every living thing.

Starting materials: elements of life

Biochemistry is concerned with the entire

spectrum

of life forms, from relatively simple viruses and

bacteria

to complex human beings.

A sound knowledge of biochemistry and of

other related basic disciplines is essential for

the rational

practice of medical and related health

sciences.

Perhaps All Disease Has a Biochemical Basis.

Knowledge of the biochemical molecules shown in the top part of

the diagram has clarified our understanding of the diseases shown

in the bottom half—and conversely, analyses of the diseases shown

below have cast light on many areas of biochemistry

Examples of the two-way street connecting biochemistry and medicine

Biomolecules of lifeThere are 4 classes of biomolecules to be studied in this

biochemistry course:

1. Carbohydrates

2. Proteins.

3. Lipids

4. Nucleic acids

 Biomolecules are polymers: in this terminology, monomers

are relatively small micromolecules that are linked together to

create large macromolecules, which are known as polymers.

1. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are made from monomers called monosaccharides. Some of these monosaccharides include glucose (C6H12O6), fructose (C6H12O6), and deoxyribose (C5H10O4)

Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for living

organisms and are made of carbon, hydrogen,

and oxygen.

 Chlorophyll in plants absorbs light energy from the

sun. This energy is used in the process of

photosynthesis, which allows green plants to take in

carbon dioxide and release oxygen and allows for the

production of carbohydrates.

Plants transform carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the air,

water (H 2 O) from the ground, and energy from the sun

into oxygen (O 2 ) and carbohydrates.

Humans and other animals obtain carbohydrates

by eating foods that contain them. In order to use

the energy contained in the carbohydrates,

humans must metabolize , or break down, the

structure of the molecule in a process that is

opposite that of photosynthesis. It starts with the

carbohydrate and oxygen and produces carbon

dioxide, water, and energy. The body utilizes the

energy and water and rids itself of the carbon

dioxide.

carbohydrates serve as energy source.

ribose and deoxyribose sugars form part of of

RNA and DNA.

polysaccharides are structural elements in the

cell

carbohydrates are linked to many proteins and

lipids, where they play key roles in mediating.

2.Protiens

Proteins are the Body's Worker Molecules

3. Lipids

4.Nucleic Acids

Gene expression

translation lead to diseases.

Hormones

Assignment10 students to be selected for assignment

Suggested readingsHarper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 26 th

edition. Robert K. Murray, Daryl K. Granner, Peter A. Mayes and Victor W Rodwell.