Biochemistry

History
The name Biochemistry was coined in 1903
by a German chemist named Carl Neuberg.
Biochemistry in broad terms is the study of
the chemical composition of the living
matter and the biochemical processes that
underlie life activities during growth and
maintenance.

What is Biochemistry?
Biochemistry is the application of chemistry to

the study of biological processes at the

cellular and molecular level.
It emerged as a distinct discipline around the
beginning of the 20th century when scientists
combined chemistry, physiology and biology
to investigate the chemistry of living systems.

"Biochemistry has become the

foundation for understanding all

biological processes. It has provided
explanations for the causes of many
diseases in humans, animals and
plants."
Biochemistry is both a life science and a
chemical science - it explores the
chemistry of living organisms and the
molecular basis for the changes
occurring in living cells.
It uses the methods of chemistry,
physics, molecular biology and
immunology to study the structure and
behaviour of the complex molecules

An essential science
Biochemistry has become the foundation for

understanding all biological processes. It has

provided explanations for the causes of many
diseases in humans, animals and plants. It can
frequently suggest ways by which such
diseases may be treated or cured.

A practical science
Because biochemistry seeks to unravel the

complex chemical reactions that occur in a

wide variety of life forms, it provides the basis
for practical advances in medicine, veterinary
medicine, agriculture and biotechnology. It
underlies and includes such exciting new
fields as molecular genetics and
bioengineering.

Atoms are the fundamental

unit of all matter.
Atoms contain electrons,
protons, and neutrons.

Elements are pure substance that contains only one

type of atom.
92 naturally occurring elements are known
only about 20 are found in organisms
Four elements in this group: carbon, oxygen,
hydrogen, and nitrogen (remember: COHN)
comprise 98% of the atoms of all living things

Atoms combine to form molecules.

Compound: a substance made up of two or more
atoms
Molecule: the smallest particle of a compound that
still retains the properties of that compound.

Atoms bond to form more stable configurations.

There are two types of bonds that form between
atoms:
1. Ionic
2. Covalent
Electrons are responsible for creating the bonds that
hold
atoms together

Ionic bonds are electrostatic attractions between two

oppositely charged particles.
Ionic bonds form between two atoms when one
loses an electron and the other gains an electron
This reaction creates two charged particles, known
as ions

Covalent bonds are formed by the sharing of electrons

between atoms

Polar covalent bonds

occur any time there is
an unequal sharing of
electrons by two atoms
A polar covalent bonds
atoms bear a slight
chargeeither positive
or negative

Biochemical compounds fall into two broad groups:

organic and inorganic.
Organic compounds contain molecules that are
made primarily of carbon atoms.
Inorganic compounds are compounds that are not
organic

BIOCHEMICAL
COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC

ORGANIC

Water
Minerals
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Nucleic Acids
Vitamins

Summary Equation for Photosynthesis

6 CO2 + 12 H2O + Light energy
6 O2 + 6 H2 O

C6H12O6 +

Summary Equation for Respiration

C6H12O6 + 6O2
Chemical Energy

6CO2 + 6H2O +

Photosynthesis is a redox process

Photosynthesis uses the following
compounds:
Water is oxidized (loses electrons)
Broken down into Hydrogen and Oxygen

Carbon dioxide is reduced (gains

electrons)
Combined into 5 carbon sugars

The Equation
What are the raw materials or the reactants?
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Water (H2O)
Chlorophyll to capture the light energy
Enzymes
light energy

The Equation
What are the Products
Glucose (C6H12O6)
Water (H2O)
Oxygen (O2)

Carbon Dioxide + Water Glucose + Water +

Oxygen

CO2 + H2O C6H12O6 + H2O

+ O2

6 CO2 + 12 H2O C6H12O6 + 6 H2O

+ 6 O2