The document provides an introduction to biochemistry, defining it as the chemistry of life and detailing the importance of understanding biomolecules and their reactions in living systems. It describes the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, highlighting their structures and key organelles, as well as the role of biomolecules such as proteins and lipids in cellular processes. Additionally, it discusses the significance of biochemistry in medicine and pharmacology, emphasizing the biochemical basis of diseases and drug action.

1. Lecture 1
Introduction to Biochemistry

2. Definition Of Biochemistry
• Definition: The chemistry of life
• The science concerned with the chemical basis of life.
• The science concerned with the various molecules that occur in living cells
and organisms and with their chemical reaction.
Biochemistry
1- chemistry of biomolecules 2- chemical reactions
( structures and functions) of biomolecules

3. Aims of biochemistry
1- is to describe and explain in
molecular terms all chemical
processes of living cell
• Structure-function
• Metabolism and Regulation
2- To understand how life is began
3- knowledge of biochemistry is
essential to all life sciences

4. Bio-medicine relationship
• All diseases have biochemical bases
• Most biochemical reactions have been discovered after following a
course of a disease
• Bio.techniques used for diagnosis of diseases
• Biochemistry is used for formulation of drugs
4

5. Biochemistry & pharmacology
•The action of a drug almost always involves some
change in the biochemical processes taking place in
the body. As such, pharmacologists must also be
aware with the biochemical aspects of the human
body.
•In pharmacy, biochemical testing provides
indispensable visions into a drug's: mode of action.

6. In order to study biochemistry a little
information should be known about
the cell
The cell smallest unit of live capable
of doing all living processes
Cell divided into :
1- eukaryotic cell
2- prokaryotic cell

7. Cells May be Prokaryotic or Eukaryotic
• Prokaryotes (Greek: pro-before; karyon-
nucleus) include various bacteria
• lack a nucleus or membrane-bound structures
called organelles
• Eukaryotes (Greek: eu-true; karyon-nucleus)
include most other cells (plants, fungi, &
animals)
• have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles

8. Eukaryotic cell
 Cell found usually in multi-
cellular organisms
 Consist of
1- outer plasma membrane
2- nucleus with nuclear membrane
3- cytosol enriched with organells

9. The organells are:
1- mitochondrion
2- endoplsmic reticulum
3- golgi apparatus
4- lysosomes
5- perioxisome
6- ribosome

10. •Cell membrane & cell wall
•Nucleoid region contains the DNA
•Contain ribosomes (no membrane)
• Cell Membrane
• Nucleus
• Cytoplasm with organelles

11. Plasma membrane
 Found in both prokaryote
and eukaryote cells
 It is phospholipids in nature
 It is selective permeable to
molecules

13. Characteristic Bio-membranes and Organelles
• Mitochondria- the power generators (power house )
Functions in energy production. Contains its own DNA.
•Plasma Membrane-Cell’s defining boundary
Providing a barrier and containing
transport and signaling systems.
•Nucleus – Cell’s information center
contains genetic material

14. •Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)
Covered with ribosomes (causing the "rough"
appearance) which are in the process of
synthesizing proteins.
•Ribosomes
Protein and RNA complex responsible for
protein synthesis
•Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)
A site for synthesis and metabolism of lipids.
•Centrioles:- Play a role in cell division
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) – The transport network for molecules

15. Cytoplasm
enclosed by the plasma membrane, liquid
portion called cytosol and it houses the
membranous organelles.
•Lysosomes-contain digestive enzyme
A membrane bound organelle that is
responsible for degrading proteins in the cell.
•Golgi apparatus -process and package the
macromolecules.
A series of stacked membranes. . In which
the proteins are "processed" to a mature
form. packages molecules for secretion.

16. Cell wall : - protects the cell and gives shape (A cell wall is
found in plants, algae, fungi, & most bacteria).
 Chloroplast :- conduct photosynthesis
 Vacuole :- storage, secretary, excretory

17. Prokaryotic cell
Has plasma membrane
No nucleus or nuclear membrane
the genetic found scatter in the
cytoplasm
No organelles
Usually found in unicellular
organism

19. Cell Structure
Prokaryotic Cell
Typical Animal Eukaryotic
Cell
Cell membrane yes yes
Cell wall
yes no in animal but
found in plant
Centrioles no yes
Endoplasmic
reticulum
No Yes (some
exceptions)
Golgi complex No Yes
Lysosomes No yes
Mitochondria No Yes
Peroxisomes No yes
Ribosomes Yes Yes
Comparison between eukaryotic &
prokaryotic cells

20. Biomolecules
 Just like cells are building blocks of tissues, biomolecules are building blocks of cells.
They are complex molecules that is formed living organisms they include:
• Water
• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• proteins
• Nucleic acids
• Vitamines
• Minerals


21. Polymers and Monomers
• Each of these types of molecules are polymers that are assembled from
single units called monomers.
• Each type of macromolecule is an assemblage of a different type of
monomer.
The biomolecules :
All are composed of atoms
All except minerals contain elements of water
All except minerals and water are organic molecules

22. Macromolecule
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic acids
Monomer
Monosaccharide
Fatty acids + alcohols
Amino acids
Nucleotides

23. Forces stabilizing bimolecules
These Include:
1- covalent bonds
2- non- covalent bonds

24. Covalent bonds
 Strong bonds
 Needs high energy to be broken
 Examples are
Peptide bonds
Glycosidic bonds
Ester bonds
Disulfide bridge

25. The non-covalent bonds
This include
1- hydrogen bond
2- hydrophobic interaction
3- Electrostatic bond
4- Van Der Waal forces

26. Hydrogen bond
 Non-covalent bond
 Occur between positive
hydrogen ion in a molecule ad
negative ion in another one
Is very week bond

29. The hydrophobic interaction
Is tendency of a molecule
for folding around it self to
hide the non-polar part from
water when put in solution
In this case the polar part
come to the out side to
contact water

30. Electrostatic interaction
(ionic bridge,salt bridge)
 Non-covalent bond
 Occur between a positive
ion in one molecule and most
negative ion in another
molecule

32. Van Der Waal forces
Is the attractive and
repulsive forces that
occur between two
adjacent atoms in a
molecule