Unit 1

BIOCHEMISTRY
and the ORGANIZATION of CELLS
What is BIOCHEMISTRY?
It is a multidisciplinary science that explores the
chemistry of living organisms and the molecular
basis for the changes occurring in living cells.

Basic principles of biochemistry are common to all

living organisms.

The knowledge of biochemistry can be applied to

solve problems in medicine, agriculture,
environmental sciences, etc.
Biochemical Features of Living Organisms
Cells are the basic structural
and functional units of all
living organisms. It is highly
organized; a constant
energy source is required to
maintain a cells ordered
state.

Living processes consist of

thousands of chemical reactions;
precise regulation and integration
of these reactions are required to
maintain life.
Certain biochemical reaction
pathways, i.e. glycolysis and Krebs
cycle, are found in almost all
organisms.
Biochemical Features of Living Organisms

All organisms use the same

type of (bio)molecules.
Proteins
Nucleic acids
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Biochemical Features of Living Organisms
The instructions for
growth, development,
and reproduction are
encoded in each
organisms nucleic
acid.
Cell: Functional & Structural Unit of Life
Types of Cells
Prokaryote: before the nucleus
single-celled organisms
include bacteria and cyanobacteria

Eukaryote: true nucleus

contain a well-defined nucleus surrounded by a
nuclear membrane
can be single celled, such as yeasts and Paramecium,
or multicellular, such as animals and plants
Comparison of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes
Prokaryotic Cell
Prokaryotes are considered as
ancestor of eukaryotic cell.
They are unicellular.
There are two major divisions of
prokaryotes: Archaebacteria
(ancient class) and Eubacteria
(true bacteria).
Escherichia coli is the most
studied prokaryote.
Prokaryotic Cell: Structure and Function
There are two definite
membranes in a bacterial cell:
the cell wall and the plasma
membrane.
Interior of the cell consists of
cytoplasm and nucleoid region.
Ribosomes, various RNAs,
proteins (including enzymes)
and small molecules (i.e. water)
filled the cytoplasm.
A bacterial chromosome is a
single circular molecule of naked
DNA.
Hair-like projections (flagella
and/or pili)are also present.
Eukaryotic Cell
Structurally more complex
Presence of nucleus
Possess a number of separate
chromosomes
Filled with diverse structures
Membrane-bound organelles
Cytoplasmic membranes
Other structures that lack
surrounding membranes

Eukaryotic cell structure: Epithelial cell

from the male rat reproductive tract
Eukaryotic Cell: Structure and Function
Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Organelles
Cytoskeletal elements
Cytosol

Eukaryotic cell structure: Epithelial cell

from the male rat reproductive tract
Cell Membrane: Structure and Function
It is a thin film of lipid and protein
molecules held together by
noncovalent interactions.
Functions:
Define and compartmentalize the cell
Serve as scaffold for biochemical
activities
Provide selectively permeable barrier
Provide means of transporting solutes
. Play a role in cell-to-cell
communication and detection of
external signals
Nucleus: Structure and Function
It is the principal feature that
distinguishes eukaryotic from
prokaryotic cells.
It serves both as repository of
genetic information and as the
cells control center.
Processes involved: DNA
replication, transcription and RNA
processing
Mitochondrion: Structure and Function
It plays a critical role in the
generation of useful energy
derived from the breakdown of
lipids and carbohydrates.
It contains their own DNA
encoding for tRNA, rRNA and
some mitochondrial proteins.
Most mitochondrial proteins are
synthesized on free ribosomes.
Chloroplast: Structure and Function
Can harness solar energy to
convert CO2 & H2O into
carbohydrates; photosynthetic
generation of ATP.
They synthesize their own
amino acids, fatty acids and
lipid components of their own
membranes.
Reduction of NO2 to NH3 also
occurs in chloroplast
Endoplasmic Reticulum: Structure and Function
It is a network of membrane-enclosed tubules and sacs that
extends from the nuclear membrane throughout the
cytoplasm.
It is the largest organelle in the cell.
Two types: Rough and Smooth ER
Endoplasmic Reticulum: Structure and Function
Rough ER
Consists of flattened sheets that is continuous to the outer
nuclear membrane.
Characterized by the presence of ribosomes on the cytosolic
side of the membrane.

Smooth ER
It is tubular in shape.
It is involve in lipid metabolism.
It is involve in several cellular processes: drug detoxification,
carbohydrate metabolism and synthesis of neutral fats,
phospholipids and steriods.
Golgi Complex: Structure and Function
It consists of a series of flattened,
membranous sacs (cisternae)
involved in modifying, sorting and
packaging of macromolecules for
secretion or for export to other
organelles.

It is form by fusion of vesicles that

bud off the ER.
Lysosome: Structure and Function
It is a membrane-enclosed
organelle that functions to
degrade materials taken into
the cell and to digest worn out
or unnecessary cell
components.

It contains about 50 different

hydrolytic enzymes that can
breakdown macromolecules.
Peroxisome: Structure and Function
It is a small, membrane-
enclosed organelles that
contain enzymes in variety of
metabolic reactions.
Production and decomposition
of H2O2
Oxidative reactions of uric
acid, amino acids and fatty
acids.
Synthesis of cholesterol,
dolichol and bile acids in
specialized cells
In plants, glyoxylate cycle and
photorespiration occurs.
Cytoskeleton: Structure and Function
It is a complex networks of
protein filaments extending
throughout the cytoplasm
It determines cells shape and
internal organization;
responsible for the movement
of the cell.
Three principal types of
cytoskeleton:
Microfilaments
Intermediate filaments
Microtubules
Centrosome and Vacuole
CENTROSOME
It is also called the microtubule
organizing center.
Its function is to aid cellular division.

VACUOLE
It functions as storage
depots for nutrients, wastes,
and specialized materials
such as pigments.
Summary of Organelles and their Function(s)