BIOCHEMISTRY

Definition:

Biochemistry is a science that studies the chemistry of life; that is, it aims to
describe the structure, organization and functions of living matter in molecular
terms. This science is a branch of Chemistry and Biology. It can be divided into
three main areas: 1) the structural chemistry of the components of living matter
and the relation of biological function to chemical structure; 2) metabolism, the
totality of chemical reactions that occur in living matter; and 3) the chemistry of
the processes and the substances that store and transmit the biological
information. The latter is also the area of molecular genetics.
Objective:
Describe and explain in molecular terms, all the chemical processes of living
cells.

BIOCHEMISTRY IS A MODERN SCIENCE

Biochemistry emerged as a dynamic science only for 100 years. However, the
foundations for the field of work that led to the emergence of biochemistry as a
modern science were laid for many centuries. The period before the 20th century
witnessed rapid advances in the understanding of basic chemical principles such
as reaction kinetics and the atomic composition of molecules. By the end of the
19th century, numerous chemical substances produced by living organisms had
been identified. Since then, biochemistry has become an organized discipline and
biochemists elucidated many of the chemical processes of life. The growth of
biochemistry and its influence in other disciplines will continue its march during
the 21st century.
In 1828, Friedrich Wöhler synthesized the organic compound urea by heating the
inorganic compound ammonium cyanate.

This experiment showed for the first time that from common inorganic substances
it was possible to synthesize the compounds found exclusively in living
organisms. It is now known that the synthesis and degradation of biological
substances obey the same chemical and physical laws applicable to processes
independent of biology. No special or "vitalistic" processes are required to explain
life at the molecular level. Many scientists locate the principles of biochemistry
with the synthesis of urea by Friedfrich Wöhler; however, it took another 75 years
before the first biochemistry departments were established in the universities.

The two most important discoveries in the history of biochemistry are especially
noteworthy: the discovery of the catalytic function of enzymes and the function of
nucleic acids as information transport molecules. The large size of proteins and
nucleic acids made initial characterization difficult due to the techniques available
in the first part of the 20th century. With the development of modern technology,
we now have access to a large amount of information about how the structures
of proteins and nucleic acids relate to their biological functions.
The first discovery-the identification of enzymes as catalysts for biological
reactions-was in part the result of Eduard Buchner's research. In 1897, Buchner
demonstrated that extracts of cell-free yeasts could catalyze the fermentation of
glucose to convert it into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Prior to this, scientists
believed that only living cells could catalyze such complex biological reactions.
The study of the nature of biological catalysts was investigated by Emil Fischer,
a contemporary of Eduard Buchner. Fischer studied the catalytic effect of yeast
enzymes in a simple reaction, the hydrolysis (breakdown by water) of sucrose
(table sugar). Fischer proposed that during the catalysis an enzyme and its
reactant, or substrate, combine to form an intermediate compound. He also
proposed that only a molecule with a suitable structure could serve as a substrate
for a certain enzyme. Fischer described enzymes as rigid molds or locks, and to
substrates as their corresponding keys. Soon the researchers understood that
almost all life's reactions were catalyzed by enzymes; therefore, the modified
theory of the key and its lock of enzymatic action remains the central principle of
modern biochemistry.
Enzymatic catalysis allows very high yields with very few by-products, if any. In
contrast, many reactions catalyzed in organic chemistry are considered
acceptable if they obtain yields of 50 to 60%. Biochemical reactions must be
efficient since by-products can be toxic to cells and their formation would waste
precious energy. Of course, the other key property of enzymatic catalysis is that
biological reactions occur much more quickly than without a catalyst.