Biochemistry Biochemistry Biochemistry can be defined as the science concerned with the chemical basis of life. It is the chemistry of biology. The major objective of biochemistry is the complete understanding, at the molecular level, of all of the chemical processes associated with living cells.

Organic and Inorganic Compounds Organic compounds always contain carbon (C) and occur naturally only in the bodies of living organisms. They almost always contain hydrogen (H), usually contain oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N), and sometimes contain phosphate (P), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) or potassium (K) in small amounts. Organic compounds always contain carbon (C) and occur naturally only in the bodies of living organisms. They almost always contain hydrogen (H), usually contain oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N), and sometimes contain phosphate (P), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) or potassium (K) in small amounts.

Biochemistry and Nutrition The 3 groups of macromolecules and 4 classes of nutrients: The 3 groups of macromolecules and 4 classes of nutrients: Carbohydrates Carbohydrates Fats Fats Protein Protein Water. Water. Fibre Fibre Minerals Minerals Vitamin Vitamin

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates Carbohydrates can be thought of as sugars. The can be both simple and complex. This is dependent on how many sugar chains there are in the Carbohydrate. Carbohydrates can be thought of as sugars. The can be both simple and complex. This is dependent on how many sugar chains there are in the Carbohydrate. Monosaccharides (One sugar), Disaccharides (Two sugars), or Polysaccharides (many sugars). Monosaccharides (One sugar), Disaccharides (Two sugars), or Polysaccharides (many sugars). They constitute a large part of foods such as rice, noodles, bread, and other grain-based products They constitute a large part of foods such as rice, noodles, bread, and other grain-based products These give us energy. These give us energy.

Monosaccharide (Monomère) Disaccharide Polysaccharide (Polymère)

Fats – Unsaturated and Saturated

Fats

Fats These are made up of fatty acids bound to a glycerol compound. These are made up of fatty acids bound to a glycerol compound. Fats may be classified as saturated or unsaturated depending on the detailed structure of the fatty acids involved. Fats may be classified as saturated or unsaturated depending on the detailed structure of the fatty acids involved. Most fatty acids in fats are non-essential, meaning the body can produce them as needed. However some of them are two fatty acids are essential and must be included in the diet. An appropriate balance of essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Most fatty acids in fats are non-essential, meaning the body can produce them as needed. However some of them are two fatty acids are essential and must be included in the diet. An appropriate balance of essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Fats – Saturated and Unsaturated

Protein

Protein One of the original nutrients discovered. One of the original nutrients discovered. Proteins are the basis of many animal body structures (e.g. muscles, skin, and hair ) Proteins are the basis of many animal body structures (e.g. muscles, skin, and hair ) Composed of amino acids. Composed of amino acids. Proteins are broken down in the body into amino acids, which are then used in our body to make our own proteins. Proteins are broken down in the body into amino acids, which are then used in our body to make our own proteins.

Functions of Proteins include Repair Repair Build Build Enzymes Enzymes Amino Acids – 20 in total, 8 essential Amino Acids – 20 in total, 8 essential Cell membrane etc Cell membrane etc

The extraordinary properties of Water A water molecule (H 2 O), is made up of three atoms: one oxygen and two hydrogen. A water molecule (H 2 O), is made up of three atoms: one oxygen and two hydrogen. H H O

Homeostasis – very important! Steady state Steady state Constant physiological condition of cells, organisms global ecosystems Constant physiological condition of cells, organisms global ecosystems a. Makes a good insulator a. Makes a good insulator b. Resists temperature change b. Resists temperature change c. Universal solvent c. Universal solvent d. Coolant d. Coolant e. Ice protects against temperature extremes e. Ice protects against temperature extremes

High Specific Heat Water resists temperature change, both for heating and cooling. Water can absorb or release large amounts of heat energy with little change in actual temperature. This keeps our cells safe by keeping the temperature steady!

Dehydration reactions Building and Breaking of Macromolecules Dehydration-Synthesis = Condensation = occurs when a water molecule is removed to join 2 subunits  See example to the left and on the next slide

Fibre

Fibre Dietary fibre consists mainly of cellulose. Dietary fibre consists mainly of cellulose. This can make it hard for the body to digest. It can be broken down and used as energy as carbohydrates are but because they are hard to digest are not as efficient. This can make it hard for the body to digest. It can be broken down and used as energy as carbohydrates are but because they are hard to digest are not as efficient. The eating of this can however provide healthy intestinal movements. The eating of this can however provide healthy intestinal movements.

Minerals

Minerals Chemical elements our body needs. These can be Sodium, Calcium along with others. Chemical elements our body needs. These can be Sodium, Calcium along with others. These do not include carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. These do not include carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. These are found in all foods to a varying degree. Some foods will have more then others. These are found in all foods to a varying degree. Some foods will have more then others.

Vitamins A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. Vitamin D is the only vitamin that can be synthesised by the human body. All other ones which are essential must be consumed. Vitamin D is the only vitamin that can be synthesised by the human body. All other ones which are essential must be consumed. Fruits and Veggies is where these are found. Fruits and Veggies is where these are found. Goitre, scurvy, osteoporosis and rickets are just some of the disorders caused by a vitamin deficiency. Goitre, scurvy, osteoporosis and rickets are just some of the disorders caused by a vitamin deficiency.

Vitamins

Task Task: Task: Using your textbook and these notes, answer the following questions: Using your textbook and these notes, answer the following questions: Differentiate between organic and inorganic compounds. Give examples of each. Differentiate between organic and inorganic compounds. Give examples of each. What are the three classes of carbohydrates? Explain how each differs. What are the three classes of carbohydrates? Explain how each differs. What are fats made of? What are fats made of? In what ways do plant and animal fats differ? In what ways do plant and animal fats differ? What is cholesterol, and why has it become so important to health-conscious consumers? What is cholesterol, and why has it become so important to health-conscious consumers? In what ways do proteins and nucleic acids differ from carbohydrates and lipids? In what ways do proteins and nucleic acids differ from carbohydrates and lipids? Explain the process of dehydration synthesis. Explain the process of dehydration synthesis. Explain the process of hydrolysis. Explain the process of hydrolysis. What is the difference between DNA and RNA (structure and function). What is the difference between DNA and RNA (structure and function).