Introduction of Biochemistry

Learning objectives
 Define biochemistry and explain its importance in medicine.
 Definition of some topic regarding biophysics.

Biochemistry with its importance

Biochemistry:
Biochemistry is the science concerned with the chemical constituents of living cells and
with the reactions and processes that they undergo.
Importance of Biochemistry:
1. Understanding of life: Lead us to fundamental understanding of life.
2. Understand important issues in medicine, health, and nutrition: Molecular
understanding of diseases such as diabetes, sickle cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis.
3. Important in diagnosis & treatment of diseases: Biochemical tests are important for
diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
4. Important in Advance Biotechnology industries.
Few definitions
Element:
Element is a substance made up of only one kind of atom and cannot be converted to a
simpler form by chemical reaction.
Eg. Hydrogen (H2) & Oxygen (O2).

Compound:
Compound is a substance made up of two or more different kinds of atom and can be
converted to a simpler form by chemical reaction.
Eg. Water (H2O).
Atom:

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 It is the smallest particle of an element which can take part in chemical reaction.
Molecule:
It is a smallest particle of an element or compound which possesses all the properties of
that element but cannot take part in chemical reaction.

Biomolecules:
Biomolecules are an organic molecule that includes carbohydrates, protein, lipids, and
nucleic acids. They are important for the survival of living cells.
Atomic Number:
The number of proton in the nucleus of an atom is called atomic number. It is expressed
by Z.
Atomic Weight:
It is the total number of nucleon that is proton and neutrons is called atomic weight. It is
expressed by A.
Nucleon:
Total number of proton and neutron present in an atom.

Molecular Weight:

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 Summation of the atomic weight of all atom of a molecule.
Example:
• Atomic weight of Na⁺ is 23, Cl⁻ is 35.5.
• Summation of atomic weight of Na and Cl is = 23 + 35.5 = 58.5.
• So, Molecular weight of NaCl is 58.5.
Molecular weight or atomic weight of substance expressed in gram.
Particle:
Particle may be molecule or fraction of molecule or aggregation of molecules.
➢ Molecule: Glucose
➢ Fraction of molecule: NaCl = Na⁺ + Cl⁻
➢ Aggregation: Albumin
Mole:
A mole is the gram molecular weight of a substance or the molecular weight of a substance
expressed in gram.
Example:
 Molecular wt. of NaCl is = 23+35.5 = 58.5.
So, 1 Mole of NaCl = 58.5 gram.
 Similarly molecular Wt. of glucose = 180
So, 1 Mole of Glucose is 180gm.
Osmotically Active Substances:
Means any substances which can exert osmotic pressure in solution with water.
Example:
➢ Highly osmotically active substance: Na⁺, Cl⁻, Glucose.
➢ Less osmotically active substance: Protein.
Osmole:
Number of osmotically active particles in a mole is called osmole.
Example:
➢ 1mole of glucose = 1 osmole
➢ 1mole of NaCl = 2 osmole
➢ 1mole of Na2SO4 = 3 osmole
Equivalent Weight = (𝐌𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭)/𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲
Equivalent:
It is the gram equivalent weight of a substance. It is expressed in gram.

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 Example:
➢ Equivalent weight of calcium is 20.
So, 1 equivalent calcium is 20gm calcium.
Ion:
An electric charge (positive or negative) bearing atom or group of atoms is called ion.
Cation:
Ions that carry positive charge and move towards negative electrode (cathode) are called
cation. E.g. Na+, K+ etc.
Anion:
Ions that carry negative charge and move towards positive electrode (anode) are called
cation. E.g. Cl-, HCO3ˉ etc.

Electrolyte:
The ionized or ionizable constituents of a living cell, blood or other organic matter.
Example of common electrolytes: Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Bicarbonate etc.
Isotopes
Definition:
Isotopes may be defined as atoms having same atomic number (number of proton) but
different atomic weight (weight of protons and neutrons).
Types:
1. Stable isotopes:
Atoms of low atomic weight with neutron to proton Ratio around one is called stable
isotopes. e.g. 21H, 146C, 147N
2. Unstable isotopes (radioactive): Atoms of higher atomic weight with neutron to Proton
ratio more than one. e.g. 6027co, 13153I
Biomedical importance of isotopes:
A. Diagnostic importance

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 131
1. I is used to diagnose thyroid disorder
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2. C is used to diagnose pernicious anemia
3. For scanning of different organs
4. For diagnosis of brain tumor.
B. Therapeutic importance
131
1. I is used for treatment of thyroid cancer and thyrotoxicosis.
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2. P is used for polycythemia, multiple myeloma, Carcinoma of the breast.
Hazards of isotope/Radiation hazards:
A. Immediate hazard:
 Bone marrow depression and immune suppression.
 Rough and scaly skin
B. Delayed hazard:
 Carcinogenesis, cataract
Molecular weight of some substances
Substances Molecular Weight Substances Molecular Wight
Na+ 23 Glucose 180
Cl ˉ 35.5 Urea 60
K+ 39 Cholesterol 390
Ca2+ 40 Bilirubin 585
HCO3 ˉ 61 Creatinine 113

SI unit definition
SI unit:
The newest measurement system is called system of international unit (SI).
Traditional system of measurement is CGS system and MKS system. Different people of
the world use different system which makes the issue problematic. To come out of this problem
WHO adopted standard international system of units called SI unit for presentation of laboratory
data which is published in 1979.
Conversion Factor
Conversion Factor:
A conversion factor is a number used to change one set of units to another, by multiplying
or dividing.
Conversion Factor = (𝑴𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕)/𝟏𝟎
Example:
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 ➢ Molecular weight of Glucose is 180.
So, Conversion factor for glucose is 𝟏𝟖𝟎/𝟏𝟎 = 18
Traditional unit to SI unit
mg/dl is the traditional unit. Its SI unit is mmol/L.
Conversion of mg/dl to mmol/L = (𝒎𝒈/𝒅𝒍)/(𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆)
Example: 100mg/dl of glucose means-
= 𝟏𝟎𝟎/𝟏𝟖 mmol/l = 5.56 mmol/l
SI unit to Traditional unit
Conversion of mmol/L to mg/dl
= 𝒎𝒎𝒐𝒍/𝑳 × conversion factor
Example: 10 mmol/L of glucose means-
= (𝟏𝟎 × 18) mg/dl = 180 mg/dl
Self-Exercise
Q. Convert 120mg/dl of urea into SI unit.
Q. Convert 360mg/dl of glucose into SI unit.
Q. Convert 7mmol/l of glucose into traditional unit.