Chem4
Biochemistry
Unit 1:
Introduction to
Biochemistry
Engr. Joevennel P. Escare
Objective/s:
At the end of the unit, you are expected to:
1. explain the different functions of cell in the
body; and
2. differentiate the two types of cells:
prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Introduction
What is Biochemistry?
• Biochemistry is the study of the
chemical substance found in the living
organisms and the chemical
interactions of these substances with
each other.
• Biochemistry is a field which new
discoveries are made almost daily
about how cells manufacture the
molecules needed for life and how the
chemical reactions by which life is
Unlocking Difficulties
Definition of Terms
Cells Nucleus
01 02
Basic unit of life. control center of
the cell
Eukaryote Prokaryote
03 04
any cell or any cell or organism
organism that that lacks a distinct
nucleus and other
possesses a clearly organelles due to the
defined nucleus. absence of internal
What is a
cell?
Basic unit of life.
Provide structure for the body,
take in nutrients from food,
convert those nutrients into
energy, and carry out specialized
function.
Cells have many parts, each with
a different function. Some of
these parts, are called
organelles, are specialized
structures that perform certain
tasks within the cell.
01
The Cell Theory
Proposed by Matthais Schleiden
and Theodor Schwann in 1839:
o All living things are made up of
cells
o Cells are the smallest working
unit of all living things.
o All cells come from preexisting
cells through cells division.
The Cell Structure and
02 Function
The cell is the lowest
level of structure
capable of performing all
the activities of life.
The first cells were
observed and named by
Robert Hooke in 1665
from slice of cork.
03 Types of Cells
1. Eukaryote - any cell or
organism that possesses a
clearly defined nucleus.
2. Prokaryote - any cell or
organism that lacks a
distinct nucleus and other
organelles due to the
absence of internal
Eukaryotes
Eukaryotes (eucaryotes) are organisms made up of cells that possess a
membrane-bound nucleus.
Just like prokaryotes, the word “eukaryotes” is derived from two Greek
words eu, true, and karyon, nut or kernel.
A typical eukaryotic cell is surrounded by a plasma membrane and
contains many different structures and organelles with a variety of
functions.
The major groups of microorganisms (fungi, protozoa and algae), as
well as parasitic worms and mites, and all plants and animals up to and
including humans all belong to this group.
Eukaryotes
Viruses do not have a cellular structure and so some scientists do not
even regard them as living but merely mixtures of complex chemicals;
Nevertheless, they are indisputably agents of infection and for that
reason are usually considered as part of the microbial world.
Prokaryotes
The word “prokaryotes” also spelled “procaryotes” is coined from two
Greek words pro, before, and karyon, nut or kernel.
It is used to describe unicellular (single-celled) organisms that lack true
nucleus and membrane-bound cell organelles.
This means that the genetic material in prokaryotes is not bound within
a nucleus.
Prokaryotes
Prokaryotes are divided into two domains, bacteria and archaea.
Bacteria used to be considered as the only category of prokaryotic cells,
but in 1990 a second group, the archaea, were recognized as having
equal status to bacteria.
Prokaryotes
Archaea tend to live in harsh environmental conditions (such as high
temperatures, extremes pH or salinity etc.) and often possess unusual
modes of metabolism.
All other organisms including humans have the eukaryotic structure with
relatively more complex architecture.
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Size
Prokaryote Eukaryote
Typically, 1 – 5 μm Normally greater
than 10 μm
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Cell nucleus
Prokaryote Eukaryote
Do not possess a Have a nucleus
true nucleus surrounded by a
nuclear
membrane
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Location of chromosomes
Prokaryote Eukaryote
In the cytoplasm, Within a true
usually attached nucleus separated
to the cell from the
membrane cytoplasm by a
nuclear
membrane
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Nuclear division and reproduction
Prokaryote Eukaryote
Mitosis and Exhibit both
meiosis are mitosis and
absent so meiosis, so
reproduction is reproduction may
asexual be sexual or
asexual or both
depending on
species
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Nucleolus
Prokaryote Eukaryote
Absent Present
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Genetic variation
Prokaryote Eukaryote
Resulting largely Resulting both
from mutations from mutations
and the creation
of new gene
combinations
during sexual
reproduction
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Mitochondria, chloroplasts, and
ribosomes
Prokaryote Eukaryote
1. Mitochondria Mitochondria and
and chloroplasts may
chloroplasts be present;
absent; ribosomes larger:
ribosome size 80s
is 70s
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Chemical composition
Prokaryote Eukaryote
Do not possess Do possess
sterols in the cell sterols in the cell
membrane but do membrane but no
usually have peptidoglycan in
peptidoglycan in the walls
the cell walls
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Flagella
Prokaryote Eukaryote
Structurally Structurally
simple complex
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Pili
Prokaryote Eukaryote
Present Absent
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Storage compounds
Prokaryote Eukaryote
Poly -β- Poly -β-
hydroxybutyrate hydroxybutyrate
often present absent
Related Readings
Instructions: Watch the YouTube
video about prokaryotic cell and
eukaryotic cell, link is provided
below.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=zZtcMBTQaS4
Assignme
nt
Typewritten
By Group
1. We all get tired sometimes, especially if
we have been doing a lot of physical
activity like these hikers. But for Jasmin, a
34-year-old former high school track star
who is now a recreational runner, her
tiredness was going far beyond what she
thought should be normal for someone
who is generally in good physical shape.
She was experiencing extreme fatigue
after her runs, as well as muscle cramping,
spasms, and an unusual sense of heaviness
in her legs. At first, she chalked it up to
getting older, but her exhaustion and
1. What are mitochondria? What is
their structure, function, and where
did they come from during
evolution?
2. Why are fatigue and “exercise
intolerance”, such as Jasmin’s
extreme exhaustion after running,
common symptoms of mitochondrial
diseases?
3. Why do you think Jasmin has
symptoms that affect so many
THANK YOU
END OF UNIT 1
