QUIMICA 4

• Biochemistry
• Biochemistry studies the structure of atoms and the transformation of matter, as well as the analysis of chemical reactions
• Biochemistry is considered the central science due to its connection with other disciplines
• Biochemistry in biology studies the processes and reactions in cell compounds, known as metabolism
• Metabolism is the transformation of compounds, catabolism is the degradation of compounds for energy, and anabolism is the synthesis of complex compounds from simpler substances
• Organic molecules form a set of arranged atoms joined by covalent bonds, mainly forming carbon chains
• The study of biochemistry is applicable in medicine, agri-food sector, and pharmacology
• Biomolecules
• Biomolecules are made up of atoms that form polymers called macromolecules
• Biomolecules constitute living beings and are classified into inorganic and organic biomolecules
• Primary bioelements are hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon, representing over 99% of the total number of atoms in humans
• Glycosidic and Peptide Bonds
• Glycosidic bonds occur between two monosaccharides in sugar molecules or carbohydrates
• Peptide bonds are formed between two amino acids
• Hydrolysis is the chemical reaction between water and another macromolecule, forming two amino acids
• Proteins
• Proteins are essential in cellular function and structure, containing genetic information
• Amino acids are the basic units in the structure of proteins
• Proteins are classified as α, β, and γ according to the position of the amino group with respect to the carboxyl group
• Enzymes are globular proteins that control chemical reactions in cells
• Enzymes bind to a substrate molecule and form an enzyme-substrate complex
• Enzymes increase the speed of reactions and remain unchanged after the reaction
• Enzymes have an active site where amino acids catalyze reactions
• Enzymes can be classified into different types based on the compounds they catalyze
• Carbohydrates
• Carbohydrates perform various biological functions such as providing energy and structural support
• Carbohydrates include glucose, sucrose, starch, and cellulose in plants, and chitin in insects and crustaceans
• Carbohydrates are classified into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides
• Lipids
• Lipids are biomolecules soluble in organic solvents but insoluble in water
• Lipids are important components of cell membranes, fat-soluble vitamins, and steroid hormones
• Lipids include saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, omega fatty acids, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids
• Saturated fatty acids have single bonds and are solid at room temperature, while unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds and are oils
• Omega fatty acids are essential and must be obtained from the diet
• Waxes serve as protection in plants and animals
• Phospholipids are components of the plasma membrane
• Cholesterol is a vital steroid found in the body, synthesized mainly in the liver
• Nucleic Acids
• Nucleic acids are macromolecules important for life, such as DNA and RNA
• Nucleotides are the units that form nucleic acids, with bases including purines and pyrimidines