Introduction to Veterinary Biochemistry
Biochemistry- study of the chemistry of living organisms
Protein: carry out work of cells
Lipids: membrane components and storage of energy
Carbohydrates: source of energy
Nucleic acids: DNA & RNA
Biochemical activity modulated by:
• Cell communication
• Reception of signals (neurotransmitters, hormone)
• Second messengers
Metabolism
- Catabolism: breakdown big molecules into simpler building blocks, release energy
(ATP)
- Anabolism: combine building blocks to form larger molecule, requires energy
Importance of compartmentalization
- Separation of processes
- Specialization of function
- Effective metabolic control
- Protection from hydrolysis
Metabolism in cytosol
• Glycolysis
• PPP
• Gluconeogenesis (interplay btw cytosol & mito)
• Urea synthesis (interplay btw cytosol & mito)
• Purine/Pyrimidine biosynthesis
• Lipid biosynthesis (FA synthesis)
• Protein biosynthesis
,In mitochondria
• TCA cycle
• ETC
• Oxidative phosphorylation
• Β-oxidation of FA
• Ketone body formation
Golgi apparatus
• Protein sorting
Cell chemical composition
Cells- basic building blocks of living things
Structure support, nutrient intake, conversion to energy and other specialized functions
Chemical composition (Elements: C, H, O, P, S, N- 99%)
- Water (>70%)
- Inorganic ions
- Organic molecules
Organic substances
• Slightly soluble in water, readily soluble in organic solvent ie. ether/alcohol
• Do not release ions (not electrolyte)
• Most belong to 4 classes of molecules: carbs, lipids, proteins and nucleic acid
• Macromolecule formed from polymerization of low molecular weight precursors
Inorganic substances
• Dissolve in water or react with water to release ions (electrolytes)
• 4 key inorganic substances
o Water o
Oxygen o
Carbon dioxide o
Minerals
• Ions: Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, HPO4 2-, Cl-, HCO3-
Role of electrolytes – carry charge in the liquid phase and close the circuit in order to
maintain charge flux.
, Major function all cells perform
1. transport process
2. removing waste
3. reproduction
4. produce energy
Aqueous solution
- H2O is solvent (universal solvent)
- Solute = hydrophilic nature (Acid, base, salts) - Importance:
o Particles move freely in random motion
o Solute dissociate form electrolyte, make solution= good conductor of
electricity o Strong acid/base dissociate completely (strong electrolyte),
weak-> partially dissociate, less conductivity
Composition of human/ animal body
Water= 60-70% BW
Intracellular fluid
Extracellular fluid (plasma & interstitial fluid)
Compartments: separated by cell membranes &wall of blood vessels
Water molecules move by osmosis
Functions of water in body
- Polar molecule, slight sidedness in charge (+&-)
- Hydrogen bonds gives most feature o Solvent (plasma)
o Transport nutrient, O2, hormones o
Remove waste products o Digestion
(hydrolysis) o Maintains body temperature
o Important lubricant (joint, eye, mouth,
GIT, lungs, urogenital tract) o Protective
cushion (amniotic fluid)
o Provide structure o Chemical reactions
o Acid base balance (bicarbonate buffer)
Properties of water
- Polarity
- Cohesion (hold subs tgt, transport water column in plants)
- Adhesion (clinging of one subs to another, water adheres to wall of vessels)
- Surface tension (resist stretching/breaking)
- High specific heat
Biochemistry- study of the chemistry of living organisms
Protein: carry out work of cells
Lipids: membrane components and storage of energy
Carbohydrates: source of energy
Nucleic acids: DNA & RNA
Biochemical activity modulated by:
• Cell communication
• Reception of signals (neurotransmitters, hormone)
• Second messengers
Metabolism
- Catabolism: breakdown big molecules into simpler building blocks, release energy
(ATP)
- Anabolism: combine building blocks to form larger molecule, requires energy
Importance of compartmentalization
- Separation of processes
- Specialization of function
- Effective metabolic control
- Protection from hydrolysis
Metabolism in cytosol
• Glycolysis
• PPP
• Gluconeogenesis (interplay btw cytosol & mito)
• Urea synthesis (interplay btw cytosol & mito)
• Purine/Pyrimidine biosynthesis
• Lipid biosynthesis (FA synthesis)
• Protein biosynthesis
,In mitochondria
• TCA cycle
• ETC
• Oxidative phosphorylation
• Β-oxidation of FA
• Ketone body formation
Golgi apparatus
• Protein sorting
Cell chemical composition
Cells- basic building blocks of living things
Structure support, nutrient intake, conversion to energy and other specialized functions
Chemical composition (Elements: C, H, O, P, S, N- 99%)
- Water (>70%)
- Inorganic ions
- Organic molecules
Organic substances
• Slightly soluble in water, readily soluble in organic solvent ie. ether/alcohol
• Do not release ions (not electrolyte)
• Most belong to 4 classes of molecules: carbs, lipids, proteins and nucleic acid
• Macromolecule formed from polymerization of low molecular weight precursors
Inorganic substances
• Dissolve in water or react with water to release ions (electrolytes)
• 4 key inorganic substances
o Water o
Oxygen o
Carbon dioxide o
Minerals
• Ions: Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, HPO4 2-, Cl-, HCO3-
Role of electrolytes – carry charge in the liquid phase and close the circuit in order to
maintain charge flux.
, Major function all cells perform
1. transport process
2. removing waste
3. reproduction
4. produce energy
Aqueous solution
- H2O is solvent (universal solvent)
- Solute = hydrophilic nature (Acid, base, salts) - Importance:
o Particles move freely in random motion
o Solute dissociate form electrolyte, make solution= good conductor of
electricity o Strong acid/base dissociate completely (strong electrolyte),
weak-> partially dissociate, less conductivity
Composition of human/ animal body
Water= 60-70% BW
Intracellular fluid
Extracellular fluid (plasma & interstitial fluid)
Compartments: separated by cell membranes &wall of blood vessels
Water molecules move by osmosis
Functions of water in body
- Polar molecule, slight sidedness in charge (+&-)
- Hydrogen bonds gives most feature o Solvent (plasma)
o Transport nutrient, O2, hormones o
Remove waste products o Digestion
(hydrolysis) o Maintains body temperature
o Important lubricant (joint, eye, mouth,
GIT, lungs, urogenital tract) o Protective
cushion (amniotic fluid)
o Provide structure o Chemical reactions
o Acid base balance (bicarbonate buffer)
Properties of water
- Polarity
- Cohesion (hold subs tgt, transport water column in plants)
- Adhesion (clinging of one subs to another, water adheres to wall of vessels)
- Surface tension (resist stretching/breaking)
- High specific heat
