BIOMOLECULES IN CELLS

-Major

biomolecules in cells -Function of biomolecules Carbohydrate, lipid, protein, DNA, RNA -Cell isolation technique -Homogenization and centrifugation

Introduction to Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the study of chemistry of life process Great unity of all living things at biochemical level

Single-celled organisms present with great diversity in soil, water or with other living organisms eg: protozoa, yeast and bacteria Large organisms are built from single cells At biochemical level all organisms have many common features

Basing on the biochemical characteristics the organisms are classified into 2 fundamental groups 1) Prokaryotes 2) Eukaryotes

bacteria

Organisms with out nucleus Prokaryotes

Prokaryotes are again differentiated into separate domains basing on biochemical characteristics 1) bacteria 2)archaea Well differentiated nucleus - Eukaryotes
Eukaryotes Archaea (red color)

Biochemical Molecules of Cell

Two different classes
1)

high molecular weight eg: nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) & proteins

2) low molecular weight eg: carbohydrates, lipids (metabolites)

high molecular weight molecules

DNA Stores genetic information in all cellular organisms RNA key for synthesis of proteins and also DNA Proteins all proteins are made of 20 amino acids (the building blocks of protein)

Proteins function is similar in different organisms often similar 3D structure eg: Insulin

Composition of DNA

DNA is double stranded and composed of

1)pentose sugar back bone (deoxy ribose), 2)phospho diester bonds 3) Nitrogen bases Purines (Adenine, Guanine), Pyrimidines (Cytosine, Thymine)

Composition RNA & Proteins

RNA is single stranded and composed of 1) pentose sugar back bone (ribose), 2) phospho diester bonds 3) purines (Adenine, Guanine) and pyramidines (Cytosine, Uracil) mRNA, tRNA & rRNA

All Proteins (monomers and dimers) are made of 20 amino acids linked by peptide bonds

Functions of DNA, RNA & Proteins

DNA - hereditary material which transfers information one generation to other RNA helps in formation of proteins (transcription)

Different types of RNA basing on function mRNA (messenger RNA) directs proteins to ribosome directs tRNA (transfer RNA) directs amino acids to ribosomes, rRNA (ribosomal RNA) links amino acids to form proteins PROTEINS will function as directed by the genome eg: Immunoglobulins, Albumin, Ferritin, Insulin etc.

Low molecular weight molecules

Key metabolic process is common in all cells (metabolites) Eg: Carbohydrates and lipids

The set of chemical transformations that converts glucose & oxygen into CO2 and H2O is SAME for single cell organism and human beings
These observations suggests that human beings evolved from microorganisms

Composition of carbohydrates and lipids

Carbohydrates Sugars Eg: glucose, fructose, galactose, lactose, maltose, sucrose

Lipids basic form is glycerol Eg: palmitic acid,Cholestrol,Triacylglycerols,

Function

The main function of carbohydrates and lipids is production of energy by oxidative process.

Carbohydrate 1 gm 4 calories Lipids 1 gm 9 calories Proteins 1 gm 4 calories

Cell isolation techniques

Centrifugation Chromatography Electrophoresis

Centrifugation

Macromolecules are insensitive to gravitational setting random bombardment of molecules in the solution out weighs the gravitational force.

Centrifugation - increasing the gravitational potential energy of macromolecules by enclosing in the vessel rotating at high speed.

Components of centrifuges
Basic components of centrifuge
1)

Metal rotor with holes to accommodate vessel of liquid

A motor for spinning the rotor at selected speed

2)

Applications

isolation and determination the biological properties and functions of subcellular organelles and large molecules. Determination of properties of cells - surface tension, relative viscosity of the cytoplasm, and the spatial and functional interrelationship of cell organelles.

Different types of centrifuges

1)

Desktop centrifuge (3000 rpm) RBC, yeast cells

2)

High speed centrifuge (25,000 rpm) cell debris, cells, large molecular organelles, immunoproteins
Ultra centrifuge(75,000) proteins, DNA, RNA

3)

Homogenization

It is a process in which a mixture is made uniform throughout.

This procedure involves reducing the size of the particles of one component of the mixture and dispersing them evenly throughout the other component.

Homogenizer

homogenizer blades are lowered into a beaker of the solution and ran at very high speeds. The solution is drawn up into the blade and shot out a very small in hole in the shaft of the blade assembly.

Particle reduction is very quick at these high speeds.

Applications

most familiar example of a homogenized product is commercially sold milk. It makes milk smoother mouthfeel and flavor.

Dreams

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