-Chow Ying Qi (69365)
Throughout this lecture class, I have learnt that Biochemistry is a study that uses the language of chemistry to explain biology or to describe how chemical reactions occur in living cells. Biochemistry has a major role in many fields like medicine and clinical.
Firstly, we were given a rough idea about what are the elements in life ,which they are the “backbones” in biomolecules. Most of the biomolecules consist of carbon-containing compounds like carbohydrates. In terms of the structure of biomolecules, carbon atoms can form single, double and triple bonds with other carbon atoms or other atoms like H ( hydrogen), N ( nitrogen ), O ( oxygen ), then covalently linked the molecules to form linear chain, branched chains and cyclic structures as well.
Besides, I also learnt that biomolecules are also called as organic compounds. Below are the including groups with their functional group: alcohol (-OH), aldehyde and ketones (-C=O), carboxylic acids (-COOH) , thiol (-SH) and amines (-NH2 ). For your information, the functional group determines the chemical properties of the biomolecules.
Biomolecules are divided into 2 groups: biological micromolecule and biological macromolecule. Basically, larger macromolecules are just polymers of micromolecules. For example, nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides and proteins are polymers of amino acids. Additionally, biomolecules tend to cluster together to form a more complex structure, for instance, lipid and protein form cell membranes.
Mainly, a cell is formed through monomeric units -> macromolecules -> supramolecular complexes -> the cell and it’s organelle. For example, cell wall of plants is made up of cellulose, where cellulose is made up polymer of carbohydrates (sugar). Each of the organelles in the cell play their role respectively : Nucleus is located in the main genome ,site of most DNA and RNA synthesis. Plus, mitochondrion is the “powerhouse” ,which generate ATP to the cell.
As a conclusion, biomolecules is the most basic knowledge when introduced to biochemistry. Having a strong core in Biochemistry helps a lot in our future work.
-Kee Bee Hoon (70059)
” Life is defined by its chemistry! “
This is my first biochemistry class with my lecturer, Dr. Rosmawati. I really enjoyed the class as Dr. gave her lesson on a funny and interesting way that always caught my attention. Throughout the lesson 1, I have been exposed and learnt more on biochemistry.
Firstly, biochemistry is describes as the discipline that uses the principles and language of chemistry to explain biology. It play a significant role in different fields such as agriculture, industry besides medical and clinical. Thus, with the knowledge in biochemistry, we are able to understand how everything in our world functions and thus improve our living live. For instance, to develop new and improved antibiotics and medications to control the outbreak of a disease.
Furthermore, i have also learnt that biochemistry can be divided into three areas of study, that is conformational, metabolism and informational. In conformational aspect, i have understand more on the basic structure of biomolecules and chemical elements of life such that there are six nonmetallic elements that account for more than 97% of the weight of most organisms which include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulfur (CHNOPS).However, in metabolism aspect, it is more to facts on biochemical pathways such as Krebs cycle, energy production and utilization , whereas, in informational aspect, it explain more on the language for communication inside and between cells like signal transduction.
In addition, biochemistry is important as it allows us to understand more on the biological function of the molecules. Generally, biomolecules tend to cluster together, forming increasing more complex structures such as cytoskeleton, a structure form from the combination of fibrous protein structure which helps cells in maintaining their shape and internal organization besides provides mechanical support that enables cells to carry out essential functions like division and movement.
All in all, I have benefit a lot from the first lesson of biochemistry class. My interest towards this subject increase gradually and I am looking forward to the next lecture class with Dr. Rosmawati.
-LEE JIE YING (70148)
I am so grateful that I chose Dr.Rosmawati as my biochemistry lecturer. Through this lecture, I have learnt that biochemistry is the study of life on a molecular level. Besides, biochemistry also describes the chemistry of the living cell. I also have learnt about the two major breakthroughs in the history of biochemistry that the discovery of the roles of enzymes as catalysts and the role of nucleic acids as information-carrying molecules.
Furthermore, biochemistry also applicable to agriculture for herbicides and pesticides production and transgenic crops. It also apply for industry for the production of industrial and research materials like enzyme. Biochemistry also can be divided into three areas of study that are conformational, metabolism and informational.
I learnt that there are six non-metallic elements that are carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus and sulfur. These elements are the backbone of biomolecules because they are capable of forming strong covalent bonds. Most of the solid material of cells consists of carbon-containing compounds which carbon can form single, double and triple bonds with other atoms. Biomolecules divide into micromolecules and macromolecules.
As a conclusion, biochemistry is very interesting because biochemistry is a major subjects that can help in others works.
Biochemisrty E-Portfolio 