Introduction to Biochemistry and Cell Organization in Pharmacy

Explore biochemistry fundamentals, key scientists, cell structures, and their roles in pharmacy, including drug design, metabolism, and cellular functions.

Transcript

1. INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY & CELL ORGANIZATION PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
2. INTRODUCTION Definition: Biochemistry is the "chemistry of living cells". It studies the chemical substances and reactions occurring inside living organisms, acting as a bridge between biology and chemistry. Key Elements: Living matter is mainly composed of six basic elements: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur (CHNOPS). These make up about 90% of the dry weight of the human body. PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
3. HISTORY OF BIOCHEMISTRY Origin of Name: Coined in 1903 by German chemist Carl Neuberg (often called the Father of Biochemistry). Key Milestones: Late 19th Century: Major progress in understanding the chemistry of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Nucleic Acid Research: Modern molecular biology developed rapidly through the work of scientists like Frederick Sanger and Har Gobind Khorana.
4. KEY SCIENTISTS & DISCOVERIES Scientist Major Contribution Friedrich Wöhler First to synthesize an organic compound (urea) from an inorganic substance (ammonium cyanate). Eduard Buchner Showed that cell-free yeast extract can ferment sugar into alcohol. Hans Krebs Discovered the Citric Acid Cycle (TCA / Krebs Cycle). Avery & MacLeod Proved that DNA is the genetic material. Albert Lehninger Identified that the TCA cycle occurs inside mitochondria. Watson & Crick Proposed the double-helix model of DNA. M. W. Nirenberg Deciphered the genetic code in mRNA. PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
5. IMPORTANCE OF BIOCHEMISTRY IN PHARMACY Explains how living systems function at a molecular level. Helps synthesize, design, and discover new drug molecules. Aids in diagnosing metabolic disorders and nutritional deficiency diseases. Essential for understanding enzyme-drug interactions and gene functions. Assists in agricultural and veterinary developments (e.g., pesticides, animal breeding). PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
6. SCOPE OF BIOCHEMISTRY IN PHARMACY Agriculture: Enables the development of diseaseresistant crops, high-yield varieties, and plant-derived medicines. PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
7. CELL AND ITS BIOCHEMICAL ORGANIZATION Definition: The fundamental structural and functional unit of all living organisms. Discovery: Named by Robert Hooke in 1665 after observing cork compartments under a microscope. Cytology: The scientific study of cell structure and function. PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
8. PROKARYOTES VS. EUKARYOTES Feature Prokaryotes (pro = before, karyon = nucleus) Eukaryotes (eu = true, karyon = nucleus) Size Small (1–10 µm) Larger (10–100 µm) Outer Boundary Rigid cell wall Flexible plasma membrane Nucleus Absent; genetic material sits in the nucleoid without a membrane True nucleus enclosed by a nuclear membrane Organelles Membrane-bound organelles absent Present (mitochondria, ER, Golgi, etc.) Ribosomes 70S 80S Cell Division Binary fission; no mitosis Mitosis and meiosis Examples Bacteria, blue-green algae Plants, animals, fungi PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
9. CELL ORGANELLES: 1. CELL MEMBRANE (PLASMA MEMBRANE) Structure: Lipid bilayer model proposed as the Fluid Mosaic Model by Singer and Nicolson. PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Function: Acts as a selective physical barrier, controls the entry/exit of substances, and facilitates cell-to-cell signaling.
10. CELL ORGANELLES: 2. CELL WALL Structure: Rigid, non-living outer layer found outside the membrane in plants (made of cellulose/hemicellulose) and fungi (chitin). Function: Provides structural shape, mechanical protection, and prevents excessive water swelling/bursting. PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
11. CELL ORGANELLES: 3. CYTOSOL AND CYTOSKELETON Cytosol: Liquid matrix of the cell where primary biochemical pathways occur (e.g., glycolysis in prokaryotes/eukaryotes). Cytoskeleton: Internal protein scaffolding consisting of: Microfilaments: Provide mechanical support and assist in cell movement/muscle contraction. Microtubules: Offer structural stability and anchor organelles. PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Intermediate Filaments: Aid cell-to-cell adhesion and tissue strength.
12. CELL ORGANELLES: 4. NUCLEUS Structure: Double-membrane organelle discovered by Robert Brown (1831). Function: Known as the "brain of the cell"; stores genetic material (DNA), directs cellular activities, and synthesizes ribosomal subunits via the nucleolus. (Mature mammalian RBCs lack a nucleus). PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
13. CELL ORGANELLES: 5. MITOCHONDRIA Structure: Double-membraned; the inner membrane forms folds called cristae, enclosing the fluid-filled matrix. Discovered by Albert von Kölliker. Function: Known as the "Powerhouse of the Cell". Generates cellular energy (ATP) via aerobic respiration, housing the Krebs cycle in the matrix and the Electron Transport System (ETS) on the inner membrane/cristae. PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
14. CELL ORGANELLES: 6. ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM (ER) Structure: Interconnected network of flat membranous sacs (cisternae). Types & Functions: PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Rough ER (RER): Studded with ribosomes; synthesizes and processes proteins and glycoproteins. Smooth ER (SER): Lacks ribosomes; synthesizes lipids, phospholipids, and steroids, and assists in drug/toxin metabolism.
15. CELL ORGANELLES: 7. GOLGI APPARATUS Structure: Stack of membrane-bound flattened discs (dictyosomes) discovered by Camillo Golgi. Has a receiving face (cis-face) and an exit face (trans-face). PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Function: Modifies, packages, and sorts proteins received from the ER (by glycosylation/sulfation) for export or delivery to other organelles (like lysosomes and peroxisomes).
16. CELL ORGANELLES: 8. LYSOSOMES Structure & Nature: Spherical, single-membrane vesicles containing about 60 types of digestive (hydrolytic) enzymes. Discovered by Christian de Duve. Optimal Condition: Enzymes function best in an acidic environment (pH ~5). Key Identifiers: • Known as "Suicidal Bags" because their enzymes can break down the cell itself (autolysis). • Acid phosphatase is used as their marker enzyme. PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Functions: • Destroys invading bacteria and foreign materials. • Cleans up excess glandular secretory products. • Removes unneeded
17. CELL ORGANELLES: 9. PEROXISOMES Structure: Single-membrane, spherical or oval microbodies containing the enzyme catalase. Discovered by Christian de Duve (1955). Functions: PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY • Detoxification: Converts toxic hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) into harmless water (H2 O) and oxygen (O2 ) using catalase. • Metabolism: Carries out 𝛽-oxidation of fatty acids.
18. CELL ORGANELLES: 10. CENTROSOME Location & Structure: Situated near the nucleus, composed of a pair of centrioles made of microtubules embedded in pericentriolar material. Functions: Serves as the main microtubule-organizing center. Assembles microtubules in non-dividing cells. Forms the mitotic spindle to separate chromosomes during cell division. PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
19. CELL ORGANELLES: 11. FLAGELLA VS. CILIA Feature Flagella Cilia Definition Long, thread-like surface appendages Short, hair-like surface projections Length & Count Long; fewer in number Short; present in large numbers per cell Movement Slow, wave-like / undulating motion Fast, coordinated rotational / motorlike beating Occurrence Found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes Found only in eukaryotes Function Locomotion only Locomotion and feeding PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
20. CELL ORGANELLES: 12. RIBOSOMES Composition: Granular complexes made of ribosomal RNA and ribonucleoproteins. Subunit Structure: Built from two subunits (one large, one small). • Prokaryotes (70S): 50S (large) + 30S (small). • Eukaryotes (80S): 60S (large) + 40S (small). • (Note: "S" stands for Svedberg unit, a measure of sedimentation rate). Functions: • Membrane-bound Ribosomes (on ER): Produce proteins destined for cell membrane insertion or external secretion. • Free Cytosolic Ribosomes: Synthesize proteins utilized directly inside the cytosol. PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
21. THANK YOU PAWAN KUMAR SAHU LECTURER AT RUDAULI COLLEGE OF PHARMACY