Biochemical Foundations of Human Vital Activity - Volkov N.I., Nesen E.N. 2000

Biochemical Foundations of Human Vital Activity
Introduction to Biochemistry
Transformation of Macromolecules

Organic molecules in living organisms undergo constant Physical and Chemical transformations. The rate of Chemical Reactions in the body varies over a wide range (Fig. 5). For example, the rate of many enzymatic reactions is a few milliseconds (10-3 s), Conformational Changes in the DNA helix take microseconds (10-6 s), and the rate of reactions responsible for Visual Perception is within the picosecond range (10-12 s). The rate of metabolic transformation is regulated by biological catalysts—Enzymes—as well as by the hormonal and nervous systems.

Class="center">

Fig. 5. Rates of biochemical reactions

METABOLISM involves conformational changes in macromolecules, the Synthesis and Breakdown of various substances, and the generation and consumption of energy, all of which underpin the physiological Functions of the body. Changes in the conformation of key Muscle Proteins—Actin and Myosin—along with the utilization of chemical energy from ATP, form The basis of Muscle contraction. Along with mechanisms of energy production, Protein Biosynthesis, substance transport, and other biochemical reactions, these processes undergo significant alterations under The Influence of various physical loads and during adaptation thereto, ultimately affecting the physical performance and health status of the athlete.

The issues discussed above will serve as a fundamental guide for studying the basics of the biochemistry of muscular activity. Mastering them will provide substantial assistance in training highly qualified specialists in the fields of physical education and sports.

Review Questions   

1. What is the subject of study in biochemistry?

2. What Research Methods are used in biochemistry?

3. What are the MAIN OBJECTIVES OF Sports Biochemistry?

4. Which chemical elements and substances make up The Human Body?

5. From what low-molecular-weight substances are the high-molecular-weight Organic compounds of the body synthesized?

6. List the principal cyclic compounds that are components of many organic molecules.

7. How is the general formula of a substance written? What functional groups and corresponding classes of substances do you know?

8. What is meant by a high-energy chemical bond in molecules? Provide Examples of substances containing such bonds.

9. Write the structural formula of glucose.

10. What is chemical isomerism, and what is its biological significance?

11. Name the classes of organic compounds and their biological functions in the body.

12. Why is studying the biochemistry of muscular activity important for professionals in physical education and sports?



Last update: 06/08/2026

Editorial and Educational Adaptation: This material has been compiled based on the primary/original source text. The project team performed an editorial review, corrected technical inaccuracies, structured sections, and adapted the content for an educational format.

What was processed:

  • elimination of formatting defects (OCR errors, structural breaks, corrupted characters);
  • editorial organization of content;
  • standardization of terminology in accordance with academic sources;
  • verification of factual statements against the original source text.

All mentions of the author, publication year, and origin of the primary text have been preserved in accordance with the source.