Structural Biochemistry - Study Guide - E. A. Bessolitsyna 2015

Biochemistry is the science concerned with The Structure of molecules found in living organisms, as well as the metabolic processes and transformations they undergo within an Organism or Cell.

While the term "biochemistry" was used sporadically from the mid-19th century, in its classical sense it was formally proposed and introduced to the scientific community in 1903 by the German chemist Carl Neuberg.

Biochemistry is a natural extension of organic chemistry. Indeed, many molecules—such as alcohols, heterocycles, and others—serve as subjects of research for organic chemists.

One of the primary goals of biochemistry is to study the structure, physicochemical properties, and Functions of molecules that make up living systems. Many of these molecules are investigated by both biochemists and organic chemists. Furthermore, research into the molecular composition of living organisms has revealed an immense variety of molecules, particularly Proteins, possessing highly diverse Properties and functions. On one hand, this expands The Scope of information to be mastered; on the other hand, it leaves less time to absorb new data. Consequently, biochemists have been compelled, so to speak, to focus exclusively on those groups of compounds found exclusively in living systems, leaving the remaining classes of compounds to organic chemists.

This gave rise to the branch of biochemistry known as "Structural Biochemistry." Structural biochemistry investigates the structure, Physical and Chemical properties, and functions of these molecules. As analysis has shown, only living organisms feature molecules belonging to four major classes: CARBOHYDRATES (Monosaccharides AND THEIR polymers, Polysaccharides), NUCLEOTIDES and their polymers (Nucleic Acids), Amino Acids and their polymers (proteins), and Lipids. While lipids do not form traditional polymers, they do assemble into supramolecular structures known as membranes.

This textbook focuses on structural biochemistry, examining the four classes of compounds unique to biological systems. It outlines the Classification and Structure of molecules according to their Class, along with their physicochemical properties and biological functions. In addition, the text explores specific molecular characteristics that determine their unique behaviors—such as the structural features, properties, and functioning of Introduction/36.html">Biological Membranes, which stem from the specific properties and interactions of the lipids and proteins that comprise them.