Ferhat Abbas University Setif 1 Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences

Department of Common Base Module‫׃‬CET

Academic year: 2021/2022 Ms. Keffi

Biochemistry

Definition :
Biochemistry is a multidisciplinary field, where Biology and Chemistry are combined, in order to understand the
processes taking place in living organisms and ways to optimize them as much as possible. The main fields of
Biochemistry are Molecular Genetics, Protein Science, and Metabolism.

The importance of Biochemistry

 Biochemistry can help you increase your crop productivity.

 It is critical for enhancing land quality by preserving vegetables and flowers, as well as assisting in the preparation
and preservation of food materials.
 It is necessary to understand the actions of numerous genes as well as their interactions with enzymes.
 It is useful in determining the nutritional requirements of animals.
 It aids in the provision of adequate nutrition and the elimination of malnutrition.
 To understand heredity in plants and animals, geneticists rely on metabolic reactions.
 It aids in the discovery of new drugs in the pharmaceutical industry.
 It explains how to use medications properly.
 It is beneficial in the treatment of sick people and animals.

What Types of Molecules Do Biochemists Study?

Carbohydrates Sugar molecules. Along with proteins and fats, carbohydrates are one of three
main nutrients found in foods and drinks.
Lipids Any of a diverse group of organic compounds including fats, oils, hormones, and
certain components of membranes that are grouped together because they do not
interact appreciably with water.
Proteins Highly complex substance that is present in all living organisms. Proteins are of
great nutritional value and are directly involved in the chemical processes
essential for life.
Nucleic acids Nucleic acids are naturally occurring chemical compounds that serve as the
primary information-carrying molecules in cells. They play an especially
important role in directing protein synthesis.

Branches of Biochemistry
 - Enzymology: It studies the behavior of the enzymes and the biological catalysts like some of the proteins and the
catalytic RNA along with the co-enzyme and the cofactors such as vitamins and metals.

- Immunology: It studies the reaction of the organisms to the other organisms such as bacteria and viruses. This takes
into account the entire reaction in immune functioning of living organisms. It essentially studies the behavior of the
development and production of antibiotics.

- Molecular Biology: It aims at studying the processes that take place in living organisms from a molecular point. It
investigates in detail the disintegration as well as the integration of the molecules for making upper living beings. It
also studies the behavior of the macromolecules such as DNA RNA enzymes and hormones extra within the cell.
- Metabolism: It aims at studying the various types of metabolic pathway at cellular level and organic context. It is an
essential skill of enzymology and cell Biology. Big metabolism is considered as the biochemical reaction that makes
life possible.
- Cell Biology: It is dedicated to the study of morphology and physiology of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The study of
cell Biology deals with the properties of biochemical composition structures organelles function and their interaction
with the environment and the life cycle. Knowing the intrinsic cellular life processes during cell cycle suggest
respiration synthesis of components cell division nutrition defense mechanism and cell death it is an essential area of
study.

The Uses of Biochemistry

Biochemistry is used to learn about the biological processes which take place in cells and organisms.
Biochemistry may be used to study the properties of biological molecules, for a variety of purposes. For example, a
biochemist may study the characteristics of the keratin in hair so that shampoo may be developed that enhances
curliness or softness.
Biochemists find uses for biomolecules. For example, a biochemist may use a certain lipid as a food additive.
Alternatively, a biochemist might find a substitute for a usual biomolecule. For example, biochemists help to develop
artificial sweeteners.
Biochemists can help cells to produce new products. Gene therapy is within the realm of biochemistry. The development
of biological machinery falls within the realm of biochemistry.

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The Uses of the Simple Past Tense

 Completed action in the past: It is used to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in
the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in
mind.

Example‫׃‬I saw a movie yesterday.

 A series of completed actions: We use the simple past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These
actions happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.
Example‫׃‬I finished school, walked to the house, and found my friend on my way home.

 Duration in the past: The simple past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is
a longer action often indicated by expressions such as for two years, for five minutes, all day, all year, etc.

Example‫׃‬She studied English for seven years.

 Habits in the past: The simple past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the
same meaning as used to. To make it clear that we are talking about a habit, we often add expressions such as
always, often, usually, never, when I was a child, when I was younger, etc.

Example‫׃‬They never went to school, they always skipped class.

 Past facts or generalizations: The simple past can also be used to describe past facts or generalizations which are
no longer true.

Example‫׃‬She was shy as a child, but now she is very outgoing.

Task 01

Complete the sentences with the right verb(s) below (simple past form) Buy,
catch, cost, drink, fall, hurt, sell, spend, teach, throw, win, write.

1. Mozart ……… more than 600 pieces of music.

2. 'How did you learn to drive?' 'My father ………… me.'
3. We couldn't afford to keep our car, so we ………. it.
4. I was very thirsty. I ……… the water very quickly.
5. Paul and I played tennis yesterday. He's much better than me, so he………. easily.
6. Don …….down the stairs this morning and ……… his leg.
7. Jim ………. the ball to Sue, who ……… it.
8. Ann ……. a lot of money yesterday. She …….a dress. It …….. 100.

Task 02

Write a short paragraph about your experience as a first year student in

university.