BCH 211: General Biochem-

istry I

Credit Units: 3

Course Coordinator: Adefolalu, A. A.

 Course Content/Lecturers
S/ TOPIC LECTURER PERIOD
N
1. Introduction: Biochemistry as a Life Science Adefolalu, A. A 1 week
2. Classification, Properties and Functions of Terna, T. P. 2 weeks
Carbohydrates and Lipids
3. Classification and Functions of Vitamins and Seriki 1 week
Coenzymes
4. 1st CA
5. Classification and functions of Amino acids Adamude, A. F. 1 week
6. Classifications and Functions of Proteins and Adamude, A. F. 2 weeks
Nucleic acids
7. Metabolism: Biosynthesis and Degradation of Adefolalu, A. A. 1 week
Macromolecules
8. 2nd CA
9. Revision and Tutorials Adefolalu, A. A., 2 weeks
Adamude, A. F.,
Terna, T. P.
Introduction: Biochemistry
as a Life Science

Adefolalu, Adedotun A.
Department of Biochemistry
Federal University, Lafia
 Course Objectives:
 To introduce students to Biochemistry as
a field of study
 To discuss basic organic molecules with respect
to their classifications, functions and properties
With the cell, biology discovered its atom . . .
To characterize life, it was henceforth essen-
tial to study the cell and analyze its structure:
to single out the common denominators, nec-
essary for the life of every cell; alternatively, to
identify differences associated with the per-
formance of special functions.
—François Jacob, La logique du vivant: une histoire de l’hérédité
(The Logic of Life: A History of Heredity), 1970
Biochemistry: A brief Synopsis

The Chemistry of Biology?!!!

The Structural-Functional Unit of Life (Greek-
Bios)…
…the science concerned with the chemical
constituents of living cells and the reactions
and processes they undergo.
… chemical composition, metabolism, nutri-
tion, energetics, enzyme function, transfer of
genetic information, membrane properties,
cellular organization, and molecular dis-
eases of living organisms
…WHY???????!!!!!!
The processes that allow living things to grow,
multiply, age, and die are all biochemical in na-
ture!!!
… life depends on biochemical reactions
and processes
Biochemistry majorly involves the complete
understanding of all of the chemical pro-
cesses associated with living cells at the
molecular level.
The Cell: A prison of sorts…
 The working apparatus of the cell is im-
prisoned within the “bars” — known as the
cell membrane.

 Just as a prison inmate can still commu-

nicate with the outside world, so can the
cell contents.
…
 The prisoner must be fed, so nutrients
must be able to enter every living cell.
There is a sanitary system for the elimina-
tion of waste.

 And, just as inmates may work to provide

materials for society outside the prison, a
cell may produce materials for life outside
the cell.
Types of Cells
 Water
Water is one of the lead actors in Biochemistry.
Our bodies are about 70 percent water. Water
plays a role in the transport of material to and
from cells. And many, many aqueous solutions
take part in the biochemical reactions in the
body.
 The Fundamentals of H 2 O
Water is essential to life; in fact, human beings are es-
sentially big sacks of
water. Water accounts for 60–95 percent of our living
cells, and 55 percent
of the water in the human body is in intracellular fluids.
The remaining
45 percent (extracellular) is divided between the follow-
ing:
Water also is necessary as a solvent for the multitude of
biochemical reactions that occur in the body:
Water’s most important biochemical
role: The solvent

Why is carbon important in the study of life?!

 Sources of Grants
 The search for grants starts with research
- after all of the information has been
gathered and entered on the grant writer’s
computer, the search can begin for
grants.
 Which federal / state governmental fund-
ing sources might have grants available to
meet the needs of the citizens served by
that agency?
 Which foundation profiles match the citi-
zens’ needs? A good Website to start with
is www.foundationcenter.org
 Sources of Grants
 Which businesses in the area served by
the agency might be encouraged to con-
tribute?
 Meet with your state senator and repre-
sentative and ask for information on spe-
cific funding sources that might fund your
program.
 Internet: most funding sources list their
programs and the application procedures
on their Website. Often, the entire RFP
can be downloaded.
 Your professional Body / Association
 Sourcing for Grants
 Mentors can direct you to a list of funding
sources.
 Get Request For Proposals in the media –
it means funds are readily available
 Research Africa platform
 Check with development agencies in your
field / geographic area
 Check out what others have gotten fund-
ing for or look at proposals funded last
year.
 Even the greatest proposals must wait for
the right match!
 Linkages: increasing funding chances
 Cooperation is the key word in obtaining
grant funding.
 Teaming up with others providing similar
services to submit a single application.
 Public/private partnerships can be formed
e.g. a crime-fighting program involving
both local police departments and social
service agencies can be submitted.
 Total community efforts should be high-
lighted – linkages between business
community and faith-based organizations,
social service agencies, etc.
 Linkages: expanding your reach
 The relationship between you and a fun-
der begins with the submission of a grant
proposal or letter of inquiry.
 The grant writer should then ask each po-
tential funding source for an RFP, or any
type of funding request instructions not
included on the funding agency’s Web-
site.
 Next, the grant writer would revisit the in-
formation on the Internet to see what
should be included in which specific grant
applications.
 Linkages: visiting a prospective funder
o Most grant writers submit grants without
ever speaking to a representative of the
funding source.
o In this highly competitive world, a per-
sonal meeting with a government agency
staff member, a foundation staff member
or trustee, or a business official would be
highly beneficial.
o You would have an opportunity to ask
specific questions about the grant applica-
tion that your competitors simply would
not ask.
 Linkages: visiting a prospective funder
o As you describe your programs, the fund-
ing source representative will gain confi-
dence in your ability to operate programs
effectively.
o You can get tips about specific priorities
and interests of the funding source.
o The initiative you have taken to visit the
funding agency might be helpful when the
decision must be made among several
funding applications.
 Linkages: visiting a prospective funder
o You will get the opportunity to ask several
questions that will make a major differ-
ence in how you write your application,
including:
1. How long should the application be?
2. Why is the funding source providing the
funds?
3. How much money will be granted, and
how many grants will be made?
This will be extremely helpful information if
you can obtain it.
 Linkages and your career development
 provide relevant academic and profes-
sional experience
 Build individual capacity
 Increase and enrich your publication pro-
file
 Enhance your promotion and career
prospects
 Build reputation and authority in your field
 Put your institution on the ‘map’
 Establish life-long friendship
 Make opportunities available for others
 Thank you!

victor.dugga@fulafia.edu.ng