Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Essay Example

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Introduction: The concepts of biochemistry and molecular biology are slightly different yet related to eachother. While molecular biology is determined on an understanding of the molecular activities within a living organism, the study of biochemistry focuses on the findings obtained as a result of the molecular biology thus enhancing the knowledge on the different molecular and cellular processes within the living organism (Wilson & Walker, 2010, p.1). The present study has taken into consideration certain molecular processes and thus presents a detailed report on the study conducted on the topics as reflected in the further sections. 1. Functions of Water in Biological Systems: Scientists have long been interested in understanding the role of water in the biological functions focusing immensely on the structure and properties of water as well. Water has been obtained as the primary constituent of all living organisms. Be it plants or animals, the water has its role in the process of metabolism. It is required in the process of photosynthesis where light energy is utilized splitting the water molecule such that the hydrogen gets separated and the oxygen is released in the air. Many substances in the body are hydrolyzed by water as well. For example, it is capable of breaking amino acids bonds in proteins and peptide linkages of monosaccharide in polysaccharides. Diffusion of several materials is also obtained through the component of water (Saint, 2004). Water helps in the transport of different substances within the body since it easily dissolves other materials and thus acts as a good solvent. This function of the water also enables the removal of waste products like ammonia and urea from the body. Water being capable of diluting such waste products enables their recycling process in the Nitrogen cycle. Since water is viscous in nature it also acts a good lubricant and form different lubricating fluids in the body that include mucus, synovial fluid, pleural fluid and pericardial fluid having different functions in the body. Apart from all these functions, water also acts as a supporting medium for several organisms since it is not easily condensed. Overall in the biological systems, water has miscellaneous functions that include maintaining body temperature, as well as dispersal in the process of reproduction (Saint, 2004). 2. Structure of Carbohydrates: Monosaccharide, Disaccharide, and Polysaccharide: Carbohydrates are formed as a result of the combinations of carbon and water molecules. In general the carbohydrates may be represented through the formula (CH2O)n. Here C represents the carbon molecules and H2O represents the water molecules, n being the number of atoms of this combination of molecules. However, in some cases carbohydrates might also contain greater numbers of sulphur or nitrogen molecules. If the molecular structure of the carbohydrates is studied, carbons are found to form chains or rings with hydroxyl groups two or more in number along with an aldehyde or a ketone group. There is a carbonyl group at the terminal end of an aldehyde that gets bonded to hydrogen molecule or carbon. A ketone is different from an aldehyde and represents a carbonyl group bonded in between two carbon molecules (Talaro & Park, 2007, p.42). Different configurations are obtained of the carbohydrates. Monosaccharide refers to one of the forms of carbohydrates that represent a simple polyhydroxy aldehyde or molecule of ketone that contain 3 to 7 molecules of carbon. The structure of a disaccharide varies from a monosaccharide in that a disaccharide is formed from two monosaccharides in combination. When five or more monosaccharides combine to form a carbohydrate, then that structure represents a polysaccharide. The monosaccharides and disaccharides are represented by prefix- ose at the end of the name. The name however depends on the number of carbons in the structure. For example, pentose has 5 carbons in it, hexose is composed of 6 carbons, and so on (Talaro & Park, 2007, p.42). 3. Cellulose Structure Functioning in Providing Strength to a Plant: Cellulose is considered as the most significant structural polysaccharide obtained within plants and is also responsible for the strength of the tissues of the plant. This function of the cellulose is associated with its structure since a cellulose molecule is formed of about 10,000 glucose molecules. Around 13-42 percent of the cellulose material can be found in the leaves of a plant. Because of its insoluble nature, cellulose needs to be broken down in order to be transported through the membranes of a cell. The decomposition of the cellulose involves three steps the first of which is depolymerization of the three-dimensional structure converting it into a linear chain (Bloem, Hopkins & Benedetti, 2006, p.144). In the process, different cellulose enzymes have a role to play. Such enzymes that include β-1, 4-endooglucanase, and β-1, 4-exoglucanase function in different conditions that may be aerobic or anaerobic in nature. The enzymes functioning in the process release a molecule called cellobiose. The outer membrane of the cell of microorganisms present in soil can be used to transport the cellobiose molecule. When it reaches the inside of the cell, it gets hydrolysed into glucose molecules by the enzyme β-1, 4-glucosidase. This glucose is then available for use as a source of energy for the processes of microbial metabolism (Bloem, Hopkins & Benedetti, 2006, p.144). The entire process thus associates the structure of the cellulose in its functioning of providing strength to a plant. 4. Globular and Fibrous Proteins: The roles of the proteins in living organisms vary depending on their molecular structures. Fibrous and globular are the two basic forms of proteins found within living organisms. While fibrous proteins perform structural functions in the body, globular proteins have their roles in the metabolic functions. The fibrous proteins are composed of long chains that are structured parallel to each other. Cross bridges link these chains and lead to the formation of highly stable molecules. Examples of fibrous proteins include collagen and keratin. Collagen is a protein that is present in the tissues in need for strength like the tendons. The basic structure of collagen presents repetition of the amino acid sequence glycine-proline-alanine creating an unbranched chain as a result. A triple helix is formed by three such chains that coil around each other. As a result, a flexible structure is formed that cannot be stretched and performs in providing the strength to the tendons. Keratin can be found in the nails and hair (Toole, Toole & Toole, 2002, p.18). In the globular proteins, the amino acid sequences are more varied forming a more compact structure than the fibrous proteins. The structure of the globular protein can be considered like a string rolled in to a ball. Hemoglobin is an example of globular protein that consists of two α-polypeptide chains composed of 141 amino acids, and two β- polypeptide chains composed of 146 amino acids. Haem that contains iron is associated with these structures. Specific shapes of the globular proteins are essential in their functions as hormones and enzymes (Toole, Toole & Toole, 2002, p.18). 5. Enzymes in Medical Diagnosis: Enzymes have been found to play a significant role in the medical practice since it enables the identification of different diseases and provides with the necessary information associated with the disease. The role of the enzymes in diagnosis of diseases can be understood through the following example. The clinical test for Myocardial infarction, which is a disease of the heart leading to death of the cardiac muscle cells, are mostly based on the identification of certain enzymes and proteins that are supposed to get drip out as a result of the tissue being damaged and moves into the blood. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is known to be the first enzyme used for the purpose of the diagnosis of this disease. Creatine kinase (CK) is also now used for the same purpose through the assays for detection (Enzymes and Clinical Medicine, n.d.). Enzymes can be particularly used for the diagnosis of diseases since certain enzymes are not supposed to be found in the stream of blood but inside cells of different tissues and organs. If such enzymes are obtained in the blood stream, it might indicate that some damage has occurred in the organ or in the cellular components of the tissues reflecting a disease. Thus if an assay is performed for the detection of any abnormal activity of the enzymes, diseases can be diagnosed (Stoker, 2012, p.776). 6. Use of Immobilized and Soluble Enzymes in the Industry: Enzymes are said to be immobilized when free or soluble enzymes are attached to them leading to the loss of mobility in the enzyme. Such a process enhances the catalytic function of the enzyme. The use of immobilized enzymes has been obtained in comparison to the soluble enzymes and are thus in gradual demand in the industry. Biosensors that are devices capable of detecting biological species make use of the immobilized enzymes thus enhancing their processes more than before. The use of immobilized enzymes has greatly increased in the medicinal industry where enzymes are mostly used for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Productions of antibiotics also require enzymatic reactions in their processes thus increasing the use of immobilized enzymes in the antibiotic industry (Khan & Alzohairy, 2010, pp.565-575). The use of immobilized enzymes has also been relevant in the processing of food products thus increasing its use in the food industry as well. Immobilized enzymes have been able to facilitate the production process of several food substances including high fructose corn syrups. Biodiesel industry has also concerned the use of immobilized enzymes where fuel has been able to be formed by the transesterification of triglycerides performing significantly as renewable, biodegradable and nontoxic fuels. Immobilized enzymes have also enhanced their uses in the process of bioremediation (Khan & Alzohairy, 2010, pp.565-575). Thus this reflects on the increasing and significant use of immobilized enzymes in different industries. Conclusion: The study has taken into consideration six different topics based on the study of biochemistry and molecular biology and thus conducted a detailed learning on the topics. The topics reflect on the various biochemical and metabolic processes that take place either in plants or in the living organisms. The role of enzymes has also been learnt in the process. An understanding on these topics proves to be of huge significance for one’s knowledge of functions of lives. References 1) Bloem, J., Hopkins, D.W. & A. Benedetti (2006), Microbiological methods for assessing soil quality, Oxfordshire: CABI 2) Enzymes and Clinical Medicine (n.d.), OUP, available at: http://www.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780195305753/pdf/Enzymes.pdf 3) Khan, A.A. & M.A. Alzohairy (2010), Recent Advances and Applications of Immobilized Enzyme Technologies: A Review, Research Journal of Biological Sciences, Vol.5, Iss.8, pp.565-575, available at: http://medwelljournals.com/fulltext/?doi=rjbsci.2010.565.575 (accessed on February 27, 2012) 4) Saint, P. (2004), The Importance of Water in Biological Systems, h2g2, available at: http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/A2429282 (accessed on February 27, 2012) 5) Stoker, H.S. (2012), General, Organic or Biological Chemistry, Connecticut: Cengage Learning 6) Talaro & K. Park (2007), Foundations in Microbiology’ 2007 Ed. (sixth Edition) 2007 Edition, Philippines: Rex Bookstore, Inc. 7) Toole, A.G., Toole, G. & S.M. Toole (2002), Essential AS Biology, Cheltenham, Nelson Thornes 8) Wilson, K. & J. Walker (2010), Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Read More