BIOCHEMISTRY

Biochemistry - study of the life processes of chemical reactions in a cell.

Cell

 

 

Cell Membrane

Function:
        a. Structure and boundary of cell
        b. Barrier - what may enter and leave the cell
        c. Communication between cells

Composition:
        Protein-lipid bilayer with sugar attached

Permeability:
        a. Organic solvents dissolve the lipids; organics enter the cell easily.
        b. Sugars on surface act as receptors-attachment for drugs, hormones.

Cytoplasm

Fluid inside the cell support for organelles - transport

Nucleus

Blueprint for the cell
Contains strands called chromosomes. Chromosomes come in pairs; humans have 23 pairs or 46 chromosomes total.
The chromosomes are made up of segments called genes.
The message for coding proteins is located in genes.
DNA - deoxyribonucleic acids and proteins
DNA is what codes what the cell synthesizes.

Endoplasmic Reticulum and Ribosomes
Function: Protein-sythesizing factory of the cell

 

Mitochondria

Function: energy powerhouse of the cell
What happens: Sugars and fats are broken down to acetate units:

 

Wednesday, March 21, 2007 01:28:03 PM