Biochemistry for nurses

What is Biochemistry?

Biochemistry is the study of the structure, composition and chemical

reactions of substances in living systems

BIOLOGY CHEMISTRY+

BIOCHEMISTRY

Biochemistry for nurses

Biochemistry for nurses

Biochemistry for nurses

Some basic knowledges

Some definitions Organization levels of the human body

Biochemistry for nurses

The atom = nucleus + electrons

electron

nucleus

OXYGEN ATOM

The atom is the smallest chemicalComponent of our body ex: hydrogen

(H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N) and carbon (C).

Biochemistry for nurses

The molecule = a group of atoms

The atoms get together to form molecules ex: glucose, amino acids, vitamins…

GLUCOSE

Biochemistry for nurses

A big molecule = a macromolecule

Biochemistry for nurses

Mass composition of our body

Percent of mass:

• 65 % water (H2O) •20 % proteins

•12 % lipids• ~1.5 % nucleic acids

• ~ 1.5 % inorganic molecules (mineral salts)

Biochemistry for nurses

The Cell

Our body is composed by 14 billions of cells. The cell is the

basic unity of any living organism.

Ex: muscular cell, nerve cell…

Biochemistry for nurses

The tissueThe tissue is a grouping of the same type of cells. There are various types of tissues

inside our body ex: Muscle, bone, etc…

Biochemistry for nurses

The organ

An organ is a grouping of differents types of tissues in order to perform

a specific function ex: The heart, the pancreas, the liver, the kidneys

etc…

Biochemistry for nurses

Human organ system

An organ system is a grouping of several organs in order to perform a specific function ex: Digestive system, nervous system, respiratory

system, etc…

Biochemistry for nurses