Biochemistry for Nursing — Lecture Notes (History, Biomolecules, Pathways, and Clinical Aspects)

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key biochemistry concepts, historical milestones, biomolecules, metabolic pathways, and clinically relevant terms from the notes.

Biochemistry

The application of chemistry to the study of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level.

Biochemistry (also called biological chemistry or physiological chemistry)

The study of chemical processes in living organisms.

Molecular basis of life

Biochemistry defined as the study of the molecular basis of life.

Sickle cells

Abnormal red blood cells; an example of biochemical/pathophysiological changes in blood.

Biomolecules

Major classes produced by cells: carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins.

Carbohydrates

Biomolecule class that provides energy and structural components.

Lipids

Biomolecule class involved in energy storage and cell membranes.

Nucleic acids

Biomolecule class that stores and transfers genetic information (DNA, RNA).

Proteins

Biomolecule class that functions as enzymes, structural components, transporters, etc., built from amino acids.

Monosaccharides

Building blocks of carbohydrates.

Glycosidic bond

Linkage between two sugar molecules in carbohydrates.

Glycerol and fatty acids

Building blocks of lipids (triglycerides form from glycerol plus fatty acids).

Ester bonds

Bond between glycerol and fatty acids in lipids.

Amino acids

Building blocks of proteins; come in various side chains and properties.

Peptide bonds

Bond linking amino acids in proteins.

Phosphodiester bonds

Linkage joining nucleotides in nucleic acids.

Transamination

Transfer of an amino group between amino acids and keto acids.

Deamination

Removal of an amino group from amino acids.

Glycolysis

Cytosolic pathway that converts glucose to pyruvate with net ATP and NADH production.

Pentose phosphate pathway

Alternative glucose pathway producing NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate for nucleotide synthesis.

TCA cycle (Krebs cycle)

Central mitochondrial pathway oxidizing acetyl-CoA to CO2 with energy carrier production.

Urea synthesis

Liver-based process (urea cycle) detoxifying ammonia by producing urea.

Heme synthesis

Pathway producing heme, a component of hemoglobin and other proteins.

Nucleus

Cellular organelle where DNA is housed and RNA/DNA synthesis occurs.

Mitochondrion

Organelle where TCA cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation occur.

Monosaccharides (building blocks of carbohydrates)

Simple sugars that assemble into complex carbohydrates.

Amino acids (building blocks of proteins)

Organic compounds that combine to form proteins.

Nucleotides (building blocks of nucleic acids)

Monomers consisting of a sugar, phosphate, and base that form DNA/RNA.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

Protein used as a tumor marker; often elevated in colorectal cancer.

ALT (alanine aminotransferase)

Enzyme used as a liver function test; elevated levels indicate liver damage.

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

Hereditary disease affecting lungs and digestive system due to thick mucus production.

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Inborn error of metabolism causing impaired phenylalanine metabolism; can cause intellectual disability if untreated.

Cardiac troponins

Regulatory proteins in heart muscle released into blood after myocardial injury; key MI marker.

Congenital hypothyroidism

Severe thyroid hormone deficiency in newborns causing neurological impairment and growth issues.

Hypoglycaemia (hypoglycemia)

Low blood glucose; can cause confusion, dizziness, tachycardia; requires prompt treatment.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment, including electrolyte balance.

Biochemical tests

Laboratory tests (blood, kidney/Liver function, lipid profile) used to diagnose disease and guide care.

Vitamins

Dietary organic compounds required in small amounts; deficiency causes disease; vitamin theory proposed by Funk (1912).

Folin and Denis

Researchers who showed simple amino acids are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Hopkins and Cole

Researchers who discovered tryptophan as a constituent of many proteins (1901).

Liebig

Chemist who isolated tyrosine in 1846, a milestone in biochemistry.

Amino acids (general)

Organic compounds that form the building blocks of proteins.

Synthesis (condensation)

A reaction where two molecules join to form a larger molecule with loss of a small molecule (often water).

Hydrolysis

A reaction where water breaks chemical bonds, splitting a compound into parts.

Oxidation-reduction (redox)

Chemical reactions involving electron transfer; oxidation is loss of electrons, reduction is gain.

Single displacement (single replacement)

An element replaces another in a compound (e.g., Zn + HCl → ZnCl2 + H2).

Double displacement (double replacement)

Cations and anions of two compounds exchange partners to form two new compounds.

Precipitation reaction

Reaction forming an insoluble solid (precipitate) from aqueous reactants.

Combustion

Reaction with oxygen releasing heat and light (e.g., burning wood, CH2O + O2 → CO2 + H2O).