Biochemistry

Have you ever observed how chemical reactions or processes occur within the human body? How do metabolic activities take place? Yes, you will get to know all these life processes through ‘Biochemistry.’

What is Biochemistry?

The branch of science dealing with the study of all the life processes such as control and coordination within a living organism is called Biochemistry.

This term was introduced to us by Carl Neuberg, the father of biochemistry in the year 1930. This field combines biology as well as chemistry to study the chemical structure of a living organism. The biochemists get into the investigation of the chemical reactions and combinations which are involved in various processes like reproduction, heredity, metabolism, and growth, thus performing research in different kinds of laboratories.

Introduction to Biochemistry includes wide areas of molecular biology as well as cell biology. It is relevant to molecules that make up the structure of organs and cells which is the molecular anatomy. It describes carbon compounds and the reactions they undergo in living organisms. It also describes molecular physiology, which is the functions of molecules in carrying out the requirements of the cells and organs.

It mainly deals with the study of the structure and functions of the biomolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, acids, and lipids. Hence, it is also called Molecular biology.

Branches of Biochemistry

The primary branches of biochemistry are listed in this subsection.

Molecular Biology

It is also referred to as the roots of Biochemistry. It deals with the study of functions of the living systems. This field of biology explains all the interactions between DNA, proteins, and RNA and their synthesis.

Cell biology

Cell Biology deals with the structure and functions of cells in living organisms. It is also called Cytology. Cell biology primarily focuses on the study of cells of the eukaryotic organisms and their signalling pathways, rather than focussing on prokaryotes- the topics that will be covered under microbiology.

Metabolism

Metabolism is one of the most important processes taking place in all living things. It is nothing but the transformations or the series of activities that happens when food is converted into energy in a human body. One example of metabolism is the process of digestion.

Genetics

Genetics is a branch of biochemistry that deals with the study of genes, their variations and the heredity characteristics in living organisms.

The other branches include Animal and Plant Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Chemistry, Genetic engineering, Endocrinology, Pharmaceuticals, Neurochemistry, Nutrition, Environmental, Photosynthesis, Toxicology, etc.

Importance of Biochemistry

Biochemistry is essential to understand the following concepts.

• The chemical processes which transform diet into compounds that are characteristics of the cells of a particular species.
• The catalytic functions of enzymes.
• Utilizing the potential energy obtained from the oxidation of foodstuff consumed for the various energy-requiring processes of the living cell.
• The properties and structure of substances that constitute the framework of tissues and cells.
• To solve fundamental problems in medicine and biology.

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