Biochemistry

Biochemistry is a branch of science that deals with the structure, composition, and metabolism of biomolecules found in different living organisms.

  • Biochemistry is also termed ‘biological chemistry’ as it deals with the chemistry of life that utilizes techniques from analytical, inorganic, and organic chemistry.
  • Metabolic processes in living beings are composed of catabolic and anabolic processes. Both of these processes involve metabolic reactions involving biochemical compounds.
  • Biochemistry is also used in techniques that help to understand the interactions, metabolism, and functions of biomolecules.
  • Important biomolecules like proteins, carbohydrates, fats, nucleic acid, vitamins, etc. are essential structural and physiological components of living organisms.
  • The study of the biochemical composition of living beings is important as it helps to understand the molecular mechanisms of various biochemical phenomena like respiration, photosynthesis, fermentation, etc.
  • The findings of these studies, in turn, can be applied in industries, nutrition, medicine, and agriculture for different purposes.
  • The rate of biochemical reactions, enzymes, and the concentration of substrates and products give essential information about the organism.
  • Biochemical reactions form the basis of biochemical testing that is used for the identification and differentiation of microorganisms into different groups.
  • Results of studies involving different biochemical tests can be applied for the production of pharmaceutical products that selectively inhibit certain metabolic processes.
  • Techniques in biochemistry have been increasingly combined with techniques from other fields like agriculture, genetic, molecular biology, and biophysics.
  • Biochemistry also allows the understanding of nutritional requirements for different living organisms.
  • Biochemical compounds have been increasingly used even for the diagnosis of different diseases like diabetes.
  • The determination of the genetic composition of living beings is also a part of biochemistry which helps in genetic studies and diagnosis of genetic diseases.
  • Biochemical analysis of different biomolecules assists in the study relating to the origin and evolution of living beings.
  • An understanding of different biochemical processes helps to understand the complexity of different groups of living beings and their relationship with one another.

Enzyme Inhibition: An Introduction

by
Enzyme Inhibition

1. Irreversible Inhibition Examples 2. Reversible Inhibition Competitive Inhibitors Example A good example of competitive inhibition is provided by succinate dehydrogenase. The enzyme uses succinate as its substrate and is … Read more

Passive Transport: Features, Types, Functions

by
Passive Transport

Image Source: Pearson Education Features of Passive Transport Types of Passive Transport The four main kinds of passive transport are simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, filtration, and/or osmosis. Simple Diffusion Facilitated diffusion Filtration Osmosis Channels … Read more

Purine Synthesis

by
Purine Synthesis

There are two pathways of synthesis of purine nucleotides: De Novo synthesis pathway, and Salvage pathway. The De novo synthesis of Purine The de novo synthesis of purine nucleotide means … Read more