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.

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

Cholesterol structure and synthesis

by
Cholesterol Synthesis

Cholesterol Structure Figure: Cholesterol Structure Although cholesterol is synthesized in most tissues of the body where it serves as a component of cell membranes, it is produced mainly in the … Read more

Pentose Phosphate Pathway

by
Pentose Phosphate Pathway

The pentose phosphate pathway is a metabolic pathway parallel to glycolysis which generates NADPH and pentoses (5-carbon sugars) as well as ribose 5-phosphate. The pentose phosphate pathway is also called as the phosphogluconate pathway or hexose monophosphate shunt. While it involves oxidation of glucose, its primary role … Read more

Urea Cycle- Enzymes and Steps

by
Urea Cycle- Enzymes and Steps

The urea cycle is the metabolic pathway that transforms nitrogen to urea for excretion from the body. Nitrogenous excretory products are removed from the body mainly in the urine. Ammonia, … Read more

Nucleic Acids- Nucleosides and Nucleotides

by
Nucleosides and Nucleotides

Nucleotide is any member of the class of organic compounds in which the molecular structure comprises a nitrogen-containing unit (base) linked to a sugar and a phosphate group.  They are monomeric units of nucleic … Read more