What is biochemistry?
Biochemistry, often called biological chemistry, is the process of understanding chemical processes occurring within and relating to living organisms. By monitoring data flow through biochemical signaling and the current of chemical energy through metabolism, biochemical procedures give rise to the intricacy of life. Over the last 40 years, biochemistry has become so effective at explaining living processes that now almost all parts of the life sciences from botany to medicine are involved in biochemical research. Today, the main emphasis of pure biochemistry is in understanding how biological molecules give rise to the developments that occur within living cells, which in turn relates largely to the study and understanding of complete organisms.
Biochemistry is closely connected to molecular biology, the study of the molecular mechanisms by which genetic information encoded in DNA is able to result in the procedures of life. Depending on the precise definition of the terms used, molecular biology can be believed to be a branch of biochemistry, or biochemistry as a tool of which to examine and study molecular biology.
Much of biochemistry deals with the arrangements, functions and interactions of biological macromolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids, which make up the structure of cells and carry out many of the functions related with life. The chemistry of the cell also rests on on the reactions of smaller molecules and ions. These can be inorganic, for instance water and metal ions, or organic, for example the amino acids which are used to manufacture proteins. The instruments by which cells harness energy from their surroundings via chemical reactions are identified as metabo...
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...g is training, which is the safety procedures that must be taken in the lab, the correct and safe handling of lab equipment, and the correct handling of specimens and samples. These are extremely important to ensure the validity of the results obtained through research.
The qualities necessary for someone who wants to work in the biochemistry field are a talent for mathematics and an interest in biological or chemical sciences. Since the research relies on computers and medical technology, a wide-ranging understanding of computer science and software is very helpful. Advanced level researchers must know how to plan conceivable experiments, which may contain designing and building the essential technical tools and equipment. Attention to detail, the capability to work with a team and decent communication skills are also exceptional qualifications for a biochemist.
Catalase is a common enzyme that is produced in all living organisms. All living organisms are made up of cells and within the cells, enzymes function to increase the rate of chemical reactions. Enzymes function to create the same reactions using a lower amount of energy. The reactions of catalase play an important role to life, for example, it breaks down hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. Our group developed an experiment to test the rate of reaction of catalase in whole carrots and pinto beans with various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Almost all enzymes are proteins and proteins are made up of amino acids. The areas within an enzyme speed up the chemical reactions which are known as the active sites, and are also where the
Homeostasis is the biological process that maintains a stable internal environment despite what occurs in the external environment. Chemicals and bodily functions are maintained in a balanced state so the body may function optimally. There are various systems in the human body that require maintenance through the processes of biochemical checks and balances so they may function properly. One of these systems includes the rise and fall of blood glucose and is under the control of the homeostatic regulation process. Homeostasis is essential in blood glucose regulation as high blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia) and low blood glucose levels (hypoglycaemia) are dangerous and can affect the human body in many ways and can also lead
Proteins are one of the main building blocks of the body. They are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs. Even smaller units create proteins; these are called amino acids. There are twenty different types of amino acids, and all twenty are configured in many different chains and sequences, producing differing protein structures and functions. An enzyme is a specialized protein that participates in chemical reactions where they serve as catalysts to speed up said reactions, or reduce the energy of activation, noted as Ea (Mader & Windelspecht).
All living organisms require energy. In order to obtain energy, cells within the organisms must go through the processes of cellular respiration and/or fermentation. The way in which “oxidation of glucose leads to ATP production” is emphasized in cellular respiration (Freeman et al., 2014).
Enzymes in general are very interesting to learn from and are fundamental in carrying out processes in various organisms. Enzymes are proteins that control the speed of reactions, they help quicken the rate of the reaction and also help cells to communicate with each other. There are 3 main groups of enzymes, first are the metabolic enzymes that control breathing, thinking, talking, moving, and immunity. Next are the digestive enzymes that digest food and normally end with –ase, there are 22 known digestive enzymes and examples of these are Amylase, Protease, and Lipase. The final group are the Food or plant enzymes which is what my enzyme that I’m studying falls under. Papain gets its name because it comes from papaya fruit, its main purpose is to break down proteins and break peptide bonds however it is not only used in the Papaya fruit and has many external uses. It was also very helpful in the 1950s when scientists were trying to understand enzymes. It also helps us to this day understand Protein structural studies and peptide mapping. Without enzymes, reactions in the body would not happen fast enough and would tarnish our way of life which is why it is vital that we study and learn from them.
Enzymes are biological macromolecule that acts as catalysts and increase the rate of a chemical reaction. Without enzymes, life, as we know about it, would not exist. Enzymes function by deceasing the activation energy and stabilizing the transition state of a chemical reaction without altering the thermodynamic of reaction (#1 Boyer). At the molecular level, enzymes catalyze these reactions by binding to the substrate or reactants to form an enzyme-substrate complex. The reaction takes place while the substrate is bound to the enzyme and converting the substrate to the new product. The new product is then released from the enzyme substrate complex, and the enzyme is then free to bind with more substrate. E+S → ES → E+P (#1 Boyer). Based on
Chemistry is vitally important in our understanding physiology. The molecule of my choice for this final exam is Carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are originated as the outcome of photosynthesis, the condensation of carbon dioxide that requires light energy and chlorophyll pigment. Carbohydrates are a huge source of something called metabolic energy, which can be found in plants which help feed our animals. Carbohydrates are found in sugars and starches but they have another purpose which is called cellulose which helps transport the compound ATP. Carbs are called saccharides and if they are considered sugars. The complexity of carbohydrates which are monosaccharides and complex carbs which consist of polysaccharides disaccharides and oligosaccharides. Carbohydrates represent the main source of energy for the human body. All carbs can be broken down into sugars and absorbed into our intestines and blood stream. Your body uses the glucose formed as fuel for energy. Different carbs digest and break down at different rates. When our blood sugar levels increase our pancreas pumps insulin into our blood stream. Simple carbs turn into glucose faster where complex carbs slowly turn into glucose. The foods we eat that contain carbohydrates cause our blood sugar levels to increase, transporter proteins push the glucose into our muscles, liver cells and fat where our bodies store or end up using the glucose. The cells in our bodies can’t directly use the glucose, so it has to be converted into molecules that cells then use as an energy source. One of the most important molecule for energy storing is the adenosine triphosphate known as ATP. When our cells contain oxygen it can then turn glucose into the ATP molecules using some chemical rea...
Your body has about 10 systems that work together to complete a human being. This is studied by a branch of biology called anatomy. Anatomy is the study of body structures of humans, animals, and other living organisms. There are different types of anatomy like human anatomy, zootomy anatomy (animal), and phytotomy anatomy (plant) (Nordqvist, Christian, “What Is Anatomy?”). Students who plan to become part of the medical field are required to take anatomy along with biochemistry. Biochemistry is the study of chemical reactions inside the body. Doctors, pharmacists, and physicians are required to take many other biology and chemistry classes, but anatomy and biochemistry are the two major subjects studied to join the medical field. Without these courses a doctor, a pharmacist, or a physician would not know the basics of a human structure, the reactions and acids inside a human’s body. To become part of the medical field it is mandatory to study anatomy and have knowledge of each of the systems along with biochemistry.
Proteins are considered to be the most versatile macromolecules in a living system. This is because they serve crucial functions in all biological processes. Proteins are linear polymers, and they are made up of monomer units that are called amino acids. The sequence of the amino acids linked together is referred to as the primary structure. A protein will spontaneously fold up into a 3D shape caused by the hydrogen bonding of amino acids near each other. This 3D structure is determined by the sequence of the amino acids. The 3D structure is referred to as the secondary structure. There is also a tertiary structure, which is formed by the long-range interactions of the amino acids. Protein function is directly dependent on this 3D structure.
Enzymes are protein molecules that are made by organisms to catalyze reactions. Typically, enzymes speeds up the rate of the reaction within cells. Enzymes are primarily important to living organisms because it helps with metabolism and the digestive system. For example, enzymes can break larger molecules into smaller molecules to help the body absorb the smaller pieces faster. In addition, some enzyme molecules bind molecules together. However, the initial purpose of the enzyme is to speed up reactions for a certain reason because they are “highly selective catalysts” (Castro J. 2014). In other words, an enzyme is a catalyst, which is a substance that increases the rate of a reaction without undergoing changes. Moreover, enzymes work with
Biology, is quite the expansive field in the world of science. The term itself has its roots in Greek with “bios” meaning life and “logos” meaning study. The term itself refers to the study of all walks of life that occur in nature. It covers all of the grandeur of life from the various structures of cells and the materials that comprise living creatures to the make up of primeval cells of the past. It encompasses the vast strata of the life from the infinitesimally small cells to the the gargantuan blue whales and other leviathans of the world. Underneath the umbrella of biology are a bevy of unique disciplines such as: physiology, genetics, ecology, and morphology.
Molecular pharmacology deals with the biochemical and biophysical characteristics of interactions between molecules of different substances and those of the cell. In other words, it is molecular biology applied to pharmacologic and toxicologic questions. The methods of molecular pharmacology include precise mathematical, physical, chemical and molecular biological techniques to understand how cells respond to hormones or pharmacologic agents, and how chemical structure correlates with biological activity of various
I have always been intrigued by the field of science and that is the reason I pursued the field of Biochemistry for my undergraduate studies. How The Human body works and the different determinants that can affect one's health or a community as a whole have always been captivating to me. I wanted to emerge in a profession that is beneficial for me, my community, and the world I live in. I came to realize through various science courses and health care experiences that a career in health care was the best path for me to outreach my community and the world.
One of the most important uses of organic compounds is in medicine. All living things have four organic molecules - carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Without carbon chains and nucleic acids, DNA would not exist. Enzymes which produce chemica...