Biochemistry - Introduction and Scope
Biochemistry is a discipline of Chemistry that deals with the chemical composition of living organisms. It deals with interactions between living organic cells and their surrounding fluids/matter and is the study of important chemical processes occurring within living organisms.
Biochemistry is the subdivision of Biology and chemistry that can further be divided into three segments, namely, metabolism, structural Biology and enzymology. By the end of the 20th century, these three variants together have been able to successfully explain the process of living.
It is the study of how living things are made, how they work, and what chemicals they have. It also looks at the human body's muscles and bones. In a Biochemistry Class, students can learn how cells are made or how blood works.
Thus Biochemistry helps in understanding the chemical basis that gives rise to the process through biological molecules that are occurring between the living cells and within the cells. This, in turn, relates to the understanding of tissues and organs as well as the structure of the organisms and their functions. Therefore, Biochemistry can alternatively be defined as the study of molecular Biology that relates to the molecular mechanisms of biological phenomena.
Biochemistry is the study of structures and the interactions of biological macromolecules. These macromolecules include protein, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates present in your body. As a result, Biochemistry is being used in research related to botany, medicine, and gene enhancement. Biochemistry is now working on finding the secret of life and how biological molecules boost the processes that occur within the living cells. This study will help in understanding the whole working organism.
Teaching, Science, researchers, analytical Chemist, and forensic scientist are all options for BioChemists. Let us see in detail the scope of Biochemistry.
Scope
The evolution of life that took us from the small microorganism to apes, to the humans which we have now become. All that study falls under one of the branches of Biochemistry. Besides, it is a study that is said to be the language of nature. All the tools that you see in the field of medical science are biochemical.
Biotechnology is using genetic engineering, which is one of the most sophisticated branches of chemistry. The use of biotechnology can be seen in the field of medical science, animal farming, pathological research, etc.
Lastly, one more branch we would like to mention is the medical Biochemistry, and this is one of the essential branches of the whole science as it deals with both the health and the disease of the human body. Every condition which the human body faces is biochemical because of every form of illness due to the abnormal behavior of chemicals and molecules present in the human body.
Students who want to become BioChemists should start by getting better grades in F.Sc pre-med. After that, the next step is to get into a 4-year bachelor's programme to get a Biochemistry degree.
The students get to study proteins and carbohydrates and enzymes and amino acids and lipids as well as DNA and RNA as their main subjects.
A BioChemist can work well for both the government and the private sector. They can even set up their labs with help from doctors who know what they're doing.
Today, Biochemistry is very popular in research fields, so BioChemists can work on hot topics to write about and publish later. They can also choose to be scientists or to be a member of a scientific group.
Now let us have a look at the wide scope of Biochemistry in different fields:-
Medical Science:- In order to understand various aspects of medical science like drug development, immunology, pathology, pharmacy, vaccine development, etc. it is important to have thorough knowledge about Biochemistry. After completing my bachelors in this particular subject one can lookout for a marketing executive in different pharmaceutical companies or as a lab assistant in private or government organizations. Also one can also become a medical coordinator for big pathology chains and various medical transcriptionists for different healthcare groups.
The clinical test done in the clinical laboratories is the main application area of Biochemistry. So one can join in as a pathologist in diagnostic centres relating to diagnostics, monitoring, and screening of patients. Another advanced part of Biochemistry is Genetic Engineering or Recombinant DNA Technology that deals with the development of several vaccinations. Thus one can join as a researcher in the research and development department with the big pharmaceutical companies after completing one Masters in Biochemistry.
Agriculture:- In order to understand the chemistry and the Biology of crops and medical plants, it is very important to have detailed knowledge about Biochemistry. The study of plant Biochemistry will lead a student to become a plant scientist in future. The main job of the plant scientist is to work towards developing high yield crops, isolating medical components from plants as well as producing disease resistant crops. After gaining thorough knowledge about the tissue culture of plants one can set up their own independent firm or nursery.
Food Industry:- To help the nutritionists in describing the different aspects of health-related to food consumption, the nutrition value of the food that is being consumed can be determined by the biochemist performing the biochemical tests. Also, the food analyst performs various studies that perform the proper measurement of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They also have the skills and knowledge to find out various adulterations done in the food industry. For the present Biochemistry students, a food security officer is a very important job prospect.
Academician:- after the masters, one can apply for B.Ed to become a teacher of the subject or can further pursue a PhD to become a professor in colleges and universities. Different govt. jobs like a Patent officer, Scientific Officer (BARC, DRDO, and ISRO), Epidemiologist, Forest officer, Food security officer can be a very good option for the student currently pursuing masters in Biochemistry.
Molecular Biochemistry
This branch of biochemistry deals with the study of structures and functions of proteins, carbohydrates, DNA, and other biomolecules. It covers a detailed study of how the different biomolecules interact with one another and carry out biochemical reactions.
Cellular Biochemistry
This branch of biochemistry deals with the study of chemical processes occurring within the cells of organisms. It covers a detailed study of how energy is produced in the cells, how the structure of cells is maintained, how the nutrients are synthesised, stored, and used in the cells, and other cellular chemical processes.
Biochemical Genetics
This branch of biochemistry discusses the role of genes in the biochemical processes of various organisms. It provides a detailed study of how genes play a role in synthesising biomolecules like proteins and how they function.
Major Areas of Biochemistry
Some major areas into which biochemistry can be classified for the convenience of students are discussed below.
Structural Biochemistry
Structural biochemistry involves the study of macromolecules and their chemical architecture. Being a major area of biochemistry, it also covers a detailed study of DNA, RNA, and proteins.
Enzymology
Enzymes are also termed biological catalysts. Enzymology is the area of biochemistry that studies the behaviour of enzymes. For example, it covers topics such as specific catalytic RNA, proteins, coenzymes, and co-factors like vitamins. The reaction kinetics, interactions involved in the transition state of enzymes-substrate, mechanism of catalysis, enzymatic expression, regulation, and activities of enzymes - are all studied at a biochemical level.
Xenobiotics
This major area of biochemistry involves the study of the metabolic behaviour of certain compounds. The chemical structure of these compounds is improper in the usual metabolism for a particular organism. While entering the human body, these compounds are likely to be secondary metabolites of some other organisms, non-existent in nature, or infrequent compounds.
Bio-Organic Chemistry
This area of biochemistry involves the study of organic compounds derived from living organisms. These compounds are identified by their carbon-hydrogen and carbon-carbon covalent bonds. Most of the carbon biological compounds are studied in bio-organic chemistry. This area of biochemistry integrates a sense of reaction mechanisms, organic synthesis, analytical methods, and structural analysis, with primary and secondary metabolic reactions, cell recognition, biosynthesis, and chemical diversity of organisms.
Metabolic Biochemistry
This is an area of biochemistry that involves the study of different types of metabolic pathways from an organic and cellular level. Bioenergetics, nutritional biochemistry and clinical biochemistry are the disciplines that arise from metabolic biochemistry. The organic biochemical indices, cellular biochemical reactions, the molecular basis of metabolic diseases, or intermediate metabolic flows are studied in this branch of biochemistry.
Importance of Biochemistry
Biochemistry knowledge is essential in our daily lives. Agriculture, medicine, and medical treatment all benefit from it. Below is the importance of Biochemistry:
Biochemistry can help you increase your crop productivity.
It is critical for enhancing land quality by preserving vegetables and flowers, as well as assisting in the preparation and preservation of food materials.
It is necessary to understand the actions of numerous genes as well as their interactions with enzymes.
It is useful in determining the nutritional requirements of animals. It aids in the provision of adequate nutrition and the elimination of malnutrition.
To understand heredity in plants and animals, geneticists rely on metabolic reactions.
It aids in the discovery of new drugs in the pharmaceutical industry.
It explains how to use medications properly.
It is beneficial in the treatment of sick people and animals.
It aids in the improvement of beneficial animal breeds and nutrition, as well as the study of herbicide and pesticide activity.
Application of Biochemistry
Application in Agriculture is as Follows:-
Increase Fertility: The fertility of the crop can be increased with the help of the study of Biochemistry. The agriculturist uses the Biochemistry tools to find out the conditions of the plants and experiment accordingly to improve their fertility.
Increase Growth: The reaction between the pesticides and the crops in the cell is analysed by the biochemist and does it contribute to rising plant growth.
Disease Control: The study of Biochemistry because of its versatility provides a large number of treatments to help control plant diseases. Exclusion and eradication of disease plants falls under few of such techniques that are used in Biochemistry.
Animal Husbandry: Appropriate cultivation and growth of domestic animals falls under the animal husbandry. Various Biochemistry tools are used by the experts to diagnose disease in such animals and provide control accordingly.
Soil Conditions: The soil condition, its composition and its deficiency is comprehended with the help of Biochemistry tools. Therefore this focuses primarily on enhancing the soil condition and work on it .
Application in Medicine:-
Blood Test: Blood test suggest serum test for diagnosing hepatitis falls under few of the crucial blood tests where Biochemistry plays a crucial role. Biochemistry tools are mostly used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of liver functioning. Moreover it also analyses the blood sugar level in human blood. It also helps in performing the urine test to find out the kittens where the complete blood count indicates the overall health of a patient. All these tests are related to the study of Biochemistry.
Liver Test: In order to understand and assist the liver condition of a patient it is important to know a few Biochemistry tools. For qualitative and quantitative analysis the same PCR test is used. Also the Biochemistry techniques are used for diagnosis of HCC.
Pregnancy Test: Biochemistry test and techniques are also used to find out about the pregnancy. Urine test is required to find out about the gonadotropin hormone that a body produces. A particular blood test which is also known as HCG test is done to find out about the pregnancy. It indicates the initial level of human gonadotropin which rises during the pregnancy.
Kidney Function: A lot of Biochemistry tools are used for a simple urine test that checks the pH and the colour of the urine that changes during the kidney issues.
AFP Test: Alpha-fetoprotein is used as a marker to test the poor liver function of the patient and to know whether the patient has liver dysfunction on liver cancer.
Conclusion
Good knowledge of biochemistry helps us understand several other concepts related to our life processes. The branches of biochemistry discussed above lay the foundation of various sub-disciplines of medicine, chemistry, and biology, for example, endocrinology, immunology, neurochemistry, chemotaxonomy, virology, molecular biology, cell biology, genetic engineering, etc.
FAQs on What is Biochemistry?
1. What are the facts on which Biochemistry is based?
Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Bioenergetics are all combined in Biochemistry.
The body of a live creature is made up of various organic macromolecules. The behaviour of these Biomolecules is studied in organic Chemistry, a subset of Chemistry.
The evolution or absorption of energy occurs as these Biomolecules convert into different molecules. Thermodynamics studies such changes which are also called Bioenergetics.
Digestion, respiration, excretion, synthesis, photosynthesis, and degradation of Biomolecules are all governed by physical laws studied in physics.
Biology studies the internal and external structure of the organism, its genetic makeup, and its reaction to various stimuli.
Thus, Biochemistry combines Chemistry, Bioenergetics, physics, and Biology. A BioChemist studies the chemical nature and behaviour of living things using physical, chemical, and Biological methods.
2. Where can Biochemistry be used? Explain in detail.
Biochemistry could be applied to various fields such as:
Medical Science
When you study medicine, you need to know a lot about Biochemistry to understand things like drug development, immunology, pathology, pharmacy and vaccine development.
Agriculture
It is very important to know a lot about Biochemistry to understand the Chemistry and Biology of crops and plants that are used for medicine.
A good study of plant Biochemistry will help you to work on high-yield crops, extract medical components from plants, and make disease-resistant crops.
Food Industry
The nutrition value of the food consumed can be assessed by the BioChemist performing the Biochemical tests.
3. What are the branches of Biochemistry?
There are varied branches of Biochemistry as listed below:
Structural Biochemistry
It studies the Chemistry of Biological macromolecules, particularly proteins and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).
Bio-organic Chemistry
It deals with the study of organic compounds.
Enzymology
This study Examines enzymes and catalysts.
Metabolic Biochemistry
An area of Biochemistry that claims to understand the cellular and organic background of metabolic pathways.
XenoBiotics
This field explores the metabolic activity of chemicals whose chemical structure is not suitable for an organism's typical metabolism.
Immunology
It studies the reaction and immune function of living things.
Endocrinology
Endocrinology is the study of hormone manufacture, storage, and function, etc.
Apart from these, there are more branches namely:
NeuroChemistry
Chemotaxonomy
Chemical ecology
Virology
Molecular genetics and Genetic engineering
Molecular Biology
Cell Biology
4. What study is included in Cell Biology?
The morphology and physiology of prokaryotes and eukaryotes are studied in this branch of Biology. Knowing the inherent cellular life activities during the cell cycle, such as feeding, respiration, component synthesis, defence systems, cell division, and cell death, is critical in this field.
It is essentially a field of cell culture observation and experimentation that focuses on the identification and separation of cell populations, as well as the discovery of cell organelles.
5. What is the contribution of the Virology Branch in today’s era?
This is a branch of Biology dedicated to the study of basic Biosystems, such as viruses. It studies the functioning and molecular structure, as well as Classification and recognition.
Its goal is to identify performance targets for possible medications and vaccines to avoid expansion through direct or preventive means.
The study also helps in predicting viral genome variation and combinations in evolutionary terms. The study has also been used in gene therapy.
6. What are the Biochemistry Examples in Our Daily Life?
You might not think about it, but Biochemistry is playing a vital role in keeping you safe all the time from the infection and the diseases. Farmers using chemicals to keep there crop safe from the animals, and microorganisms is one of the examples of Biochemistry in nature.
When packing food, companies check their nutrition value to see if the food satisfies all the nutritional demands set by the government. With the help of the biochemical tests, scientists make sure food is good to eat and holds all the healthy nutrients inside.
Medications have a date of expiration, and to know if they are suitable for the use, we can help us a biochemical test to find its condition and whether it’s safe to take it or not.
7. Name the Father of Biochemistry?
It is one of the questions only the curious minds ask, the father of Biochemistry was Carl Neuberg, he was the one that pioneered the study of chemistry and made it to the study of science. Before his research, people can’t digest that Biology and chemistry both are working hand in hand in our lives to help us and other organisms and animals grow, live, and die.
Neuberg was born on July 29th, 1877, in Hanover, Germany, and took his last breath in New York, United States, on May 30th, 1956.
8. Give Biochemistry Definition.
Biochemistry is the study of biological chemistry that deals with the chemical process within and relating to living organisms. Biochemistry is the subdivision of Biology and chemistry that can further be divided into three segments, namely, metabolism, structural Biology and enzymology.
9. Give examples of Biochemistry.
Enzymes, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, amino acids, hormones, RNA, DNA, Pigments all fall under the example of Biochemistry. The study of all the above helps in clinical diagnosis, manufacturing of various biological products, treatment of diseases, in nutrition, agriculture, etc.