biochemistry god

• Biochemistry


  The chemistry of life and living processes
• The term Biochemistry was introduced by Carl Neuberg in 1903
• The scope of biochemistry is as vast as life itself
• Aspects of life covered by biochemistry

  • Birth
  • Growth
  • Reproduction
  • Aging
  • Death
• Every aspect of life is covered by biochemistry
• Every aspect of life-birth, growth, reproduction, aging and death, involves biochemistry
• Every movement of life is packed with hundreds of biochemical reactions
• Biochemistry is the most rapidly developing and most innovative subject in medicine
• Biochemistry


  The discipline that serves as a torch light to trace the intricate complexities of biology, besides unravelling the chemical mysteries of life
• Biochemical research has amply demonstrated that all living things are closely related at the molecular level
• Advances in biochemistry have tremendous impact on human welfare, and have largely benefited mankind and their living styles
• Applications of biochemistry


  • Diagnosis of diseases
  • Products obtained from genetic engineering (insulin, interferon, growth hormone etc.)
  • Gene therapy
• Sections in the textbook

  • Chemical constituents of life
  • Physiological biochemistry
  • Metabolisms
  • Clinical biochemistry and nutrition
  • Molecular biology and biotechnology
  • Current topics
  • Basics to learn biochemistry
• Each chapter in this book is carefully crafted with colour illustrations, headings and subheadings to facilitate quick understanding
• The important applications of biochemistry to human health and disease are put together as biomedical/clinical concepts
• Icons are used at appropriate places to serve as 'landmarks'
• The origins of biochemical words, confusables in biochemistry, practical biochemistry and clinical biochemistry laboratory, case studies with biochemical correlations, given in the appendix are novel features
• The book is so organized as to equip the readers with a comprehensive knowledge of biochemistry

  
• Nucleus


  The largest cellular organelle, surrounded by a double membrane nuclear envelope. The outer membrane is continuous with the membranes of endoplasmic reticulum. Nuclear pores permit the free passage of products synthesized in the nucleus into the surrounding cytoplasm.
• DNA


  The repository of genetic information in the nucleus. Eukaryotic DNA is associated with basic proteins (histones) to form nucleosomes, which constitute chromatin fibres of chromosomes.
• Nucleolus


  A dense body in the nucleus that is rich in RNA, particularly ribosomal RNA which enters the cytosol through nuclear pores.
• Nucleoplasm


  The ground material of the nucleus that is rich in enzymes such as DNA polymerases and RNA polymerases.
• Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS)


  A rare condition of aging beginning at birth, caused by distortion of the nuclear envelope due to accumulation of abnormal protein lamina A.
• Mitochondria


  The centres for cellular respiration and energy metabolism, regarded as the power houses of the cell. They have a double membrane system with an outer smooth membrane and an inner membrane folded to form cristae.
• Mitochondrial matrix


  The internal chamber of mitochondria that contains enzymes for energy metabolism, heme and urea synthesis, as well as a circular double-stranded DNA, RNA and ribosomes.
• Mitochondria are the principal producers of ATP, the energy currency exported to all parts of the cell to provide energy for cellular work.
• The structure and functions of mitochondria closely resemble prokaryotic cells, leading to the hypothesis that mitochondria evolved from aerobic bacteria.
• Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)


  A network of membrane-enclosed spaces that extends throughout the cytoplasm. The rough ER is studded with ribosomes, the factories of protein biosynthesis. The smooth ER is involved in lipid synthesis and drug metabolism.
• Golgi apparatus


  A cluster of membrane vesicles that catalyse the addition of carbohydrates, lipids or sulfate moieties to newly synthesized proteins, necessary for their transport and secretion.
• Lysosomes


  Spherical vesicles enveloped by a single membrane, actively involved in the digestion of cellular substances like proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids using hydrolytic enzymes.
• Leakage of lysosomal enzymes into the cell can degrade functional macromolecules and lead to certain disorders.
• 1. cell disease


  A rare condition due to the absence of certain hydrolases in lysosomes, caused by a defect in protein targeting.
• Peroxisomes


  Single membrane cellular organelles that contain the enzyme catalase, which protects the cell from the toxic effects of H2O2. They are also involved in the oxidation of long chain fatty acids and synthesis of plasmalogens and glycolipids.
• Peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs)

  A group of rare diseases involving abnormalities in peroxisome enzyme activities, including increased very long chain fatty acids and decreased plasmalogens. The most severe form is Zellweger syndrome, characterized by the absence of functional peroxisomes.
• Cytosol


  The cellular matrix containing enzymes, metabolites and salts in an aqueous gel-like medium, with a complex network of protein filaments (cytoskeleton).
• Apoptosis


  The programmed cell death or cell suicide, a highly regulated process that occurs when the cell has fulfilled its biological functions.
• Life is composed of lifeless chemical molecules that form complex biomolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides and lipids.
• The eukaryotic cell consists of well-defined subcellular organelles enveloped in a plasma membrane, performing a wide range of complex and integrated functions.
• Carbohydrates


  Polyhydroxyaldehydes or ketones or compounds which produce them on hydrolysis
• Sugar


  Carbohydrates soluble in water and sweet to taste