Lecture: Introduction to Biochemistry

What is Biochemistry?

• Intersection of Biology and Chemistry
• Located between chemistry (small molecules) and biology (cells and parts of cells) in terms of scale

Importance of Biochemistry

• Fundamental for understanding nutrition, medicine, and overall health
• Nutrition involves metabolism: chemical processes breaking down food
• Health governed by biochemical processes with molecular basis such as diseases
• Human body composed of numerous molecules that need to be understood

Common Misconceptions

• Pervasive misinformation about health, diet, and medical sciences
• Importance of relying on substantiated science vs. pseudoscience
• Biochemistry helps clarify the molecular status of the body

Foundations in Chemistry

• Understanding biochemistry requires foundational knowledge in basic and organic chemistry
• Basic chemical reactions underpin large biomolecules' functions
• Recommended to review general chemistry and organic chemistry basics

Structural Understanding of Biomolecules

• Representation of enzymes and biomolecules might appear complex
• Enzymes drawn as blobs for simplicity, though they consist of thousands of atoms
• Important to understand enzymes at the molecular level for functional group comprehension

Series Goals and Approach

• Focus on basic concepts of biochemistry
• Aim to be accessible for students and general viewers
• Basic overview with some details omitted to maintain engagement
• Encouragement to watch multiple times and reach out with questions if needed

Wrap-up

• Emphasis on grasping the big picture of biochemical processes
• Watching more than once and engaging with the material is encouraged
• Contact: Professor Dave available for questions and further clarification

Let's learn some biochemistry!