Definition: Biochemistry is the study of large biomolecules like proteins and DNA, existing between biology and chemistry in the scientific hierarchy.
Placement in Scientific Hierarchy
Smaller Scale: Chemistry focuses on small molecules made of few atoms.
Larger Scale: Biology examines entire cells or parts of cells.
Biochemistry: It is the intersection of the two, focusing on molecular processes and large biomolecules.
Importance of Biochemistry
Health and Nutrition: Understanding biochemistry is crucial for insights into nutrition, metabolism, and health since:
Nutrition involves metabolic processes breaking down food molecules.
All diseases have a molecular basis.
The human body is fundamentally made up of molecules.
Misinformation in Biochemistry
Common Issues: There exists a lot of misinformation in:
Diet fads
Medical hoaxes
Pseudoscience
Need for Scientific Understanding: Relying on unsubstantiated alternatives can be harmful; knowledge of biochemistry is vital to understand bodily functions.
Understanding Biochemistry
Foundation in Chemistry: A basic understanding of chemistry is necessary to grasp biochemistry concepts. It involves:
Fundamental chemistry principles, including charges and chemical reactions.
Relevance to Students:
Students familiar with general and organic chemistry will find biochemistry easier to understand.
Those new to chemistry should refer to the general and organic chemistry tutorials before proceeding.
Visual Representation of Enzymes
Enzymes may appear as complex structures (e.g., "tangled blobs") in diagrams to simplify representation.
Molecular Understanding: It is essential to comprehend the molecular structures and functional groups of these enzymes to understand their chemistry.
Course Goal
Focus: The goal is to highlight basic concepts of biochemistry and make them accessible to both students and general audiences.
Engagement: The lecture may include details that are less critical for non-students, aiming to keep the audience engaged.
Big Picture: Focus on the overall biochemical processes that create life's complexity.
Study Tips
Persistence: Don't get discouraged; review materials as needed.
Questions: Students are encouraged to ask questions via email for clarification.
Conclusion
Invitation to Learn: Let's delve into biochemistry!