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Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the branch of organic chemistry that deals with the chemical composition of living organisms, as well as the molecular nature of the events that happen within them. It is an interdisciplinary form of study, one that utilizes not just chemistry, but principles of physics and of course, the biological sciences as well. Biochemistry seeks to understand the chemical structure of biological molecules and their methods for functioning.

Biochemistry also looks for practical applications related to the data it gathers about molecular processes. As such, biochemistry is interrelated with fields such as agriculture, medicine, microbiology, biotechnology and food technology. Some questions a biochemist might seek to answer are: What are cells made of? What are the functions of the chemical reactions that take place inside of cells? What are the chemical mechanisms that are present in cell division, or in genetics or in cell differentiation? What is the chemical reason for a molecule’s ability to carry out highly specialized functions?

Biochemistry had its beginnings in the early 19th century, when it was first established that organic compounds could be created synthetically, and the first enzyme was discovered. Today, biochemistry focuses mainly on the chemistry of specific compounds like proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, DNA and RNA.

Web Resources On Biochemistry

Concepts of Biochemistry
Wikipedia: Biochemistry

Book Resources On Biochemistry

Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry by David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox
Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry by Pamela C. Champe

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