Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the science that deals with the chemistry of living organisms.

The cell is the structural unit of all forms of life. Although the protoplasm of cells is different in each kind of animal and plant cell the chemical composition, organization, and processes occurring in each type are similar in many respects.

The relationship of the living beings to their environment; the processes by which an exchange of chemical substances takes place between the living organism and its environment through digestion, absorption, and excretion; the processes by which the absorbed materials are utilized for synthetic reactions leading to growth and development of tissues; the metabolic breakdown of the materials to supply energy; the mechanisms which regulate with precision all these processes by means of hormonal and neuro-regulatory stimuli – all these come under the purview of Biochemistry.

Biochemistry can be divided into four main branches:1. Medical Biochemistry
2. Animal Biochemistry
3. Plant Biochemistry
4. Biochemistry of Micro-organisms.

Medical Biochemistry deals with the following with which the medical students are mainly concerned. i.e. chemistry of tissues and foods, digestion and absorption, respiration, blood, cell membrane and physical chemistry, tissue metabolism, glands, excretion, biochemical disorders in various diseases etc.