biochem

Biochemistry – An Overview
The Study of Living Things
• Biochemistry is the systematic study of the chemical substances found in living organisms, their organization & chemical interactions with each other, and the principles of their participation in the processes of life.
• Its importance is due to the increasing recognition that underlying each and every biological function is a chemical reaction.
• Hundreds/thousands of chemical reactions are taking place in our cells every minute of our lives.
• Biochemical investigations have been directed towards the study of the chemical composition of cells and the chemical processes in which they participate.
• A biochemical substance is a chemical substance found within a living organism.
• Two types of biochemical substances:
– Bioinorganic substances :water and inorganic salts.
– Bioorganic substances : carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids