How To Achieve Mastery Of Biochemistry Concepts?

Published on: 24 December 2022 Last Updated on: 30 October 2024

Biochemistry reflects on the chemical compositions of living organisms. If in a science class one has encountered statements like the chemical composition of blood glucose is C6H12O6, then this lesson is part of biochemistry research that has found its way to textbooks.

Biochemistry also deals with chemical interactions between living cells. For instance, once we eat, the process of digestion that releases energy in the form of ATP and the chemical reaction involved in these metabolic activities are part of biochemistry.

The signals released by the brain in response to pain, how oxygen is used by blood cells, and the entire chemical process involved at the molecular level is studied as part of the biochemistry discipline.

A biochemistry course can be taken both as a specialization or an interdisciplinary course along with a related major or minor for challenging career prospects in life sciences. Interested students can check out this biochemistry course.

Scope And Uses Of Biochemistry

Biochemists hold numerous positions not just in the direct or ancillary healthcare sector but also in any field that involves food and nutrition.

Here are a few areas where biochemistry is used:

A. Nutritional science

The molecules like amino acids, lipids, fats, carbohydrates, and fiber constitute the macros of a balanced healthy diet. Biochemistry in food and nutrition deals with the process of generation and maintenance of the essential macros and glucose levels in a body. Any tipping in the readings will be the result of the body’s chemical response to any underlying disease condition.

B. Genetic engineering

Genetic engineering is technically a branch of biotechnology. However, to understand DNA sequencing, chemical composition is necessary information. And hence biochemistry becomes an interrelated discipline for genetic engineering.

Biotech is widely used in understanding pathological specimens of microbes, and human, veterinary, and plant genes to help in combating diseases, creating resistant varieties of bloodlines in animal husbandry, and disease-resistant variants of plants.

C. Medicine

Pharmacological advances in new drug formulations, the development of vaccines, immunology, and pathology are some areas where biochemistry is widely used. Only through biochemistry, the rollout of Covid vaccine was possible.

Tips For Preparing For Biochemistry

Biochemistry is a vast subject that deals with humans, animals, and plants. It has other sub-categories like structural biochemistry, enzymology, xenobiotics, and organic and molecular biochemistry.

Considering the numerous topics, although the subject is interesting, studying for coursework can be daunting. But with a little bit of planning and learning hacks, preparing for biochemistry lessons can seem like a breeze for students.

Here are tips to prepare for biochemistry coursework:

1. Memorize The chemical sequence

Biochemistry is one of the least-liked subjects by many because of the many chain reactions and pathways that one needs to remember. The only way one can remember these chemical reactions is by logically grasping them, and then writing them down 2-3 times to memorize them. Once you have understood and memorized it correctly, write it backward. This step seals the content in your memory for a long time.

2. Revise important topics

Biochemistry is easy to forget a subject if you have not grasped the concept and memorized it. Topics related to organic biochemistry, lipid metabolism, amino acids secretion, enzymes secretion by glands like the pituitary and liver, the pentose phosphate pathway, and nucleotides need to be revised through notes revision, flashcards, and practice quizzes.

3. Study groups

Divide the biochemistry topics among members of study groups to make notes. In this manner, all the important topics can be revised easily by dividing the work related to notes and crucial points that form the framework of the lesson

4. Illustrate

Biochemistry is easy to remember when you use imagination and draw the reactions in a fun and easy-to-understand manner. You can always give character names to any of the molecules that are both easy to remember and relatable.

5. Focus on an essential topic

Divide the topics into the most repetitive and course-wise imperative ones. Divide your attention in an 80:20 ratio and give more importance to the core topics. In this manner, the regularly difficult topics are covered and repeated.

Twenty percent dedicated to other least important topics can be revised once. This way is ideal when trying to fit in a lot of work within a short timeframe. For instance, you can give more time to topics on metabolic and organic chemistry, enzymes, and pathways.

6. Comprehend

Biochemistry is a science subject and rote memorization alone can never work. The only way to retain it for a longer time comes from grasping the concepts and even memorizing them. If you can practice explaining the concepts to a five-year-old by following the Feynman technique, then the chances of you understanding the concepts are more.

7. Biochemistry terminology

All the terms used in this subject are different and some concepts will be completely new to you. Enzymes have suffixes like lyases, hydrogenases, oxidases, etc. A grasp on these terms by memorizing through mapping can help a student fare better

8. Structural biochemistry

Learning the chemical structure of molecules of chlorophyll, glucose, enzymes, amino acids, triglycerides and all other compounds within a living being will help biochemistry enthusiasts in their research as well

9. Organize study time

As the syllabus of biochemistry is an expanse, allotting a specific time and sticking to the schedule will help individuals gain confidence and have enough time to revise important topics before tests.

10. Take short breaks

When reading long topics and sequentially memorizing them, it is essential to take short breaks that can help a person rejuvenate and remember the lesson.

Conclusion:

Biochemistry is an important subject in medical school and some of the stem sciences. It is an essential subject in life science. There are a wide array of jobs that can be obtained with an education in biochemistry.

It is an important part of the med school program as well. Anyone interested in studying biochemistry can explore online Medtech platforms that will aid in improving the grasp through multiple immersive topics with animated illustrations.

Read Also:

Arnab

Arnab is a professional blogger, having an enormous interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, He carries out sharing sentient blogs.

View all posts

How to Choose Workout Supplements

We cannot run away from the fact that supplements can help you to reach your fitness goals faster. Most of them have well-known ingredients or cutting edge that have the required scientific backing. The challenge is knowing the workout supplement to choose. I know you could have been hearing about supplement scams in local news on a daily basis. This article will guide you on what to avoid and what you need to look for while choosing workout supplements. You need to choose a brand that uses scientific minds to build great products on the basis of solid science and results. Below are some of the things you need t check out for when making your next sports nutrition and weight loss product purchase. Make Sure You Know the Brand : Companies spend a lot of money every year while attempting to build trust. You can compare trust to consumer preference and loyalty. Most supplement companies that have been in existence for a long period should have invested a lot in the quality of their products and good manufacturing products that comply with the industry practices. All supplement companies must meet the standards that are set by drugs and poisons board or FDA. If you are not sure of the company, search for their brand name on reputable review sites or bureaus in the region. You need to identify a company that deals with best selling workout supplements in the global market. Can You Get to Their Customer Service? Confirm whether the company has a toll-free contact with real human beings to handle the phone calls. Some companies spent a lot of cash on infrastructural investments that support their products in the marketplace. Some small companies like outsourcing their operations and production of products. therefore, customers may have to way of talking to them. Be wary of any company that you cannot reach with a lot of ease. Does the Mark have a Trust Mark or Third-Party Analysis Label? A reputable brand should undertake a lab analysis of their products to confirm whether they meet the claims that are on the label. You can go ahead and request a certificate of analysis from that manufacturer to make sure that the product has the ingredients written on the label. You can also search for trust marks from third-party organizations as another way of verifying the supplements. Some of the marks include USDA organic, USP and NSF and they are given to the supplement company after meeting stringent product audits. Search for Clinical Studies : Sports nutrition or weight loss products must have one or multiple ingredients that are in amounts that are clinically validated. This is what makes them make assertions like ‘lose weight,’ ‘build muscle,’ or ‘recover faster.’ The product packaging or company website must reference these clinical studies. The product should have the amounts of grams, milligrams, and micrograms of all the active ingredients that are listed on the product. Ingredients such as essential fatty acids, creatine, and proteins have a broad range of source types and dosages. Therefore, be keen to look at the specific ingredients when doing your search. Only Buy from Reputable Stores : Leading retailers carry out their independent analysis and thus you need to buy your sports nutrition or weight loss products from a store you trust. Some stores have trained associates that can answer any questions you have regarding the products. This will help you in making the right decision especially if you are having several products to choose from. Finally, you need to check on the ratings and reviews of the company. Find out the manufacturer’s consumer rating on its website and third-party retailers. Go through the common comments and questions on these sites. Also, read the consumer experiences on other posts so as to gain some form of confidence in the products. All the above tips will help you to find the best workout supplements that the market has to offer. All you need is an effective product that is safe for your health. The market has several high-quality companies and products but you cannot identify them unless you do your assignment well. Read More : 6 Ways To Promote Healthy Brain How To Stay Healthy And Fit Despite A Hectic Schedule Healthy Protein Alternatives For Grandpa And Grandma

The Disturbing Trend of Multiple Chronic Medical Conditions

Americans with a chronic medical condition know just how difficult it is to navigate the challenges of our healthcare system. These patients pay huge medical costs, experience a diminished quality of life and, in some cases, run the risk of developing even more chronic conditions. They also represent about half of the adult population in the United States. But as bleak as things are when you suffer from a single, long-lasting sickness, the challenges are compounded exponentially when you develop a second, third, or even more chronic conditions. This growing subset of patients - those suffering from two or more chronic conditions – now accounts for over one quarter of all Americans, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Most Common Medical Conditions Chronic conditions last for a year or more, require ongoing medical attention and often limit a person’s day-to-day activities. Chronic conditions include heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, chronic respiratory conditions, asthma, human immunodeficiency virus infection, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy and obesity, to name only a few. Read also: An Overview of Schizophrenia 6 Imbalances in Body Hampering Weight Loss Efforts Other non-physical conditions can also fall into this category -- those like developmental disabilities, mental illness, and cognitive impairment. Tobacco use, alcohol abuse or substance addiction may cause more chronic conditions, or be considered chronic conditions themselves. Read More: Tackle Your Shredding This Family Day An Expensive and Common Problem About two-thirds of healthcare costs in the United States and over 90 percent of Medicare spending go toward people with multiple chronic conditions (MCC). In addition to the approximately 27 percent of Americans with MCC, the Department of Health and Human Services estimates that around three-quarters of those over 65 have MCC. Many people with MCC have more than just two chronic conditions. Over seven percent of men and over 10 percent of women in the U.S. have five or more chronic medical conditions. With every additional condition, come steep rises in costs, treatments, doctor visits, and prescription medications, per the DHHS. When Riskier, Costlier, Less Effective Treatment is a Part of Life If you have MCC, or if you know someone who does, then you might already be familiar with the incredible challenges that come with having two or more serious illnesses. Insurance will be costlier, as will the out-of-pocket costs you pay. Of course, you’ll also be paying even more than those with a single chronic condition, because you will likely be seeing more doctors to receive the treatment you need. You will probably need to take several prescription medications for your medical conditions. It is the increased number of doctor visits to multiple doctors and the many medications needed for management of MCC that open patients up to inadequate healthcare. Patients with MCC rely heavily on specialists, and it is likely that a specialist who is treating a patient for one of their chronic illnesses won’t have the skills or training necessary to provide care that addresses the other chronic illnesses the patient suffers from. This leads to a disjointed, uncoordinated and costly system in which patients are more likely to suffer from medical error, receive conflicting medical advice and experience adverse drug reactions. Patients so often find that they are handed off from one doctor to another, with little to no oversight to coordinate the many treatments, tests, and medicines they take. Read More: Folic Acid Deficiency Symptoms: Supplement The Deficiency Before It’s Too Late Addressing the MCC Problem Reducing the direct and indirect costs to patients requires an ambitious rethinking of our approach to healthcare that addresses the unique needs of MCC patients. We need federal and state programs that engage patients to better coordinate their care and provide education to those suffering from several medical conditions. We need doctors that are better trained in handling a wide range of medical needs, as opposed to the specialization trend among doctors that have become the norm in the last several decades. Prevention is also key to lessening the number of MCC patients in the United States. This means education, raising awareness and public health initiatives that serve to stop the development of these illnesses before they start. Patients with MCC can easily get disillusioned with the obstacles they encounter when they enter the convoluted, expensive system that they depend on for treatment. The odds are good that many of you have first-hand experience with the failings of our current system in dealing with multiple, chronic medical conditions. Judging from the statistics, most of us will also encounter these shortcomings at some point in our lives. Mark Evans is a Missouri trial attorney and partner at the Bley & Evans law firm. Read More: The Relationship Between Oral Health And General Health Top 6 U.S. Universities That Offer Health Science Course Dore Aesthetics: Proven And Safe Acne Treatment

How Cold Weather Affects the Cancer Patients

As the weather once again turns colder, most of us are thinking of ways to keep ourselves warm. Whether it is warm clothes, fixing up the furnace in your home, or something entirely else, we all appreciate the warmth and the need to keep warm. Cancer patients are among the most sensitive people, which is why it is natural to wonder whether the cold affects them in any particular way. We reached out to cancer treatment researchers at Odonate Therapeutics to learn a bit more. Why cancer Patients Are Sensitive? In order to understand why people combating cancer may be more susceptible to external influences, cold temperatures included, it is helpful to remember what cancer treatment involves. The standard fare treatment for cancer is chemotherapy which is often complemented with radiation treatment. That means that their immune systems are quite strained as it is and should not be pushed further. Hypothermia Is a Real Risk Cancer treatment can have many side effects, which include anemia and dehydration, among other things. These two conditions in particular make the organism far less capable of combating the cold. In essence, that means that a cancer patient may be less capable of maintaining body heat. Fortunately, there is one simple way to ensure that cancer patients are safe from the negative effects of the colder weather – keeping them warm. This includes making sure they are properly dressed for the weather, as well as that their homes are nice and warm when they return from their treatment sessions. Frostbites Can Also Occur Whereas most people would be aware of the cold because their body will naturally tell them, some cancer patients may be denied that. Certain cancer medications may cause what is known as peripheral neuropathy. This neuropathy affects the digits and can spread to affect hands and feet. Without being able to tell how cold you are, you may not react in time and get yourself to warmth. After prolonged exposure to cold, the skin and the tissue underneath can become damaged, causing frostbite. Neuropathy Can Cause Falls Apart from damaging the cold receptors, neuropathies can also affect a person’s sense of balance. The unsteadiness can quite easily result in a fall if the person is not tended to carefully. Even though falls can affect anyone, and cause quite a lot of pain, they can be particularly nasty to some cancer patients. More specifically, leukemia patients who have low platelet levels in their blood. This component of blood helps the wounds heal by creating clots. Cancer patients whose platelet levels are low cannot heal wounds properly, making even smaller injuries potentially dangerous. Cold Weather Ushers the Flu Season Seasonal illnesses such as the flu and the common cold typically spike with the colder weather. Most people stay indoors, they interact with other people and can easily get ill. Cancer patients can be quite susceptible to those types of illnesses because their immune system is suppressed by the medication and can be completely destroyed by radiation therapy. Keeping cancer patients from contracting these common diseases can be a struggle, but it is vital. COVID 19 Complicates Things No roundup of issues that negatively affect people in 2020 would be complete without the ever-present COVID-19. This illness has affected millions of people across the world and taken quite a few lives. Due to the nature of the illness, it is most damaging to those who are already fighting another illness. Just like with the flu and the cold, COVID-19 can quickly infect a cancer patient and do a lot of damage. Cancer patients need to focus on the most important battle in their lives- defeating cancer. They need all the help and the support they can get from their loved ones. Keeping them safe from the cold weather and everything it brings is just another step in their fight for recovery. Read Also: How to sleep better when you have cancer

How To Achieve Mastery Of Biochemistry Concepts?