Biochemistry

Biochemistry is both life science and a chemical science - it explores the chemistry of living organisms and the molecular basis for the changes occurring in living cells. It uses the methods of chemistry, physics, molecular biology, and immunology to study the structure and behaviour of the complex molecules found in biological material and the ways these molecules interact to form cells, tissues, and whole organisms.

Biochemistry is a young science, having been known under that term only since about 1900. The term biochemistry was reportedly coined in 1903 by Carl Neuberg, Its origins, however, can be traced much further back; its early history is part of the early history of both physiology and chemistry. The four primary biomolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, each of which frequently combines to form polymers and repeating units, exhibiting additional functional properties on the biomacro level that define living systems. In addition to primary metabolites there are plenty of secondary metabolites which are produced as a breakdown of primary metabolites and they are supposed to give protection to plants and are highly used in pharmaceuticals.

Biochemistry has become the foundation for understanding all biological processes. It has provided explanations for the causes of many diseases in humans, animals, and plants. It can frequently suggest ways by which such diseases may be treated or cured. Because biochemistry seeks to unravel the complex chemical reactions that occur in a wide variety of life forms, it provides the basis for practical advances in medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. It underlies and includes such exciting new fields as molecular genetics and bioengineering. The knowledge and methods developed by biochemists are applied to in all fields of medicine, in agriculture and in many chemical and health-related industries. Biochemistry is also unique in providing teaching and research in both protein structure/function and genetic engineering, the two basic components of the rapidly expanding field of biotechnology.

Biochemistry is closely related to other biological sciences that deal with molecules. There is considerable overlap between these disciplines:
 Molecular Genetics
 Pharmacology
 Molecular Biology
 Chemical Biology
Biochemistry is essential to understand the following concepts.
 The chemical processes which transform diet into compounds that are characteristics of the cells of a particular species.
 The catalytic functions of enzymes.
 Utilizing the potential energy obtained from the oxidation of foodstuff consumed for the various energy-requiring processes of the living cell.
 The properties and structure of substances that constitute the framework of tissues and cells.
 To solve fundamental problems in medicine and biology.