What
is biochemistry?
The
term Biochemistry was introduced by Carl Neuberg in 1903. Biochemistry broadly
deals with the chemistry of life and living processes. Biochemistry is the
language of biology. The tools for research in all the branches of medical
science are based on principles of biochemistry. The study of biochemistry is
essential to understanding the basic functions of the body. This will give information
regarding the functioning of cells at the molecular level. How the food that we
eat is digested, absorbed, and used to make ingredients of the body? How does
the body derive energy for normal day-to-day work? How are the various
metabolic processes interrelated? What is the function of genes? What is the
molecular basis for immunological resistance against invading organisms? Answer
for such basic questions can only be derived by a systematic study of medical
biochemistry. Modern-day medical practice is highly dependent on the laboratory
analysis of body fluids, especially the blood. The disease manifestations are
reflected in the composition of blood and other tissues. Hence, the demarcation
of abnormal from normal constituents of the body is another aim of the study of
clinical biochemistry.
History
of biochemistry
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| History |
The
word chemistry is derived from the Greek word "chemi" (the black
land), the ancient name of Egypt. Indian medical science, even from ancient
times, had identified the metabolic and genetic basis of diseases. Charaka, the
great master of Indian Medicine, in his treatise (circa 400 BC) observed that
madhumeha (diabetes mellitus) is produced by the alterations in the metabolism
of carbohydrates and fats; the statement still holds good. Biochemistry has
developed as an offshoot of organic chemistry, and this branch was often
referred to as "physiological chemistry". The term
"Biochemistry" was coined by Neuberg in 1903 from Greek words, bios
(= life) and chymos (= juice). One of the earliest treatises in biochemistry
was the "Book of Organic Chemistry and its Applications to Physiology and
Pathology", published in 1842 by Justus von Liebig (1803- 73), who
introduced the concept of metabolism. The "Textbook of Physiological Chemistry"
was published in 1877 by Felix Hoppe-Seyler (1825-95), who was a professor of
physiological chemistry at Strausbourge University, France.
Milestones
in the history of biochemistry
Some of the milestones in the development of the science of biochemistry The practice of
medicine is both an art and a science. The word "doctor" is derived
from the Latin root, "docere", which means "to teach".
Knowledge devoid of ethical background may sometimes be disastrous! Hippocrates
(460 BC to 377 BC), the father of modern medicine articulated "the
Oath". About one century earlier, Sushrutha (500 BC), the great Indian
surgeon, enunciated a code of conduct to the medical practitioners, which is
still valid. He proclaims: "You must speak only truth; care for the good
of all living beings; devote yourself to the healing of the sick even if your
life be lost by your work; be simply clothed and drink no intoxicant; always
seek to grow in knowledge; in face of God, you can take upon yourself these
vows."
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| Milestones |
Biochemistry is perhaps
the most rapidly developing subject in medicine. No wonder, the major share of
Nobel prizes in medicine has gone to research workers engaged in biochemistry.
Thanks to the advent of DNA-recombination technology, genes can now be
transferred from one person to another, so that many of the genetically
determined diseases are now amenable to gene therapy. Many genes, (e.g. human
insulin gene) have already been transferred to microorganisms for large-scale
production of human proteins. Advances in genomics like RNA interference for
silencing of genes and the creation of transgenic animals by gene targeting of
embryonic stem cells are
opening up new vistas in the therapy of diseases like
cancer and AIDS. It is hoped that in the future, physicians will be able to treat
the patient, understanding his genetic basis, so that very efficient
"designer medicine" could cure the diseases. A large amount of
data, especially about single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are
available, could be harnessed by "Bioinformatics". Computers are already
helping in the drug designing process. Studies on oncogenes have identified
molecular mechanisms of control of normal and abnormal cells. Medical practice
is now taking more and more help from the field of biochemistry. With the help
of the human genome project (HGP) the sequences of the whole human genes are now
available; it has already made a great impact on medicine and related health
sciences.
Scope
of biochemistry
There
is no exaggeration in the statement, ‘The scope of biochemistry is as vast as
life itself !’ Every aspect of life-birth, growth, reproduction, aging, and
death, involves biochemistry. For that matter, every movement of life is packed
with hundreds of biochemical reactions. Biochemistry is the most rapidly
developing and most innovative subject in medicine. This becomes evident from
the fact that over the years, the major share of Nobel Prizes earmarked for
Medicine and Physiology has gone to researchers engaged in biochemistry. The
discipline of biochemistry serves as a torchlight to trace the intricate
complexities of biology, besides unraveling the chemical mysteries of life.
Biochemical research has amply demonstrated that all living things are closely
related at the molecular level. Thus biochemistry is the subject of unity in
the diversified living kingdom. Advances in biochemistry have a tremendous impact
on human welfare and have largely benefited mankind and their living styles.
These include the application of biochemistry in the laboratory for the
diagnosis of diseases, the products (insulin, interferon, growth hormone, etc.)
obtained from genetic engineering, and the possible use of gene therapy shortly.
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