Biochemistry – Meaning and Scope

HP Kedilaya

Meaning of Biochemistry
Biology in its broadest sense may be regarded as the study of the biosphere, which consists of
organisms of all types and the environment in which they live.

Biochemistry is the chemistry of life and its environment.

Biochemistry is the science concerned with studying the various molecules that occur in living
organisms and their environment, with their chemical reactions and processes they undergo.

In other words, biochemistry deals with the structure and function of the body at the molecular
level.

The aim of biochemistry is to describe and explain, in molecular terms, all chemical processes of
living organisms and their interactions with their environments both in health and disease conditions.

Scope of Biochemistry
The scope of biochemistry is as wide as life itself. Wherever there is life, chemical processes are
occurring. Biochemists study the chemical processes that occur in microorganisms, plants, insects,
fish, birds, mammals and human beings. Students in the biomedical sciences will be particularly
interested in the biochemistry of the two latter groups.

Biochemistry is concerned with the entire spectrum of life forms, from relatively simple viruses and
bacteria to complex human being. Even evolution of life, which started with chemical evolution, works
at the molecular level (at the level of DNA).

Living organisms are enormously diverse in appearance and function. Birds, beasts, trees, grasses and
microscopic organisms differ greatly. Yet, biochemical research has revealed that all organisms are
remarkably alike at the cellular and chemical levels.

Biochemistry is the language of biology. The tools for research in all the branches of medical science
are mainly biochemical in nature.
Because life depends on biochemical reactions, biochemistry has become the basic language of all
biologic sciences. In fact, the old barriers among the life sciences are breaking down and biochemistry
is increasingly becoming their common language.

Genetic Engineering (DNA technology/recombinant DNA techniques), a branch of biochemistry, is the

most advanced and sophisticated tool of biotechnology.
Genetic engineering has applications in the fields of medicine, agriculture, animal farming, ecology,
paleontology, etc.

Advances in biochemistry are enabling researchers to tackle some of the most exciting questions in
biology. How life evolved on earth about 4 billion years ago? How a single molecule of DNA
replicates to generate two identical copies of itself? How does a cell divide? How does a fertilized egg
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give rise to cells as different as those in muscle, brain and liver? How do the senses work? How does
the immune system distinguish between self and non-self? What are the molecular mechanisms of
memory and behavior? Which molecules are involved in processes like sleep, aggression and various
moods and emotions?

Medical Biochemistry
Medical biochemistry deals with the chemical aspects of both health and diseases of human beings.
Normal biochemical processes are the basis of health. Conversely, every disease has a biochemical
basis. That is, all diseases are manifestations of abnormalities of molecules, chemical reactions, or
processes. A knowledge of biochemistry is essential to the understanding of all branches of medical
science, especially, physiology, immunology, pharmacology, pharmacy, toxicology, pathology, general
medicine, psychiatry, etc.

In pharmaceutical industry, for example, biochemistry is useful in the rational design of new drugs –
e.g. specific inhibitors of enzymes required for the replication of viruses such as human
immunodeficiency viruses (HIV)

Techniques of genetic engineering/DNA technology/recombinant DNA techniques, the most advanced

branch of biochemistry, have many medical applications:
1. Basic research for understanding structure and functions of DNA and proteins
2. Diagnosis of genetic and microbial diseases (e.g. aids)
3. Forensic applications (e.g. solving disputes of parenthood by DNA fingerprinting)
4. Production of proteins (in pharmaceutical industry) for:
a) Replacement therapy (e.g. insulin)
b) Disease prevention (e.g. vaccines)
c) Diagnostic tests (e.g. monoclonal antibodies).
5. Treatment of genetic diseases (e.g. gene therapy)

Most important use of medical biochemistry, however, is biochemical tests done in the clinical
laboratory.

The uses of biochemical tests are in – 1) diagnosis, 2) monitoring and 3) screening of diseases

Diagnosis – confirming or ruling out clinical diagnosis and assessment of severity/extent of diseases
and prognosis
Monitoring – following the progress of disease and its response to treatment
Screening – to detect early disease or risk factors to develop disease

Conclusions
Broadly, uses of biochemistry for medical science are as follows:
1. To understand and reveal the fundamental causes and mechanisms of disease processes.
2. To assist the diagnosis, monitoring and screening of specific diseases by the judicious use of
various biochemical laboratory tests.
3. To suggest rational strategy for the treatment and prevention of diseases.