Talk:Biochemistry

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rated top as intro to high school/SAT biology content - tameeria 14:24, 17 February 2007 (UTC)

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rated top as intro to high school/SAT biology content - tameeria 14:24, 17 February 2007 (UTC)

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I didn't want to unceremoniously trash Suzanne's text for this article (taken from BioChemistry), so I'm putting it here so that she or others may incorporate it in this page as appropriate --dja


Biochemistry considers the chemical properties of biological systems. Formally, biochemistry includes a description of the macromolecules, including proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, and [[:nucleic acids|nucleic acids]], and small molecules present in cells. The bulk of biochemical investigation focuses on the properties of proteins, many of which are enzymes. For historical reasons, the biochemistry of metabolism has been one of the most extensively described aspect of the cell.


have hopefully incorporated above material appropriatelly -- sodium


There seems to be no reference whatsoever to Dr. Wilhelm Schuessler, who discovered the 12 essential mineral elements of which the body is both composed and requires for life. Schuessler was a German Scientist, homoeopath and Medical Doctor who lived in Oldenburg Germany ( 1821 - 1898 )and considered the father of Biochemistry having worked with many such as Rudolf Virchow (cellular pathology) The first biochemic association was founded in Oldenburg on July 17th 1885.The Institute of Biochemistry (Schuessler) Biochemischer Bund Deutschland (Ev) is still "alive and well" with web page at www.biochemie-online.de Further information may be obtained in the English language by contacting The Institute of Biochemic medicine (Asia Pacific) A branch of the Biochemischer Bund Deutschland - which is located in Australia biochemics@bigpond.com.au

(removed from article --jag123 10:42, 28 Apr 2005 (UTC))

Contents

[edit] MCOTF:Suggestions here

Looking over the article, here are some of my suggestions:

  • the first line- biochemistry is the chemistry of life - a bit vague, isnt it? How about Biochemistry is the name given to a hybrid branch of chemistry which specialises in the chemical processes in living organisms....
  • subdisciplines section- I dont think it is just these topics that are covered - biochemistry is divided either into many topics such as carbs, proteins etc ~(+MANY more such as hormonal), or into cellular and molecular biochemistry. There is significant overlap with physiological disciplines.
  • More relevance to medical and zoological topics - introduction of topics like "pharmacology" or "toxicology".

What do you guys think?

PhatRita 15:18, 31 August 2005 (UTC)

Merriam-Webster defines it as "chemistry that deals with the chemical compounds and processes occurring in organisms". How about something like "Biochemistry is the chemistry of life, a bridge between biology and chemistry that studies how complex chemical reactions give rise to life. It is a hybrid branch of chemistry which specialises in the chemical processes in living organisms." Just writing that off the top of my head in the middle of the night. — Knowledge Seeker 05:26, September 1, 2005 (UTC)
Yes! That is a much more captivating introduction. Cybergoth 04:16, 2 September 2005 (UTC)

Regarding the Relationship to other "molecular-scale" biological sciences section:

  • I would suggust using the term molecular genetics rather than "genetics". It is more specific to the "molecular scale" of biochemisty. Cybergoth 04:21, 2 September 2005 (UTC)
    • I wasn't sure where you wanted this change, Cybergoth; why don't you go ahead and change it yourself—I agree with your suggestion. — Knowledge Seeker 04:17, September 5, 2005 (UTC)

I've started to expand this article, but there are a couple areas I'll need help on. I'll try to do some reading, but my memory of non-human biochemistry is pretty shaky—I barely remember the Calvin cycle and light and dark reactions and such; my microbial biochemistry is very weak too. Also, I may need some help with lipids—we'll see. Feel free to rewrite the sections I'm doing. Am I putting too much/too little in? — Knowledge Seeker 06:25, September 5, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Training

It would be interesting to have a section on training, similar to what's been added to articles about medical subspecialties. Jack Daw 18:37, 13 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Metabolism

The article metabolism is to a large extent an introduction to biochemistry and contains much more info on biochemistry than the present article does. therefore I think it should be more clearly highlighted here. --Etxrge (talk) 16:45, 5 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Animal Biochemistry

The article Animal Biochemistry could become a redirect or even deleted or what ever, but it is giving noting new! Somebody should get ride of it!--Stone (talk) 21:26, 8 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Neurobiochemistry

There should be some reference to the subfields of Biochemistry e.g. neurobiochemistry, clinical biochemistry and others. Those with knowledge in these fields could contribute. Also since the biochemistry page must be considered the "main page" more links to biochemistry pages would be nice. Magnusig (talk) 11:09, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Expansion on Lipids Functions in Article

The article mentions a fair amount of detail involving the roles of carbohydrates and proteins in biochemistry. Although lipids are defined, the article has no mention of their importance in biological systems. Extracting some of the information from the “Lipids” main-page would give a more complete overview as far as the macromolecules relevant to biochemistry. Including the below information would achieve this objective: The main biological functions of lipids include energy storage, acting as structural components of cell membranes, and participating as important signaling molecules. A biological membrane is a form of lipid bilayer, as is a liposome. The formation of lipid bilayers is an energetically-preferred process when glycerophospholipids are in an aqueous environment. In an aqueous system, the polar heads of lipids orientate towards the polar, aqueous environment, while the hydrophobic tails minimize their contact with water. Triacylglycerols, stored in adipose tissue, are a major form of energy storage in animals. Animals use triglycerides for energy storage because of its high caloric content (9 KCal/g), whereas plants, which do not require energy for movement, can afford to store food for energy in a less compact but more easily accessible form, such as starch (carbohydrate). Recently, evidence has arisen supporting the idea that lipid signaling is essential to cell signaling. Lipid signaling may occur via activation of GPCR's or nuclear receptors, and members of several different lipid categories have been identified as signaling molecules and cellular messengers. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Kjmusic13 (talk • contribs) 16:23, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Current Topics in Biochemistry

The article doesn’t address any current issues dealt with in the field of biochemistry. I feel as though it would be greatly enhanced if some of the big issues could be added to it in order to give an understanding of the impact of biochemistry on the world. These wouldn’t necessarily need to be very in depth, so long as a link was provided to another Wikipedia page discussing the topic. Taking information directly from the Wikipedia main pages and having them listed here would help alert the reader to the topics. Some important ones may include:

Stem Cells (Main page: Stem Cells)

Stem cells are cells found in most, if not all, multi-cellular organisms. They are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and differentiating into a diverse range of specialized cell types. Stem cell therapy is thought to be a way to help repair damaged tissues. However, there exists a widespread controversy over human embryonic stem cell research that emanates from the techniques used in the creation and usage of stem cells. Opponents of the research argue that embryonic stem cell technologies are a slippery slope to reproductive cloning and can fundamentally devalue human life. Those in the pro-life movement argue that a human embryo is a human life and is therefore entitled to protection. Contrarily, supporters of embryonic stem cell research argue that such research should be pursued because the resultant treatments could have significant medical potential. It is also noted that excess embryos created for in vitro fertilization could be donated with consent and used for the research.

Anabolic Steroid Use (Main page: Anabolic Steroid)

Performance enhancing substances have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine by societies around the world, with the aim of promoting vitality and strength. Anabolic steroids have been used by men and women in many different kinds of professional sports to attain a competitive edge or to assist in recovery from injury. Such use is prohibited by the rules of the governing bodies of many sports. Anabolic steroid use occurs among adolescents, especially by those participating in competitive sports. It has been suggested that the prevalence of use among high-school students in the U.S. may be as high as 2.7%. Male students used anabolic steroids more frequently than female students and, on average, those who participated in sports used steroids more often than those who did not.

Sammich117 (talk) 05:59, 3 June 2008 (UTC)