The meaning of biochemistry. What is biochemistry and what does it study Types of biochemistry

Biochemistry (from the Greek “bios” - “life”, biological or physiological) is a science that studies chemical processes inside a cell that affect the functioning of the entire organism or its specific organs. The goal of the science of biochemistry is to understand the chemical elements, composition and process of metabolism, and methods of its regulation in the cell. According to other definitions, biochemistry is the science of the chemical structure of cells and organisms of living beings.

To understand why biochemistry is needed, let’s imagine the sciences in the form of an elementary table.

As you can see, the basis for all sciences is anatomy, histology and cytology, which study all living things. On their basis, biochemistry, physiology and pathophysiology are built, where they study the functioning of organisms and the chemical processes within them. Without these sciences, the rest that are represented in the upper sector will not be able to exist.

There is another approach, according to which sciences are divided into 3 types (levels):

• Those that study the cellular, molecular and tissue level of life (the sciences of anatomy, histology, biochemistry, biophysics);
• Study pathological processes and diseases (pathophysiology, pathological anatomy);
• Diagnose the body's external response to disease (clinical sciences such as medicine and surgery).

This is how we found out what place biochemistry, or, as it is also called, medical biochemistry, occupies among the sciences. After all, any abnormal behavior of the body, the process of its metabolism will affect the chemical structure of cells and will manifest itself during the LHC.

Why are tests taken? What does a biochemical blood test show?

Blood biochemistry is a laboratory diagnostic method that shows diseases in various areas of medicine (for example, therapy, gynecology, endocrinology) and helps determine the functioning of internal organs and the quality of metabolism of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, as well as the sufficiency of microelements in the body.

BAC, or biochemical blood test, is an analysis that provides the broadest information regarding a variety of diseases. Based on its results, you can find out the functional state of the body and each organ in a separate case, because any ailment that attacks a person will one way or another manifest itself in the results of the LHC.

What is included in biochemistry?

It is not very convenient, and it is not necessary, to conduct biochemical studies of absolutely all indicators, and besides, the more of them, the more blood you need, and also the more expensive they will cost you. Therefore, a distinction is made between standard and complex tanks. The standard one is prescribed in most cases, but the extended one with additional indicators is prescribed by the doctor if he needs to find out additional nuances depending on the symptoms of the disease and the purpose of the analysis.

Basic indicators.

1. Total protein in the blood (TP, Total Protein).
2. Bilirubin.
3. Glucose, lipase.
4. ALT (Alanine aminotransferase, ALT) and AST (Aspartate aminotransferase, AST).
5. Creatinine.
6. Urea.
7. Electrolytes (Potassium, K/Calcium, Ca/Sodium, Na/Chlorine, Cl/Magnesium, Mg).
8. Total cholesterol.

The expanded profile includes any of these additional indicators (as well as others, very specific and narrowly focused, not indicated in this list).

Biochemical general therapeutic standard: adult norms

Decoding biochemistry

The decoding of the data described above is carried out according to certain values ​​and standards.

1. Total protein is the amount of total protein found in the human body. Exceeding the norm indicates various inflammations in the body (problems of the liver, kidneys, genitourinary system, burn disease or cancer), with dehydration (dehydration) during vomiting, sweating in particularly large quantities, intestinal obstruction or multiple myeloma, deficiency - an imbalance in a nutritious diet, prolonged fasting, intestinal disease, liver disease, or in case of impaired synthesis as a result of hereditary diseases.
2. 
   Albumen‒ this is a highly concentrated protein fraction contained in the blood. It binds water, and its low amount leads to the development of edema - water is not retained in the blood and enters the tissues. Usually, if protein decreases, then the amount of albumin decreases.
3. General analysis of bilirubin in plasma(direct and indirect) - this is the diagnosis of a pigment that is formed after the breakdown of hemoglobin (it is toxic for humans). Hyperbilirubinemia (exceeding the level of bilirubin) is called jaundice, and clinical jaundice is subhepatic (including in newborns), hepatocellular and subhepatic. It indicates anemia, extensive hemorrhages subsequently hemolytic anemia, hepatitis, liver destruction, oncology and other diseases. It is scary because of liver pathology, but it can also increase in a person who has suffered blows and injuries.
4. Glucose. Its level determines carbohydrate metabolism, that is, energy in the body, and how the pancreas works. If there is a lot of glucose, it may be diabetes, physical activity, or the effect of taking hormonal drugs; if there is little, it may be hyperfunction of the pancreas, diseases of the endocrine system.
5. Lipase – It is a fat-breaking enzyme that plays an important role in metabolism. Its increase indicates pancreatic disease.
6. ALT– “liver marker”; it is used to monitor pathological processes in the liver. An increased rate indicates problems with the heart, liver or hepatitis (viral).
7. AST– “heart marker”, it shows the quality of the heart. Exceeding the norm indicates a disruption of the heart and hepatitis.
8. Creatinine– provides information about the functioning of the kidneys. It is elevated if a person has acute or chronic kidney disease or there is destruction of muscle tissue or endocrine disorders. Increased in people who eat a lot of meat products. And therefore, creatinine is lowered in vegetarians, as well as in pregnant women, but it will not greatly affect the diagnosis.
9. Urea analysis- This is a study of the products of protein metabolism, liver and kidney function. An overestimation of the indicator occurs when there is a malfunction of the kidneys, when they cannot cope with the removal of fluid from the body, and a decrease is typical for pregnant women, with diet and disorders associated with liver function.
10. Ggt in biochemical analysis it informs about the metabolism of amino acids in the body. Its high rate is visible in alcoholism, as well as if the blood is affected by toxins or dysfunction of the liver and biliary tract is suspected. Low – if there are chronic liver diseases.
11. Ldg The study characterizes the course of the energy processes of glycolysis and lactate. A high indicator indicates a negative effect on the liver, lungs, heart, pancreas or kidneys (pneumonia, heart attack, pancreatitis and others). A low lactate dehydrogenase level, like low creatinine, will not affect the diagnosis. If LDH is elevated, the reasons in women may be the following: increased physical activity and pregnancy. In newborns, this figure is also slightly higher.
12. Electrolyte balance indicates the normal process of metabolism into the cell and out of the cell back, including the process of the heart. Nutritional disorders are often the main cause of electrolyte imbalance, but it can also be vomiting, diarrhea, hormonal imbalance or kidney failure.
13. Cholesterol(cholesterol) total - increases if a person has obesity, atherosclerosis, liver dysfunction, thyroid gland, and decreases when a person goes on a low-fat diet, with septicism or other infection.
14. Amylase- an enzyme found in saliva and pancreas. A high level will indicate if there is cholecystitis, signs of diabetes mellitus, peritonitis, mumps and pancreatitis. It will also increase if you consume alcoholic beverages or drugs - glucocorticoids, which is also typical for pregnant women during toxicosis.

There are a lot of biochemistry indicators, both basic and additional; complex biochemistry is also carried out, which includes both basic and additional indicators at the discretion of the doctor.

To take biochemistry on an empty stomach or not: how to prepare for the analysis?

A blood test for HD is a responsible process, and you need to prepare for it in advance and with all seriousness.

These measures are necessary so that the analysis is more accurate and no additional factors influence it. Otherwise, you will have to retake the tests, since the slightest changes in conditions will significantly affect the metabolic process.

Where do they get it from and how to donate blood?

Donating blood for biochemistry involves taking blood with a syringe from a vein on the elbow, sometimes from a vein on the forearm or hand. On average, 5-10 ml of blood is enough to measure basic indicators. If a detailed biochemistry analysis is needed, then a larger volume of blood is taken.

The norm of biochemistry indicators on specialized equipment from different manufacturers may differ slightly from the average limits. The express method involves obtaining results within one day.

The procedure for drawing blood is almost painless: you sit down, the treatment nurse prepares a syringe, puts a tourniquet on your arm, treats the area where the injection will be given with an antiseptic and takes a blood sample.

The resulting sample is placed in a test tube and sent to the laboratory for diagnosis. The laboratory doctor places the plasma sample into a special device that is designed to determine biochemical parameters with high accuracy. He also processes and stores blood, determines the dosage and procedure for conducting biochemistry, diagnoses the results obtained, depending on the indicators required by the attending physician, and prepares a form for the results of biochemistry and laboratory chemical analysis.

Laboratory chemical analysis is transmitted within a day to the attending physician, who makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.

The LHC, with its many different indicators, makes it possible to see an extensive clinical picture of a specific person and a specific disease.

In this article we will answer the question of what biochemistry is. Here we will look at the definition of this science, its history and research methods, pay attention to some processes and define its sections.

Introduction

To answer the question of what biochemistry is, suffice it to say that it is a science devoted to the chemical composition and processes occurring inside a living cell of the body. However, it has many components, having learned which, you can get a more specific idea of ​​it.

In some temporary episodes of the 19th century, the terminological unit “biochemistry” began to be used for the first time. However, it was introduced into scientific circles only in 1903 by a chemist from Germany, Carl Neuberg. This science occupies an intermediate position between biology and chemistry.

Historical facts

Humanity was able to clearly answer the question of what biochemistry is only about a hundred years ago. Despite the fact that society used biochemical processes and reactions in ancient times, it was not aware of the presence of their true essence.

Some of the most distant examples are bread making, winemaking, cheese making, etc. A number of questions about the healing properties of plants, health problems, etc. forced a person to delve into their basis and the nature of the activity.

The development of a general set of directions that ultimately led to the creation of biochemistry can be observed already in ancient times. A scientist-doctor from Persia in the tenth century wrote a book about the canons of medical science, where he was able to describe in detail various medicinal substances. In the 17th century, van Helmont proposed the term “enzyme” as a unit of reagent of a chemical nature involved in digestive processes.

In the 18th century, thanks to the works of A.L. Lavoisier and M.V. Lomonosov, the law of conservation of mass of matter was derived. At the end of the same century, the importance of oxygen in the process of respiration was determined.

In 1827, science made it possible to create the division of biological molecules into compounds of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. These terms are still used today. A year later, in the work of F. Wöhler, it was proven that substances in living systems can be synthesized by artificial means. Another important event was the production and formulation of a theory of the structure of organic compounds.

The fundamentals of biochemistry took many hundreds of years to form, but were clearly defined in 1903. This science became the first biological discipline that had its own system of mathematical analysis.

25 years later, in 1928, F. Griffith conducted an experiment whose purpose was to study the transformation mechanism. The scientist infected mice with pneumococci. He killed bacteria from one strain and added them to bacteria from another. The study found that the process of purifying disease-causing agents resulted in the formation of nucleic acid rather than protein. The list of discoveries is still growing.

Availability of related disciplines

Biochemistry is a separate science, but its creation was preceded by an active process of development of the organic branch of chemistry. The main difference lies in the objects of study. Biochemistry considers only those substances or processes that can occur in the conditions of living organisms, and not outside them.

Biochemistry eventually incorporated the concept of molecular biology. They differ from each other mainly in their methods of action and the subjects they study. Currently, the terminological units “biochemistry” and “molecular biology” have begun to be used as synonyms.

Availability of sections

Today, biochemistry includes a number of research areas, including:

The branch of static biochemistry is the science of the chemical composition of living beings, structures and molecular diversity, functions, etc.

There are a number of sections studying biological polymers of protein, lipid, carbohydrate, amino acid molecules, as well as nucleic acids and the nucleotide itself.

Biochemistry, which studies vitamins, their role and form of influence on the body, possible disturbances in vital processes due to deficiency or excessive amounts.

Hormonal biochemistry is a science that studies hormones, their biological effect, the causes of deficiency or excess.

The science of metabolism and its mechanisms is a dynamic branch of biochemistry (includes bioenergetics).

Molecular Biology Research.

The functional component of biochemistry studies the phenomenon of chemical transformations responsible for the functionality of all components of the body, starting with tissues and ending with the whole body.

Medical biochemistry is a section on the patterns of metabolism between the structures of the body under the influence of diseases.

There are also branches of the biochemistry of microorganisms, humans, animals, plants, blood, tissues, etc.

Research and Problem Solving Tools

Biochemistry methods are based on fractionation, analysis, detailed study and examination of the structure of both an individual component and the whole organism or its substance. Most of them were formed during the 20th century, and chromatography, the process of centrifugation and electrophoresis, became the most widely known.



At the end of the 20th century, biochemical methods began to increasingly find their application in molecular and cellular branches of biology. The structure of the entire human DNA genome has been determined. This discovery made it possible to learn about the existence of a huge number of substances, in particular various proteins, that were not detected during the purification of biomass, due to their extremely low content in the substance.

Genomics has challenged a huge amount of biochemical knowledge and led to the development of changes in its methodology. The concept of computer virtual modeling appeared.

Chemical component

Physiology and biochemistry are closely related. This is explained by the dependence of the rate of occurrence of all physiological processes with the content of a different number of chemical elements.



There are 90 components of the periodic table of chemical elements found in nature, but about a quarter are needed for life. Our body does not need many rare components at all.

The different positions of a taxon in the hierarchical table of living beings determine different needs for the presence of certain elements.

99% of human mass consists of six elements (C, H, N, O, F, Ca). In addition to the main amount of these types of atoms that form substances, we need 19 more elements, but in small or microscopic volumes. Among them are: Zn, Ni, Ma, K, Cl, Na and others.

Protein biomolecule

The main molecules studied by biochemistry are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and the attention of this science is focused on their hybrids.

Proteins are large compounds. They are formed by linking chains of monomers - amino acids. Most living beings obtain proteins through the synthesis of twenty types of these compounds.

These monomers differ from each other in the structure of the radical group, which plays a huge role during protein folding. The purpose of this process is to form a three-dimensional structure. Amino acids are connected to each other by forming peptide bonds.

When answering the question of what biochemistry is, one cannot fail to mention such complex and multifunctional biological macromolecules as proteins. They have more tasks than polysaccharides or nucleic acids to perform.

Some proteins are represented by enzymes and are involved in catalyzing various reactions of a biochemical nature, which is very important for metabolism. Other protein molecules can act as signaling mechanisms, form cytoskeletons, participate in immune defense, etc.

Some types of proteins are capable of forming non-protein biomolecular complexes. Substances created by fusing proteins with oligosaccharides allow the existence of molecules such as glycoproteins, and interaction with lipids leads to the appearance of lipoproteins.

Nucleic acid molecule

Nucleic acids are represented by complexes of macromolecules consisting of a polynucleotide set of chains. Their main functional purpose is to encode hereditary information. Nucleic acid synthesis occurs due to the presence of mononucleoside triphosphate macroenergetic molecules (ATP, TTP, UTP, GTP, CTP).

The most widespread representatives of such acids are DNA and RNA. These structural elements are found in every living cell, from archaea to eukaryotes, and even viruses.

Lipid molecule

Lipids are molecular substances composed of glycerol, to which fatty acids (1 to 3) are attached through ester bonds. Such substances are divided into groups according to the length of the hydrocarbon chain, and attention is also paid to saturation. The biochemistry of water does not allow it to dissolve lipid (fat) compounds. As a rule, such substances dissolve in polar solutions.



The main tasks of lipids are to provide energy to the body. Some are part of hormones, can perform a signaling function or transport lipophilic molecules.

carbohydrate molecule

Carbohydrates are biopolymers formed by combining monomers, which in this case are represented by monosaccharides, such as glucose or fructose. The study of plant biochemistry has allowed man to determine that the bulk of carbohydrates are contained in them.

These biopolymers find their use in structural function and providing energy resources to an organism or cell. In plant organisms the main storage substance is starch, and in animals it is glycogen.

The course of the Krebs cycle

There is a Krebs cycle in biochemistry - a phenomenon during which the predominant number of eukaryotic organisms receive most of the energy spent on the oxidation processes of ingested food.

It can be observed inside cellular mitochondria. It is formed through several reactions, during which reserves of “hidden” energy are released.

In biochemistry, the Krebs cycle is an important fragment of the general respiratory process and material metabolism within cells. The cycle was discovered and studied by H. Krebs. For this, the scientist received the Nobel Prize.

This process is also called an electron transfer system. This is due to the concomitant conversion of ATP to ADP. The first compound, in turn, is responsible for ensuring metabolic reactions through the release of energy.

Biochemistry and medicine

Biochemistry of medicine is presented to us as a science that covers many areas of biological and chemical processes. Currently, there is an entire industry in education that trains specialists for these studies.

Every living thing is studied here: from bacteria or viruses to the human body. Having a specialty as a biochemist gives the subject the opportunity to follow the diagnosis and analyze the treatment applicable to the individual unit, draw conclusions, etc.



To prepare a highly qualified expert in this field, you need to train him in natural sciences, medical fundamentals and biotechnological disciplines, and conduct many tests in biochemistry. The student is also given the opportunity to practically apply their knowledge.

Universities of biochemistry are currently becoming increasingly popular, which is due to the rapid development of this science, its importance for humans, demand, etc.

Among the most famous educational institutions where specialists in this branch of science are trained, the most popular and significant are: Moscow State University. Lomonosov, Perm State Pedagogical University named after. Belinsky, Moscow State University. Ogarev, Kazan and Krasnoyarsk State Universities and others.

The list of documents required for admission to such universities does not differ from the list for admission to other higher education institutions. Biology and chemistry are the main subjects that must be taken upon admission.

Hospital patients and their relatives often wonder what biochemistry is. This word can be used in two meanings: as science and as a designation for a biochemical blood test. Let's look at each of them.

Biochemistry as a science

Biological or physiological chemistry - biochemistry is a science that studies the chemical composition of the cells of any living organisms. In the course of its study, the patterns in accordance with which all chemical reactions occur in living tissues that ensure the vital functions of organisms are also examined.

Scientific disciplines related to biochemistry are molecular biology, organic chemistry, cell biology, etc. The word “biochemistry” can be used, for example, in the sentence: “Biochemistry as a separate science was formed approximately 100 years ago.”

But you can learn more about similar science if you read our article.

Blood biochemistry

A biochemical blood test involves a laboratory study of various indicators in the blood, tests are taken from a vein (the process of venipuncture). Based on the results of the study, it is possible to assess the condition of the body, and specifically its organs and systems. More information about this analysis can be found in our section.

Thanks to blood biochemistry, you can find out how the kidneys, liver, heart work, as well as determine the rheumatic factor, water-salt balance, etc.

Animals, plants, fungi, viruses, bacteria. The number of representatives of each kingdom is so large that one can only wonder how we all fit on Earth. But, despite such diversity, all living things on the planet share several basic features.

The commonality of all living things

The evidence comes from several basic features of living organisms:

• nutritional needs (energy consumption and its transformation within the body);
• breathing needs;
• ability to reproduce;
• growth and development throughout the life cycle.

Any of the listed processes is represented in the body by a mass of chemical reactions. Every second, hundreds of reactions of synthesis and decomposition of organic molecules occur inside any living creature, and especially a person. The structure, features of chemical action, interaction with each other, synthesis, decomposition and construction of new structures of molecules of organic and inorganic structure - all this is the subject of study of a large, interesting and diverse science. Biochemistry is a young, progressive field of knowledge that studies everything that happens inside living beings.

An object

The object of study of biochemistry is only living organisms and all the life processes occurring in them. Specifically, the chemical reactions that occur during the absorption of food, the release of waste products, growth and development. Thus, the basics of biochemistry are the study of:

1. Non-cellular forms of life - viruses.
2. Prokaryotic bacterial cells.
3. Higher and lower plants.
4. Animals of all known classes.
5. Human body.

At the same time, biochemistry itself is a fairly young science, which arose only with the accumulation of a sufficient amount of knowledge about the internal processes in living beings. Its emergence and isolation dates back to the second half of the 19th century.

Modern branches of biochemistry

At the present stage of development, biochemistry includes several main sections, which are presented in the table.

Thus, we can say that biochemistry is a whole complex of small sciences that cover the whole variety of the most complex internal processes of living systems.

Affiliated Sciences

Over time, so much different knowledge has accumulated and so many scientific skills have been formed in processing research results, breeding bacterial colonies and RNA, inserting known sections of the genome with given properties, and so on, that there is a need for additional sciences that are subsidiary to biochemistry. These are sciences such as:

• molecular biology;
• Genetic Engineering;
• gene surgery;
• molecular genetics;
• enzymology;
• immunology;
• molecular biophysics.

Each of the listed areas of knowledge has a lot of achievements in the study of bioprocesses in living biological systems, and therefore is very important. All of them belong to the sciences of the 20th century.

Reasons for the intensive development of biochemistry and related sciences

In 1958, Korana discovered the gene and its structure, after which the genetic code was deciphered in 1961. Then the structure of the DNA molecule was established - a double-stranded structure capable of reduplication (self-reproduction). All the subtleties of metabolic processes (anabolism and catabolism) were described, the tertiary and quaternary structure of the protein molecule was studied. And this is not a complete list of the most significant discoveries of the 20th century, which form the basis of biochemistry. All these discoveries belong to biochemists and science itself as such. Therefore, there are many prerequisites for its development. We can identify several modern reasons for its dynamism and intensity in its formation.

1. The basis of most chemical processes occurring in living organisms has been revealed.
2. The principle of unity in most physiological and energetic processes for all living beings has been formulated (for example, they are the same in bacteria and humans).
3. Medical biochemistry provides the key to treating a host of various complex and dangerous diseases.
4. With the help of biochemistry, it has become possible to approach the solution of the most global issues of biology and medicine.

Hence the conclusion: biochemistry is a progressive, important and very broad-spectrum science that allows us to find answers to many questions of humanity.

Biochemistry in Russia

In our country, biochemistry is as progressive and important a science as in the whole world. On the territory of Russia there are the Institute of Biochemistry named after. A. N. Bakh RAS, Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms named after. G.K. Scriabin RAS, Research Institute of Biochemistry SB RAS. Our scientists have a great role and many merits in the history of the development of science. For example, the method of immunoelectropheresis, the mechanisms of glycolysis were discovered, the principle of nucleotide complementarity in the structure of the DNA molecule was formulated, and a number of other important discoveries were made. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. Basically, not entire institutes were formed, but the department of biochemistry in some of the universities. However, soon there was a need to expand the space for studying this science due to its intensive development.

Biochemical processes of plants

The biochemistry of plants is inextricably linked with physiological processes. In general, the subject of study of plant biochemistry and physiology is:

• vital activity of a plant cell;
• photosynthesis;
• breath;
• water regime of plants;
• mineral nutrition;
• quality of the crop and the physiology of its formation;
• plant resistance to pests and unfavorable environmental conditions.

Implications for agriculture

Knowledge of the deep processes of biochemistry in plant cells and tissues makes it possible to increase the quality and quantity of crops of cultivated agricultural plants, which are mass producers of important food products for all mankind. In addition, the physiology and biochemistry of plants make it possible to find ways to solve problems of pest infestation, plant resistance to unfavorable environmental conditions, and make it possible to improve the quality of crop products.

Biological chemistry Lelevich Vladimir Valeryanovich

Chapter 1. Introduction to Biochemistry

Chapter 1. Introduction to Biochemistry

Biological chemistry- a science that studies the chemical nature of substances that make up living organisms, the transformations of these substances (metabolism), as well as the connection of these transformations with the activity of individual tissues and the entire organism as a whole.

Biochemistry – is the science of the molecular basis of life. There are several reasons why biochemistry is attracting a lot of attention and developing rapidly these days.

1. Firstly, biochemists managed to elucidate the chemical basis of a number of important biochemical processes.

2. Secondly, common pathways for the transformation of molecules and general principles underlying the various manifestations of life have been discovered.

3. Thirdly, biochemistry is having an increasingly profound impact on medicine.

4. Fourthly, the rapid development of biochemistry in recent years has allowed researchers to begin studying the most pressing, fundamental problems of biology and medicine.

History of the development of biochemistry

In the history of the development of biochemical knowledge and biochemistry as a science, 4 periods can be distinguished.

I period - from ancient times to the Renaissance (XV century). This is a period of practical use of biochemical processes without knowledge of their theoretical foundations and the first, sometimes very primitive, biochemical research. In the most distant times, people already knew the technology of such industries based on biochemical processes as bread baking, cheese making, wine making, and leather tanning. The use of plants for food purposes, for the preparation of paints, and fabrics prompted attempts to understand the properties of individual substances of plant origin.

II period - from the beginning of the Renaissance to the second half of the 19th century, when biochemistry became an independent science. The great researcher of that time, author of many masterpieces of art, architect, engineer, anatomist Leonardo da Vinci conducted experiments and, based on their results, made an important conclusion for those years that a living organism can only exist in an atmosphere in which a flame can burn.

During this period, it is worth highlighting the works of such scientists as Paracelsus, M.V. Lomonosov, Yu. Liebig, A.M. Butlerov, Lavoisier.

III period - from the second half of the 19th century to the 50s of the 20th century. Marked by a sharp increase in the intensity and depth of biochemical research, the volume of information obtained, and increased applied significance - the use of biochemical achievements in industry, medicine, and agriculture. The works of one of the founders of Russian biochemistry, A. Ya. Danilevsky (1838–1923), M. V. Nentsky (1847–1901), date back to this time. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the largest German organic chemist and biochemist E. Fischer (1862–1919) worked. He formulated the basic principles of the polypeptide theory of proteins, which began with the research of A. Ya. Danilevsky. The works of the great Russian scientist K. A. Timiryazev (1843–1920), the founder of the Soviet biochemical school A. N. Bach, and the German biochemist O. Warburg date back to this time. In 1933, G. Krebs studied in detail the ornithine cycle of urea formation, and his discovery of the tricarboxylic acid cycle dates back to 1937. In 1933, D. Keilin (England) isolated cytochrome C and reproduced the process of electron transfer along the respiratory chain in preparations from the heart muscle. In 1938, A.E. Braunstein and M.G. Kritsman first described transamination reactions, which are key in nitrogen metabolism.

IV period – from the early 50s of the 20th century to the present. It is characterized by the widespread use of physical, physicochemical, and mathematical methods in biochemical research, active and successful study of basic biological processes (biosynthesis of proteins and nucleic acids) at the molecular and supramolecular levels.

Here is a brief chronology of the main discoveries in biochemistry of this period:

1953 – J. Watson and F. Crick proposed a double helix model of DNA structure.

1953 – F. Sanger first deciphered the amino acid sequence of the insulin protein.

1961 – M. Nirenberg deciphered the first “letter” of the protein synthesis code – the DNA triplet corresponding to phenylalanine.

1966 – P. Mitchell formulated the chemiosmotic theory of the coupling of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation.

1969 – R. Merifield chemically synthesized the enzyme ribonuclease.

1971 - in the joint work of two laboratories led by Yu. A. Ovchinnikov and A. E. Braunstein, the primary structure of aspartate aminotransferase, a protein of 412 amino acids, was established.

1977 - F. Sanger for the first time completely deciphered the primary structure of the DNA molecule (phage? X 174).

Development of medical biochemistry in Belarus

Since the creation of the Department of Biochemistry at the Belarusian State University in 1923, professional training of national biochemical personnel began. In 1934, the Department of Biochemistry was organized at the Vitebsk Medical Institute, in 1959 - at the Grodno Medical Institute, in 1992 - at the Gomel Medical Institute. Famous scientists and major specialists in the field of biochemistry were invited and elected to head the departments: A. P. Bestuzhev, G. V. Derviz, L. E. Taranovich, N. E. Glushakova, V. K. Kukhta, V. S. Shapot , L. G. Orlova, A. A. Chirkin, Yu. M. Ostrovsky, N. K. Lukashik. The formation of scientific schools in the field of medical biochemistry was greatly influenced by the activities of such outstanding scientists as M. F. Merezhinsky (1906–1970), V. A. Bondarin (1909–1985), L. S. Cherkasova (1909–1998), V. S. Shapot (1909–1989), Yu. M. Ostrovsky (1925–1991), A. T. Pikulev (1931–1993).

In 1970, the Department of Metabolic Regulation of the Academy of Sciences of the BSSR was created in Grodno, which was transformed in 1985 into the Institute of Biochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The first head of the department and director of the institute was Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the BSSR Yu. M. Ostrovsky. Under his leadership, a comprehensive study of vitamins, in particular thiamine, was begun. Works

Yu. M. Ostrovsky was supplemented and continued in the research of his students: N. K. Lukashik, A. I. Balakleevsky, A. N. Razumovich, R. V. Trebukhina, F. S. Larin, A. G. Moiseenko.

The most important practical results of the activities of scientific biochemical schools were the organization of the state laboratory service of the republic (Professor V. G. Kolb), the opening at the Vitebsk Medical Institute of the Republican Lipid Treatment and Diagnostic Center for Metabolic Therapy (Professor A. A. Chirkin), the creation at the Grodno Medical Institute Laboratory of Medical and Biological Problems of Narcology (Professor V.V. Lelevich).

1. The composition and structure of chemical substances of a living organism - static biochemistry.

2. The entire set of transformations of substances in the body (metabolism) is dynamic biochemistry.

3. Biochemical processes underlying various manifestations of life - functional biochemistry.

4. Structure and mechanism of action of enzymes - enzymology.

5. Bioenergy.

6. Molecular basis of heredity - transfer of genetic information.

7. Regulatory mechanisms of metabolism.

8. Molecular mechanisms of specific functional processes.

9. Features of metabolism in organs and tissues.

Sections and directions of biochemistry

1. Biochemistry of humans and animals.

2. Biochemistry of plants.

3. Biochemistry of microorganisms.

4. Medical biochemistry.

5. Technical biochemistry.

6. Evolutionary biochemistry.

7. Quantum biochemistry.

Objects of biochemical research

1. Organisms.

2. Individual organs and tissues.

3. Sections of organs and tissues.

4. Homogenates of organs and tissues.

5. Biological fluids.

6. Cells.

7. Yeast, bacteria.

8. Subcellular components and organelles.

9. Enzymes.

10. Chemicals (metabolites).

Biochemistry methods

1. Homogenization of tissues.

2. Centrifugation:

Simple

Ultracentrifugation

Density gradient centrifugation.

3. Dialysis.

4. Electrophoresis.

5. Chromatography.

6. Isotope method.

7. Colorimetry.

8. Spectrophotometry.

9. Determination of enzymatic activity.

Relationship between biochemistry and other disciplines

1. Bioorganic chemistry

2. Physical colloid chemistry

3. Biophysical chemistry

4. Molecular biology

5. Genetics

6. Normal physiology

7. Pathological physiology

8. Clinical disciplines

9. Pharmacology

10. Clinical biochemistry