1. Chapter 1 What is Biochemistry and How Does it Relate to Other Areas

2. Biochemistry
Defined as the science concerned with the chemical basis of life
Expanded definition: The science concerned with the chemical constituents of living cells and with the reactions and processes they undergo

3. Biochemistry is the common thread that links all life sciences
The book does a good job of linking Biochemistry with Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell biology, physics, and chemistry
The relationship between Biochemistry and Medicine has also stimulated mutual advances

4. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of “Complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity”
From a biochemical view, health may be considered that situation in which all of the many thousands of intra- and extra-cellular reactions that occur in the body are proceeding at rates commensurate with the organisms maximal survival in the physiological state

5. We believe that most, if not all, diseases are manifestations of abnormalities of molecules, chemical reactions, or biochemical processes.
As a matter of fact, the major factors for causing diseases in animals and humans fall into one or more of eight categories.

6. Physical agents Chemical agents Biological agents Oxygen lack
Mechanical trauma, extremes of temperature, sudden changes in atmospheric pressure, radiation, electric shock
Chemical agents
Drugs, toxins, therapeutic drugs, etc
Biological agents
Viruses, bacteria, fungi, higher forms of parasites
Oxygen lack
Loss of blood supply, depletion of the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, poisoning of the oxidative enzymes

7. Immunologic reactions Nutritional Imbalances Endocrine imbalances
Genetic Disorders
Congenital, molecular
Immunologic reactions
Anaphylaxis, autoimmune disease
Nutritional Imbalances
Deficiencies, excesses
Endocrine imbalances
Hormonal deficiencies, excesses

8. Uses of Biochemical investigations and laboratory tests in relation to diseases
To reveal the fundamental causes and mechanisms of diseases
Demonstration of the nature of the genetic defects in cystic fibrosis
To suggest rational treatments of diseases based on (1) above.
A diet low in phenylalanine for treatment of phenylketonuria
To assist in the diagnosis of specific diseases
Use of the plasma enzyme creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) in the diagnosis of myocardial infarctions

9. 5) To assist in monitoring the progress of certain diseases
4) To act as screening tests for the early diagnosis of certain diseases
Use of measurement of blood thyroxine or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the neonatal diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism
5) To assist in monitoring the progress of certain diseases
Use of the plasma enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in monitoring the progress of infectious hepatitis
6) To assist in assessing the response of diseases to therapy
Use of measurement of blood carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in certain patients who have been treated for cancer of the colon

10. Three Principal Areas of Biochemistry
Structural Chemistry
Metabolism
Molecular Genetics