Textbook of Biochemistry

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Biochemistry is otherwise known as biological chemistry. It is the
study of chemical reactions within the living organisms. It explains
the information about the flow of biochemical signaling and the flow of chemical energy through metabolism. Biochemical processes give rise to the complexity of life. It deals with the structures, functions and interactions of biological molecules, such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids. It provides information about the structure of cells and performance of the cells associated with life. It gives rise to the biological processes which help to study and understand the whole organisms.

Carbohydrates are defined as polyhydroxy alcohol with aldehyde or keto group.

Lipids are organic substances, insoluble in water, soluble in organic
solvents (alcohol, ether etc). They are related to fatty acids.

Nucleic acids are large biopolymers of nucleotides. They are essential for all forms of life which include DNA (Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid) and RNA (Ribo Nucleic Acid). They are made by monomers known as nucleotides. Each nucleotide has three components: Ribose or deoxy ribose, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base. If the sugar is deoxyribose, the polymer is DNA. If the sugar is ribose, the polymer is RNA. There are two types of nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids–1. Purines (guanine and adenine), 2. Pyrimidines (thymine, uracil and cytosine).

Enzymes are biocatalysts that increase the rate of reaction and are not consumed during the reaction. They are soluble, colloidal organic molecules formed by living cells. They are specific in action, protein in nature, inactive at 100°C. They function within a temperature and pH range.