Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Learn the Basics
• Part 2 of 3: Memorize Metabolic Pathways
• Part 3 of 3: Organizing Your Learning

Biochemistry combines biology and chemistry. This science deals with the study of metabolic pathways (chemical transformations) in living organisms at the cellular level. In addition to the fact that biochemistry studies metabolic pathways in plants and microorganisms, it is an experimental science that requires appropriate special equipment. This broad science is based on a number of basic concepts and ideas that are studied at the beginning of the biochemistry course.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Learn the Basics

1. 1 Remember the structure of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of all proteins. When studying biochemistry, it is necessary to remember the structure and properties of all 20 amino acids. Learn their one-letter and three-letter notations so that you can easily recognize them later.
   • Examine the five groups of amino acids, four acids in each group.
   • Remember the important properties of amino acids such as charge and polarity.
   • Draw the structure of amino acids over and over again until it stays in your memory.
2. 2 Become familiar with the structure of proteins. Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids. To know the basics of biochemistry, it is necessary to recognize the different levels of protein structure and be able to depict the most important ones (alpha-helices and beta-sheets). There are four levels of protein structure:
   • The primary structure is a linear arrangement of amino acids.
   • The secondary structure corresponds to the regions of the protein in the form of alpha-helices and beta-sheets.
   • Tertiary structure is the three-dimensional structure of a protein molecule, which is due to the interaction of amino acids. It is the physiological form of protein. The tertiary structure of many proteins is still unknown.
   • The quaternary structure results from the interaction of several proteins that form a larger protein molecule.
3. 3 Learn about the pH level. The pH level of a solution characterizes its acidity. It indicates the amount of hydrogen and hydroxide ions present in the solution. Acidic solutions contain more hydrogen ions and relatively few hydroxide ions. Conversely, hydroxide ions predominate in alkaline solutions.
   • Acids act as donors of hydrogen ions (H).
   • Alkalis are acceptors of hydrogen ions (H).
4. 4 Learn to determine pK_a solution. Dissociation constant of acid K_a shows how easily the acid gives up hydrogen ions in a given solution. This constant is defined as K_a = [H] [A] / [HA]. For most solutions K_a can be found in tables in reference books or on the Internet. PK value_a is defined as the negative decimal logarithm of the constant K_a.
   • Strong acids have very low pK values_a.
5. 5 Learn to find pH by pK_a using the Henderson-Hasselbach equation. This equation is used to prepare buffer solutions in the laboratory. The Henderson-Hasselbach equation is written as follows: pH = pK_a + lg [base] / [acid]. PK value_a solution is equal to the pH level of this solution if the concentrations of acid and base are the same.
   • A buffer solution is a solution whose pH level does not change with the addition of a moderate amount of acid or base. Such solutions are important to maintain a constant pH level.
6. 6 Learn about ionic and covalent chemical bonds. An ionic bond between atoms occurs when one or more electrons pass from one atom to another. As a result, positive and negative ions are formed, which are attracted to each other. In a covalent bond, atoms exchange electron pairs.
   • Other types of interactions are also important, such as hydrogen bonding, in which there is an attraction between hydrogen atoms and molecules with high electronegativity.
   • The type of bond between atoms determines some of the properties of molecules.
7. 7 Learn about enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that play an important role in the body - they catalyze (speed up) biochemical reactions. Almost every biochemical reaction in the body is accelerated by a certain enzyme, therefore, the study of the catalytic action of enzymes is the most important task of biochemistry. Catalytic mechanisms are studied mainly from the point of view of kinetics.
   • Enzyme inhibition is used in pharmacology to treat many types of diseases.

Part 2 of 3: Memorize Metabolic Pathways

1. 1 Read up on metabolic pathways and study related charts. There are many important metabolic pathways to remember when studying biochemistry. In particular, these pathways include: glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, the tricarboxylic acid cycle (Krebs cycle), the respiratory electron transport chain, photosynthesis.
   • Read the description of metabolic pathways and study their images in diagrams.
   • It is possible that on the exam you will be asked to draw a complete diagram of a particular metabolic pathway.
2. 2 Learn one path at a time. If you try to learn all the metabolic pathways at the same time, you will get confused and not be able to remember any of them properly. Focus on one path and devote a few days to it before moving on to the next.
   • After you memorize a path, try not to forget it. Draw this path often to refresh your memory.
3. 3 Draw the main path. Start by learning about the main metabolic pathway. Some pathways are repetitive cycles (tricarboxylic acid cycle), others are linear (glycolysis). To begin with, memorize the shape of the path, where it begins, which substances are disintegrated and which are synthesized.
   • At the beginning of each cycle, there are parent molecules such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or glucose, and end products such as adenosine triphosphate or glycogen. First of all, remember the starting materials and final products.
4. 4 Examine coenzymes and metabolites. Now check out this path in more detail. Metabolites are intermediates that are formed during the process and are used in subsequent reactions. There are also coenzymes that make the reaction possible or speed it up.
   • Don't automatically memorize the material without understanding.Pay attention to how some substances are converted to others in order to truly understand the process, and not just memorize it.
5. 5 Write down the enzymes you need. The final step in the study of the metabolic pathway is to add to it the enzymes necessary for the reactions to proceed. This step-by-step memorization of the path will make your task easier. You will complete the study of the metabolic pathway after you memorize the names of the corresponding enzymes.
   • After that, you can easily write down all the proteins, metabolites and molecules that are involved in this metabolic pathway.
6. 6 Repeat the learned paths regularly. This type of information should be refreshed weekly or you will forget it. Repeat a metabolic pathway every day. By the end of the week, you’ll repeat all the paths and can start over the next week.
   • When it’s time for a test or exam, you don’t have to frantically memorize metabolic pathways because you’ll already know them.

Part 3 of 3: Organizing Your Learning

1. 1 Read the tutorial. Reading a textbook is essential when studying any subject. Read the relevant material before class. Take a short summary of what you read to help you prepare better for class.
   • Read carefully. After each section, jot down briefly and write down the most important points.
   • Try answering some of the questions at the end of the section to check your understanding of the material.
2. 2 Study the pictures in the textbook carefully. These pictures contain a lot of important information and help to better represent what is described in the text. It is often much easier to understand something by looking at the drawing, rather than just reading the text.
   • Carry over important drawings in your notes so that you can return to them later.
3. 3 Mark your notes with different colors. There are many complex processes in biochemistry. Develop a color scheme for your notes. For example, you can mark a complex material with one color, and use another color for a simple and understandable material.
   • Use the system that's right for you. Don't mindlessly rewrite your friend's notes, or you will gain a better understanding of the material.
   • Do not overdo it. While too many different colors will give your abstract a colorful look, it will not make the material easier to understand.
4. 4 Ask questions. As you read the textbook, write down the questions you have, and then ask them during the lecture. Don't be afraid to raise your hand. If something is not clear to you, it is possible that other students also have questions about this.
   • If you have not had time to ask any questions during the lecture, try talking to the teacher after class.
5. 5 Make cards. There are many technical terms in biochemistry that you might not have encountered before. Learn the basic terms at the beginning of the course so that you can better understand the more complex ideas and concepts based on them.
   • Make cards with new terms in paper or electronic form. In the latter case, you can record them on your mobile phone.
   • When you have a free minute, take out the cards and look through them.