centered image

centered image

How to Study Biochemistry

Discussion in 'Biochemistry' started by John Jossef, Mar 25, 2011.

  1. John Jossef

    John Jossef Bronze Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2011
    Messages:
    349
    Likes Received:
    46
    Trophy Points:
    745
    Practicing medicine in:
    Bulgaria

    Biochemistry is a notorious course for demanding a high-volume of information in a short amount of time. However, there are studying methods to assist students in learning efficiently and effectively. I have studied and interviewed groups of medical and science students that have mastered their course work. It is true that there are specific and detailed guidelines that these students adhere to and credit for their academic success. The successful student must excel in visualizing relationships, memorizing facts, and reciting complex metabolic reactions of the human body. With some time and applying these strategies and tips from past honor students of Biochemistry, you will greatly improve your academic performance.

    Study Skill #1 - Do NOT procrastinate. The most obvious, and yet least followed advice by students. Biochemistry is a high-volume course that progresses and builds its concepts on the fundamentals. Moreover, many pathways and reactions require memorization and must be acquired over time. The last thing you want to do is cram for this course.

    Study Skill #2 - Know the terminology and nomenclature, it will make things much easier down the road. An enzyme or protein will often have its function built into its name. Take Protein Kinase A for example. As a member of the Kinases, it will almost always add a phosphate group to its substrate. Or, take Alcohol Dehydrogenase, structures that are Dehydrogenases always oxidize a substrate. In this case, it oxidizes alcohols into aldehydes and ketones. Once you get this down, you will begin to recognize names and automatically correlate them with a specific function.

    Study Skill #3 - Start with the big picture. There is no doubt that you will have to memorize multi-step metabolic pathways. The best way to do this is to start with the easy steps and understand the overall flow of the reaction. First, write only the substrates and products in order. Do this repeatedly, until it is memorized. Then add the enzymes. Then continue to add co-factors and by-products. If necessary, label each as an exer- or endergonic reaction. Use the nomenclature to help you remember what is going on in each step. For example, Phosphofructokinase-1 - adds a phosphate group (phospho-kinase) to the molecule fructose (-fructo-) at the first position (-1). By breaking down the pathways and focusing on the terminology it will greatly speed up your ability to memorize them.

    Study Skill #4 - Buy a dry erase board. Use this to memorize the pathways and any other reactions you have to know. There are no short-cuts, but writing things out reinforces them in your memory. It tends to be much more efficient than staring and reciting from your textbook.

    Study Skill #5 - Know the purpose of a reaction. Take the Bohr Effect for example. An increase in [H+] (decrease in pH), CO2, temperature, and 2,3-BPG all occur in active skeletal muscle. They also all encourage O2 release from hemoglobin. This makes sense if you think that working muscle is metabolic tissue and needs oxygen to survive. Incorporating the larger concept will also allow you to predict the flow of reactions in other situations throughout the body.

    Study Skill #6 - Stare at the graphs and plots. These questions are virtually freebies on exams because all the information you need to solve them is included. Know what the x- and y-intercept, the slope, and the area under the graph represent. Know what makes the graphed line move to the right or left. You will absolutely be asked about the Michaelis-Menten graph and the Hemoglobin dissociation curve - these are staples of biochemistry.

    Study Skill #7 - Seek to understand first, and then memorize. Like many other courses, biochemistry can be overwhelming at first. There is no easy way to memorize every amino acid or metabolic reaction. But students always claim that if they take the time to first get the concept down, the memorizing is not as difficult as it once seemed. Stay focused, break it down into small steps, and practice.

    By:Jordan Castle
    Ezinearticles
     

    Add Reply
    Ana Azrul, Islefo, besiana and 5 others like this.

  2. Davis2

    Davis2 Active member

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2012
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    25
    Occupation:
    I.T consultant
    Practicing medicine in:
    United States
    Biochemistry is the the study of biological and chemical substances in the human body.It is the branch of biology and helps to study the biological reactions in the human body.Biochemistry is studied by the pre medical and medical students.
     

    Islefo likes this.
  3. neo_star

    neo_star Moderator

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2012
    Messages:
    775
    Likes Received:
    184
    Trophy Points:
    1,545
    Practicing medicine in:
    India
    Also follow this thread - http://forum.facmedicine.com/biochemistry/11331-board-cracking-questions-biochemistry.html

    I will be posting many tips on cracking the most complex metabolic problems not just in the exams, but also in real life ( in the Neonatal ICU )
    (Y)

    @ Davis2 - If u post just 4 the sake of it ( just 2 increase post count ), it's a waste of ur time and the readers. U have not added anything significant to what the thread starter has posted. I am not a moderator, rather a newbie ( just like u ) and I already feel responsible to post responsibly. In life self-moderation is the best moderation. Posting useless stuff is like littering this place and u wouldn't do it if u would treat this like ur own home.

    Of course the forum gives us anonymity, but that is not a license to behave irresponsibly.

    I hope u take the message in the right spirit
    (-:
     

    Last edited: Nov 9, 2012
    Egyptian Doctor likes this.
  4. Abdel-Rahman Ahmed

    Abdel-Rahman Ahmed Young Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2014
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    20
    Gender:
    Male
    Practicing medicine in:
    Egypt
    Very helpful tips , thanks for your effort :)
     

  5. Bigkout Pinyapat

    Bigkout Pinyapat Young Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2014
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    10
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Had Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
    Practicing medicine in:
    Thailand
    Thank you for great suggestions. ^_^
     

Share This Page

<