What knowledge have you connected with past knowledge?

                So far, the class had made many connections to prior knowledge.  It was interesting to see and further expand on the topic of biochemical molecules like proteins.  In previous courses like biology and chemistry, discussions of molecules were limited to their respective aspect.  But in biochemistry, these discussions were integrated from all of their different aspects. 

                Protein is an interesting topic in biochemistry and it was amazing to see the actual structure of protein molecules that are important for life.  The protein database was exceptional in providing the public with intricate information of these protein molecules.  Hemoglobin and myoglobin are important molecules and was discuss extensively in biology and anatomy/physiology and their discussion in class provided me with further connection to its form, functions, and complications.

                There were many other connections made like acids/bases, buffering, Henderson-Hasselbach equations, enzymes etc.  These many topics were discussed in previous courses but biochemistry connected them to the process of life.

Protein from PDB explorer

Find a protein using PDB explorer–describe your protein, including what disease state or other real-world application it has. Protein: hiv-1 protease PDB ID: 7HVP HIV-1 protease is an important enzyme for the life cycle of HIV.  Its function is to cut long chain of proteins into its proper length for the maturation process of the virus. This is a critical process and when completed the matured virus can invade and infect other cells. The primary structure of the HIV-1 protease is a double chain peptide.  Each chain A and B is 99 amino acids in length and the secondary structure contains 1 helix and 10 beta sheets. The discovery HIV-1 protease and its function was important for the fight against these immunodeficiency viruses.  Drugs can be made to target HIV-1 protease to stop or inhibit the enzyme's function.  By preventing their actions, the maturation of the virus can be stopped and thereby preventing the infections other cells.

What is Biochemistry? How does it differ from other sciences like chemistry, biology, molecular biology, and genetics?

                Biochemistry is a branch of science that studies the chemistry of living organisms.  Its main focus is on the chemical reaction, structure, and pathways of bio-molecules in plants, animals, and microorganisms.  These bio-molecules include lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and amino acids.  The study of biochemistry integrates many aspects of other discipline (like biology, physics, chemistry and organic chemistry) to interpret essential chemical functions within living organism. 

                Biochemistry differs from many other sciences.   In comparison with chemistry and biology, biochemistry is more specific than either of the two and it focuses more on the biological reactions within living organisms.  Chemistry and biology provides a broad range of knowledge that serves as a basis for specialized disciplines like biochemistry. 

                Biochemistry also differs from more specialized studies like genetics and molecular biology.  In genetics, the primary focus is in on the science of genes, gene expression, heredity, and variation among organism.  Genetics essentially examines the results of the chemical reaction of life and not the reaction itself.  In molecular biology, the main focus is on the interaction between cells, organelles, and system in living organisms.  Their studies are centered around the transcription and translation of DNA and RNA where as biochemistry tend to focus more on molecular composition, structure, and functions of these molecules.

                Biochemistry can differ from these sciences but all similar in the fact that they all look to obtain knowledge from the study of life.  These studies are essential in helping with the fight against diseases to improve the quality of life itself.  Many of these different disciplines complement one other and are essential for the advancement of knowledge in science.