biochemistry for dummies (wiley, 2008)

[...]... intro.qxp 3/27/08 12:31 AM Page 1 Introduction W elcome to Biochemistry For Dummies! We are certainly happy you have decided to delve into the fascinating world of biochemistry Biochemistry is a complex area of chemistry, but understanding biochemistry isn’t really complex It takes hard work, attention to detail, and the desire to know and to imagine Biochemistry, like any area of chemistry, is not a spectator... We also include information on some of the applications of biochemistry that you read about in your everyday life, such as forensics, cloning, gene therapy, genetic testing, genetically modified foods, and so on 03_194287 intro.qxp 2 3/27/08 12:31 AM Page 2 Biochemistry For Dummies As you flip through this book you will see a lot of chemical structures and reactions Much of the biochemistry revolves... biochemistry textbook Icons Used in This Book If you have ever read other For Dummies books (such as the wonderful Chemistry For Dummies) you will recognize the icons used in this book, but here are their meanings anyway: This icon is a flag for those really important things that you shouldn’t forget as you go deeper into the world of biochemistry We use this icon to alert you to a tip on the easiest or... then? Biochemistry is often where ways of restoring the organism to health are found About This Book Biochemistry For Dummies is an overview of the material covered in a typical college-level biochemistry course We have made every attempt to keep the material as current as possible, but the field is changing ever so quickly The basics, however, stay the same, and that is where we concentrate our efforts... assumptions — that you are one of the following: ߜ A student taking a college-level biochemistry course ߜ A student reviewing your biochemistry for some type of standardized exam (the MCAT, for example) ߜ An individual who just wants to know something about biochemistry ߜ A person who has been watching way too many forensic TV shows If you fall into a different category, we hope you enjoy this book... the Table of Contents to map out your strategy of study 3 03_194287 intro.qxp 4 3/27/08 12:31 AM Page 4 Biochemistry For Dummies Part I: Setting the Stage: Basic Biochemistry Concepts This part deals with basic aspects of chemistry and biochemistry In the first chapter you find out about the field of biochemistry and its relationship to other fields within chemistry and biology You also get a lot of info... biochemistry 5 03_194287 intro.qxp 6 3/27/08 12:31 AM Page 6 Biochemistry For Dummies 04_194287 pp01.qxp 3/27/08 12:31 AM Page 7 Part I Setting the Stage: Basic Biochemistry Concepts 04_194287 pp01.qxp 3/27/08 12:31 AM W Page 8 In this part e go over some basic aspects of chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry First we survey the field of biochemistry and its relationship to other disciplines... be used in a biochemistry course We have made extensive use of structures and reactions While reading, try to follow along in the associated figures, whether they be structures or reactions The icons point out things to which you should pay particular attention, for various reasons If you are taking a biochemistry course, use this rather inexpensive book to supplement that very expensive biochemistry. .. Elongation and termination .314 Part VI: The Part of Tens 315 Chapter 18: Ten Great Applications of Biochemistry 317 Ames Test 317 Pregnancy Testing 317 HIV Testing 318 xv 02_194287 ftoc.qxp xvi 3/27/08 12:30 AM Page xvi Biochemistry For Dummies Breast Cancer Testing 318 Prenatal Genetic Testing .318 PKU Screening 318... the Stage: Basic Biochemistry Concepts 4 Part II: The Meat of Biochemistry: Proteins 4 Part III: Carbohydrates, Lipids, Nucleic Acids, and More 4 Part IV: Bioenergetics and Pathways 4 Part V: Genetics: Why We Are What We Are .5 Part VI: The Part of Tens .5 Where to Go from Here 5 Part I: Setting the Stage: Basic Biochemistry Concepts 7 Chapter 1: Biochemistry: What . Wiley, the Wiley Publishing logo, For Dummies, the Dummies Man logo, A Reference for the Rest of Us!, The Dummies Way, Dummies Daily, The Fun and Easy Way, Dummies. com and related trade dress. Langley,PhD Biochemistry FOR DUMmIES ‰ 01_194287 ffirs.qxp 3/27/08 12:30 AM Page i 01_194287 ffirs.qxp 3/27/08 12:30 AM Page iv by John T. Moore, EdD and Richard Langley,PhD Biochemistry FOR DUMmIES ‰ 01_194287. Sales 323 Biostatistician 324 Index 325 Biochemistry For Dummies xvi 02_194287 ftoc.qxp 3/27/08 12:30 AM Page xvi Introduction W elcome to Biochemistry For Dummies! We are certainly happy you have