Biochemistry is frequently considered to be one of the most difficult courses in the
undergraduate curriculum. But it is concept rich and progressively builds upon
acquired learning.
The key thing is to study, and to keep up with the lectures.
Practice drawing biomolecular structures of the reactions in biochemical metabolic
pathways.
For example it is simple to remember the back bone structure of an amino acid
which is R-NH 2 (COOH) where R can be substituted for the relevant side chain
group.
Simply seeing the structure in a text or writing it once in your notes is insufficient.
You should be able to write structures on the placemat while you are waiting for
your coffee at caffeteria---and if you can't do it there, you probably won't be able to
do it in the exam room. But you must practice the correct structures so try them
again when you can check them with the text.
You can view the 3D structures of the Biomolecules using the following link:
http://www.umass.edu/microbio/rasmol/ you may probably need to download the
software Rasmol and install it on your computer as per the instructions given. This
gives a good perception about the size of the macromolecules and how they look
like. It feeds your imagination about the Biomolecules. other softwares include
protein explorer, Swisspdb viewer, Jmol,VMD. YOu can draw structures of
Biomolecules using marwin sketch.
Viewing the molecules gives a better perception about the reactions.
Minimize the amount of material that you try to memorize. ( though you have to
memorize the basic structures and the names of the Biomolecules).
Work to understand the general concepts, like mechanism of enzyme action,
properties of proteins (to mention). Usually you can answer a specific question if
you know the general concepts.
Biochemical reactions of the metabolic pathways are best appreciated only when
you know the site at which the reaction takes place. For example bilirubin (a toxic
compound) is a catabolic product of hemoglobin, is formed in the spleen. It is then
subsequently transported to liver when it is detoxified and secreted through the bile
duct in the duodenum where the emulsification of fats takes place.
(You may be able to appreciate the fact that why steatorrhea (a clinical sign of
appearance of fat in faeces) occurs when there is a stone (obstruction) in the bile
duct).
Useful links: http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/biochemistry.html
http://www.bio.mtu.edu/campbell/401lec12hp.html
http://www.bio.mtu.edu/campbell/401lec13hp.html
http://www.umass.edu/microbio/rasmol/
http://biochemistryonline.googlepages.com
