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BIOCHEMISTRY Biochemistry is the study of chemical REACTIONS that occur in living things. We're not going to worry about chemical reactions in rocks. We're only going to cover things that happen in the living things on Earth. Even though there are billions of chemical reactions that go on, there are some basics that work for everyone (plants, animals, bacteria, and even viruses). They use similar types of molecules. Those molecules act in certain ways because of the rules of Chemistry. We're going to talk a little about the basic molecules that you will find everywhere in Biology. We can start with the elements. CHEMISTRY OF REACTIONS There are chemical reactions going on all the time in Biology. Whenever any molecules move, are absorbed, or broken down, it is because of a chemical or molecular interaction. These reactions are always happening inside your body (and in your dog's body, and in the plants you see, and in the soil on the ground). All of these reactions occur because atoms are being exchanged, replaced and twisted into new positions. Cells use these reactions to create a world where they can survive. The purpose is so the cell can survive. |