Sweet Biochemistry: Remembering Structures, Cycles, and Pathways by Mnemonics

By Asha Kumari

Sweet Biochemistry: Remembering Structures, Cycles, and Pathways by Mnemonics, Second Edition makes biochemistry lively, interesting and memorable by connecting objects, images and stories to biochemistry concepts. Here, Dr. Asha Kumari has converted cycles and difficult pathways into very simple formula and short stories and images to help readers see things in complicated cycles and better visualize biochemistry. As biochemistry is evolving steadily, with new and impactful topics, this new edition has been fully updated to include mnemonics on timely topics in biochemistry such as DNA replication, RNA, transcription, translation, and CRISPR technology, as well as fundamentals of immunity.

• Provides quick, indigenous formula, mnemonics, figures, poems and short stories to absorb key concepts in biochemistry
• Presents original diagrams that are easy to recall
• Features simplified tables for remembering distinguishing features
• Updated to address evolving topics in basic and medical biochemistry, including DNA replication, RNA transcription and translation and immunity fundamentals

• Language: English
• Publisher: Academic Press
• Release date: Jul 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9780443153495

Asha Kumari

Dr. Asha Kumari is a young medical biochemist. Her parent institute is Pt. BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, from where she completed her MBBS and MD in biochemistry in 2014. She is presently working as an assistant professor at the Department of Biochemistry, SHKM GMC, Nalhar, Nuh, Mewat, Haryana, India. She is a member of the Association of Medical Biochemists of India. She is actively involved in medical research and has written papers in international and national journals. Dr. Asha has a deep interest in improving the teaching methods in the medical field.

Book preview

Front Cover for Sweet Biochemistry - Remembering Structures, Cycles and Pathways by Mnemonics - 2nd Edition - by Asha Kumari

Sweet Biochemistry

Remembering Structures, Cycles and Pathways by Mnemonics

Second Edition

Asha Kumari

Department of Biochemistry, Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College, Nuh, Haryana, India

Table of Contents

Cover Image

Title page

Copyright

Dedication

List of figures

List of tables

Preface

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1. Glycolysis

Abstract

Microview

Chapter 2. Citric acid cycle

Abstract

Quick view of pathway

Chapter 3. Electron transport chain

Abstract

Microview

The story of electron transport chain

What relates to electron transport chain in the story?

Chapter 4. Beta oxidation of fatty acids

Abstract

Importance of beta oxidation of fatty acids

Chapter 5. Fatty acid biosynthesis

Abstract

Traditional recap

Relation of beta oxidation and synthesis of fatty acids synthesis

Chapter 6. Cholesterol structure

Abstract

Role of cholesterol

Chapter 7. Cholesterol synthesis

Abstract

Traditional recap

First enzyme thiolase

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase

Story of queen bee’s honeycomb house

Chapter 8. Haem synthesis

Abstract

Rate-limiting step of haem synthesis: aminolevulinic acid formation

Regulation of aminolevulinic acid synthase

Chapter 9. Porphyrias

Abstract

Traditional recap

Neuropsychiatric features

Chapter 10. Urea cycle

Abstract

Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1: an unique enzyme

Are there other modulators also for carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1?

Chapter 11. Urea cycle disorders

Abstract

Why ammonia is so toxic to brain?

Chapter 12. Glycogen storage disorders

Abstract

Glycogen storage diseases

Mechanisms for features of glycogen storage disorders

Story mnemonic of glycogen storage disorders

Chapter 13. Mucopolysaccharidoses

Abstract

Hurler disease

Scheie syndrome: Mucopolysaccharidoses I

Hunter syndrome: Mucopolysaccharidoses II

Sanfilippo syndrome: Mucopolysaccharidoses III

Morquio syndrome: Mucopolysaccharidoses IV

Maroteaux–Lamy syndrome: Mucopolysaccharidoses VI

Sly syndrome: Mucopolysaccharidoses VII

Chapter 14. Lipid storage disorders/sphingolipidoses

Abstract

Tay-Sach’s disease and Sandoff’s disease

Gaucher disease

Niemann–Pick disease

Farber’s disease

Fabry’s disease

Metachromatic leukodystrophy

Chapter 15. Ceramide structure and derivatives

Abstract

What are ceramides doing in our body

Chapter 16. Prostaglandin synthesis

Abstract

Biological actions of prostaglandins

Cyclooxygenase is the controller of rate-limiting step

Chapter 17. Purine structure

Abstract

Chemical structure

Examples of Interesting purines

Chapter 18. Purine synthesis de novo

Abstract

A brief view of reactions

Amido phosphoribosyl transferase (Atase) – rate-limiting enzyme with a unique ammonia channel

Interesting regulation of purines

Chapter 19. Pyrimidine structure-2

Abstract

Uracil

Thymine

Cytosine

Chapter 20. Pyrimidine de novo synthesis

Abstract

Chapter 21. DNA structure and DNA replication

Abstract

Alternative DNA structures

Brief summary of steps of DNA replication

Chapter 22. Differences in eukaryotic and prokaryotic replication

Abstract

Chapter 23. Transcription

Abstract

Steps of transcription

Chapter 24. Translation

Abstract

Chapter 25. Inhibitors of translation

Abstract

Antibiotics and the mechanism of action

Toxins that disturb protein synthesis

Chapter 26. Operon

Abstract

The lac Operon

Chapter 27. Various types of RNA

Abstract

Messenger RNA

Small-nuclear RNA

MicroRNA

Small-interfering RNA

Ribozyme

Chapter 28. Antibody

Abstract

Chapter 29. Class switching

Abstract

When is class switching required?

Mechanism of class switching

Chapter 30. Antigen

Abstract

Hapten

Superantigens

Neoantigens

Autoantigen

Adjuvants

Chapter 31. Major histocompatibility complex

Abstract

The categorisation of human leucocyte antigen forms three classes I, II and III

Chapter 32. Vaccines

Abstract

Whole pathogen vaccines

Subunit vaccine

Nucleic acid vaccines

Viral-vectored vaccines

Exercises

Furtherreading

Index

Copyright

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This book and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by the Publisher (other than as may be noted herein).

Notices

Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment may become necessary.

Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.

To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the authors, contributors, or editors, assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein.

ISBN: 978-0-443-15348-8

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Dedication

Dedicated to Lord Hanuman:

Budhdhiheen tanu janike,

Sumiron pawan kumar,

Bal budhdhi vidya dehun mohi,

Harhu kalesh vikar

List of figures

List of tables

Preface

Asha Kumari

Science is an ever-expanding passion of brilliant minds. For healing a patient, enormous amount of information has to be remembered by the physician. We memorise many things by reading books, publications, writing notes and answers, meeting and treating patients. At times, it becomes very difficult to recall the important signs and symptoms of myriad diseases as the names and features of syndromes are increasing exponentially due to the rapid advancement of technology. Therefore it is crucial to learn the diseases and mechanisms with something unique.

In the first edition of Sweet Biochemistry, I had presented new mnemonics, poems, stories and tricks to remember the difficult biochemistry topics along with brief traditional text recap. Students and teachers were amazed to see funny and unique representation of intricate pathways, structures and diseases. In the second edition, I have added the core concept of each chapter to supplement the fun component. The readers can therefore enjoy the stories, poems and mnemonics along with having a deeper understanding of topic. The addition of molecular biology topics such as DNA structure, replication, transcription, translation and immunology topics including antigen, antibody, class switching and vaccines will extend the learning experience.

One may wonder why a syndrome is depicted as a person. The mnemonics are not intended to make fun of anyone. These are just an attempt to make a way to remember what is most important for patient care. The treatment given by a doctor matters the most and not the trick of remembering. I hope the students, teachers and physicians will appreciate my sincere efforts to present each concept in a unique way. If we make similar mnemonics, we often confuse the derivations. Hence, the reading of text with full attention and then