Biochemical reaction

Biochemical Reaction

A Biochemical Reaction (pronunciation: /ˌbaɪoʊˈkɛmɪkəl riˈækʃən/) is a chemical reaction that occurs within a living organism. These reactions are fundamental to all life processes, including growth, reproduction, and maintenance of cellular structures.

Etymology

The term "Biochemical Reaction" is derived from the Greek words "bios" meaning life, "chemia" meaning chemistry, and "reactio" meaning a response. Thus, it refers to the chemical responses that sustain life.

Types of Biochemical Reactions

There are several types of biochemical reactions, including:

• Metabolic Reactions: These are the chemical reactions that occur within cells to maintain life. They can be further divided into catabolic reactions (which break down large molecules into smaller ones) and anabolic reactions (which build up large molecules from smaller ones).

• Enzyme-Catalyzed Reactions: These are reactions that are sped up by enzymes, which are proteins that act as catalysts.

• Redox Reactions: These are reactions that involve the transfer of electrons from one molecule to another.

• Photosynthesis: This is a biochemical reaction that converts light energy into chemical energy in plants.

• Cellular Respiration: This is a set of metabolic reactions that take place in the cells of organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and then release waste products.

Related Terms

• Chemical Reaction: A process that leads to the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another.

• Biochemistry: The branch of science concerned with the chemical and physicochemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms.

• Catalyst: A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.

• Enzyme: A substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.

• Metabolism: The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.

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