The main objectives of teaching biochemistry to undergraduate students are to help them comprehend the molecular foundation of life processes and to guide them toward using their newly learned knowledge to solve clinical issues. Biochemistry is among the pre-clinical subjects included in the first year of the MBBS curriculum. The subject is important in medical sciences as it provides a foundation for understanding the cellular and molecular basis of various physiological processes and disease mechanisms. The study of Biochemistry helps us understand cellular and molecular processes, the basis for molecular biology and genetics, enzyme and their metabolic pathway, drug development, and pharmacology, clinical diagnostics, Immunology and vaccine development, personalized medicine, nutritional sciences, and understanding the latest advancements.

It lays a groundwork for other medical disciplines and is integral to understanding the basis of health and diseases. Biochemistry subject holds great significance as it is a central science that connects various disciplines, providing valuable insights into molecular and chemical processes. It provides valuable insights into the molecular and chemical processes that govern life, making it an indispensable subject in modern scientific research ad application.

MBBS Prof Exam Pattern

From the 2019 batch onwards, the Biochemistry prof exam comprises two theory papers of 100 marks each and a practical examination of 100 marks. The theory exam consists of short answer questions, long answer questions, and application and case-based questions. The practical examination includes practical/clinical and viva.

Recommended books for Biochemistry include U. Satyanarayana & U. Chakrapani’s Biochemistry, Self-Assessment and Review of Biochemistry, Lippincott Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry, and Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry.

Subject Weightage in NEET-PG and INI-CET

The Biochemistry subject in NEET-PG carries a weightage of about 10-15 questions whereas the INI-CET exam carries a weightage of around 10 questions. The ideal way of preparing for the NEET-PG and other competitive examinations is to plan a preparation strategy that balances between low and high-weightage modules and subjects.

Important and High-yielding Topics of Biochemistry for MBBS Prof Exams, NEET-PG, and INI-CET Entrance Examination

Enzyme

Classification

Enzymes

Effect of pH on enzyme

Markers enzymes and their significance

Allosteric enzymes

Isoenzymes

Ubiquitin proteasome pathway

Chemistry and Metabolism of Carbohydrates

Gluconeogenesis

Isomerism in carbohydrates

Glycogen and Glycogen Storage Diseases

RL Shunt

ETC Uncouplers

Oral glucose tolerance test

Chemistry and Metabolism of Lipids

Cholesterol

Mechanism of action of steroid hormone

Lipoproteins

Sphingolipids and Diseases

Beta oxidation of fatty acids

Biosynthesis of adrenal corticosteroids

Chemistry and Metabolism of Proteins

Protein structure

Oxygen saturation curve of Hb

Protein biosynthesis and inhibitors in Prokaryotes

Metabolism of Tyrosine & Tryptophan

Amino acid classification

Purine synthesis inhibitors

Urea cycle

Metabolism and Homeostasis

Biochemical significance of Vit. K

Acute intermittent porphyria

Lesch Nyhan syndrome

Jaundice

Molecular Biology

Recombinant DNA Technology

DNA fingerprinting

Genetic Code

DNA: Structure & Replication

DNA Damage & Repair Mechanism

Transcription and Translation

PCR types and applications

Gene regulation

Lac operon model

Types of RNA

Epigenetics & Genomic Imprinting

Marfan’s syndrome

Sickle cell anemia

Nutrition

Protein-energy malnutrition

Extracellular Matrix

Protein Targeting

Oncogenesis and Immunity

Tumor marker

Methotrexate drug

Oncogenes and protooncogenes

Onco-suppressor genes

Use of stem cells in medicine

Function Tests

Liver function tests

Kidney function tests

Thyroid function tests

Biochemical Laboratory Tests

Protein electrophoresis

ELISA

Southern blotting technique

Miscellaneous Topics

Aspirin

Diabetes Mellitus

Alkaptonuria

Cytochrome p450

Ketone bodies

Chemiosmotic theory of ATP generation

Ammonia Toxicity

Homocysteinemia

Immunoglobulins

Cell cycle regulation

Hybridoma technology

Fuel for body in fed, fasting & starvation

Types of vaccines

Type IV sensitivity

Glycemic index

Iron absorption and regulation

Hypersensitivity and types

Molecular basis of antibody diversity

Cell-mediated immune response

Hormone action

Biochemical basis of HIV

BMI

Other Important Topics of Biochemistry for MBBS Prof Exams

Briefly Discuss:

• Role of glutathione in xenobiotics metabolism
• Role of myoglobin in the body
• Role of creatine in muscle
• Phase 1 and Phase 2 reactions in Biotransformation
• Inborn errors of aromatic acid metabolism
• Diabetes and early cataract
• Cholesterol biosynthesis and regulation
• Role of vitamin D in calcium homeostasis
• Transamination and oxidative deamination
• Carboxylation and oxidative decarboxylation
• Biochemical changes during starvation
• Significance of pentose phosphate pathway
• Role of selenium in the human system
• Mechanism of action of peptide hormone
• Purine catabolism and disease in the pathway
• Role of vitamin D in calcium homeostasis
• Role of clearance test in the diagnosis
• Function of MHC protein 1 and 2 and role in organ transplant
• Competitive and Non-competitive enzyme inhibition

Diagram/Flowcharts

• DNA Structure
• Protein Structure
• Haemoglobin and O₂ dissociation curve
• Collagen structure
• Fluid mosaic model
• PCR flowchart and applications
• Structure of immunoglobin

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q1. What are the important topics of Biochemistry in MBBS?

Ans. The important topics for Biochemistry include DNA Structure, Gene regulation, Lac operon model, Types of RNA, Gluconeogenesis, Isomerism in carbohydrates, Lesch Nyhan syndrome, Glycogen and Glycogen Storage Diseases, Immunoglobins, Lipoproteins, Sphingolipids and Diseases, Protein-energy malnutrition, Protein Targeting, Collagen structure, Beta oxidation of fatty acids, Markers enzymes and their significance, Allosteric enzymes, Onco-suppressor genes, Liver function tests, Kidney function tests, Amino acid classification

Purine synthesis inhibitors, Thyroid function tests, and more.

Q2. Is Biochemistry subject important subject for NEET-PG?

Ans. Yes, every MBBS subject holds its significance in the NEET-PG exam. The Biochemistry subject in NEET-PG carries a weightage of about 10-15 questions.

Q3. Which are the recommended books of Biochemistry for MBBS students?

Ans. The recommended books for Biochemistry include U. Satyanarayana & U. Chakrapani’s Biochemistry, Self-Assessment and Review of Biochemistry, Lippincott Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry, and Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry.

Q4. What are the core topics of Biochemistry in MBBS?

Ans. The core topics of Biochemistry includes Enzymes, Function tests, Chemistry and Metabolism of Carbohydrates, Lipids, & Proteins, Nucleotides and Nucleosides, Biochemical Pathway, Molecular Biology, Oncology, Immunity, Nutrition, and Metabolism.

Q5. Is Biochemistry hard in MBBS?

Ans. Biochemistry is pretty fascinating to read and understand whereas quite a hard subject to learn and memorize however, not all the modules and topics are difficult. The subject if studied in an interdisciplinary and step-by-step manner will make the concepts easy to understand and memorize.

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