How TO study for Biochemistry

[vicinihil]

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Currently I'm taking biochemistry and I was wondering if you have any tips on what review/prep books to use for studying biochemistry. We are currently using Lehninger 4e.

Also what strategies if any did you guys use to study for this course? 😕

 

[toxin]

Read , review, memorize important concepts...repeat on weekly basis. You dont need any other books.

 

[Freakingzooming]

yeah- stick with the books given. Make flowcharts. And FLASHCARDS, essential. need to keep lather, rinse, repeat. Get those damn pathways into your head.

 

[CUarzt]

took undergrad biochem and used lehninger 3e

now in grad school, taking grad biochem using...lehninger 4e

this speaks to the quality of the lehninger text
if i were you, id look into the "absolute, ultimate" study guide for lehninger (you may have already purchased this bundled with your 4e text)

i found biochemistry to be a wholly visual learning process--i cant tell you how many plain white sheets of paper ive gone through both undergrad and now grad

don't forget the usefulness of the lehninger website, either

good luck

 

[JustR]

We used the same biochemistry book, and in fact I graduated and I am taking Graduate level course called Molecular Biology, and we use the same Book.

On study strategies,
I agree with the others on some what level.
Study practice, and try to get the concepts down.

 

[lemonlite]

Each day, think about where the electrons are going and about how you would make the end product. (Your body does it the most logical way)
Draw out the pathways. Crumple the paper and throw it across the room. Draw out the pathways. Crumple the paper and throw it across the room.
Stop looking at the book.
Do it again.
Do it again.
Do it again.
Have a snack./ Drink a beer.
Do it again.
go to sleep.

 

[vicinihil]

so how good at orgo do I need to be for biochem?

 

[silas2642]

so how good at orgo do I need to be for biochem?

As long as you understood the basic concepts in orgo you should be fine. Lehninger is an excellent text and I wouldn't think you need any supplemental material. I know this is a novel idea, but if you need any help, why don't you go see your professor?

 

[vicinihil]

As long as you understood the basic concepts in orgo you should be fine. Lehninger is an excellent text and I wouldn't think you need any supplemental material. I know this is a novel idea, but if you need any help, why don't you go see your professor?

I'm not yet in any trouble yet with the material. Since we haven't had an exam I'm just trying to over do it so I don't get caught off guard.

 

[vicinihil]

I'm not yet in any trouble yet with the material. Since we haven't had an exam I'm just trying to over do it so I don't get caught off guard.

If any of you guys use lehninger, are there any good websites with powerpoints on there of the material, lectures, etc. My teacher uses primarily ELMO and lectures instead of powerpoints etc. Just curious 🙂

 

[atrovariousg]

Each day, think about where the electrons are going and about how you would make the end product. (Your body does it the most logical way)
Draw out the pathways. Crumple the paper and throw it across the room. Draw out the pathways. Crumple the paper and throw it across the room.
Stop looking at the book.
Do it again.
Do it again.
Do it again.
Have a snack./ Drink a beer.
Do it again.
go to sleep.

Any particular beer that you recommend?

 

[Medikit]

I used the 3rd edition in undergrad. It's difficult to give you advice on how to study because every professor is a little different. One thing I noticed is that Lehninger is pretty good when it comes to the area of metabolism, but I would say that it is lacking a little bit with nucleic acids. If your class isn't covering nucleic acids I wouldn't worry too much about going to other resources. Focus on understanding concepts and pathways and memorizing where it is necessary. My method for studying biochem was pretty much discussing lecture with my friends during evenings and writing down everything I felt I needed to memorize or ask about on a separate piece of paper. But remember, don't just memorize things, apply what you learn and draw from prevoius chemistry and biology classes when applicable.

For instance when looking at the amino acids you shouldn't have to memorize which have which charge or how polar each is. Just by looking at the structure you should be able to figure those things out. And remember how important pH is in changing the behaviour of amino acids, especially those with pKa's near 7. There's a thread posted last year asking about amino acids where I gave my method of learning their name/structure, you may find that thread helpful. Here is my reply in that thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showpost.php?p=1834848&postcount=21

 

[Truman Stanford]

Any particular beer that you recommend?

Unless I'm seriously mistaken, biochem and orgo require a beer light in nature. Maybe even a light mexican beer with lime. However, physics and calc. go best with a lager of sorts, darker beers.