by Zoha Malik and Bukhtawar Azhar
BIOCHEMISTRY
Biochemistry is a minor subject for BDS students but
the one we tend to underestimate the most. You will hear a lot of ‘’Biochem
HALWA hai. Yeh toh YUN khatam ho gi.’’
Well, no.
It is not a dessert and it is definitely not
something you can finish in a night. Truth is, Biochemistry is a mound of
rote-learning and concentration. And it sucks.
About The Biochemistry
Department:
Accept that in this college, for the most part, you
are on your own so take this department with a grain of salt.
Head
of Department/Internal for Prof: Dr. Shakeel
Other
Teaching Faculty:
- Dr. Ismat
- Dr. Samina
- Dr. Tehmina
- Dr. Nilofer
Introduction to the
Subject:
The bulk of your studying time will be taken up by
topics of metabolism. Every single step of any sort of metabolism should be at
the tip of your tongue. What enzymes catalyze a reaction, what are the products
of a reaction, where is the reaction taking part in your body; all these things
are absolutely necessary to know.
Next, we have topics of smaller range but with
equally ginormous importance. Take enzymes for instance. I cannot stress how
important enzymes are for your prof. In fact, most examiners just begin their
vivas from enzymes. You must also thoroughly go through vitamins,
carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, lipids and major diseases.
Books:
Faiq:
Oh
Faiq! The truest embodiment of the saying ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ A
hilariously short and deceptive book that will lead you into thinking that a
study of biochemistry can be done in one night. IT LIES. However, if you read
and learn every word of it you will be able to answer 90% of the questions
asked in our papers.
Mushtaq:
The
sight of this book just makes me want to go to sleep. Thing is, Mushtaq
contains unnecessary amounts of detail and the pages upon pages of text do
nothing to help its case either. While Mushtaq is an excellent book for MBBS
students, it’s really not a suitable one for our syllabus.
Lipincott:
Hands
down, my favourite book for biochemistry. It’s beautifully illustrated and
contains just the right amount of detail. Note down the following topics which
I recommend reading from Lipincott:
- Enzymes
- Metabolism
of Carbohydrates
- Metabolism
of Proteins
- Vitamins
- Diabetes
Preparing For the
Exams:
You wouldn’t have to study for Biochemistry all year
long a la Anatomy. Study hard and study well for the send-up. Study those
topics first which are known to be questioned in the exams. Leave minor topics
like nutrition, liver, GIT and solutions for the end.
Viva:
Sir
Shakeel is the internal for our college and your viva entirely depends upon his
mood. Some of his favourite topics are enzymes, vitamins and carbohydrate
metabolism. With Sir Shakeel the viva is in your hands. Once your viva begins,
your questions depend on the answers you’re giving. Give unnecessarily long answers
and you will be asked the details of details until you’re eventually stumped.
Written:
If
you studied well for the send-up a span of two to three days should be enough
for preparing for the biochemistry exam. Don’t go into minor details. Revise
the major topics. Attempt all past papers and you’re golden.
As I sometimes say, in RPG-esque terms biochemistry
is just another mini-boss.