Basics of Biochemistry Notes
Subject Overview
Basics of Biochemistry is the foundational laboratory-skills paper for the program's biochemistry stream, covering the role and ethics of the medical lab technologist, cleaning and care of glassware, distilled water preparation, and the units of measurement and volumetric technique used throughout clinical biochemistry — normality, molarity, molality, calibration of volumetric apparatus, the analytical balance, and the concept and measurement of pH. A 4-credit core theory paper.
Subject at a glance
4
Units
29
Topics
4
Credits
4
Infographics
Unit-wise Syllabus
4 units — open any unit for detailed topic-wise notes, diagrams and important exam questions
- Role of the medical lab technologist
- ethics and responsibility
- safety measures and first aid
- cleaning and care of glassware and equipment (soda lime and borosil glass)
- preparation of chromic acid solution
Personal protection
Lab coat, gloves, goggles
Never pipette by mouth
Use pipette fillers
Chemical handling
Label and store correctly
First aid
Eye wash, spill kit
Waste disposal
Segregate by colour code
Study guide
This unit introduces the role of the medical lab technologist, ethics and responsibility, safety measures and first aid, cleaning and care of glassware and equipment and preparation of cleaning solution. Professional ethics, such as patient confidentiality and accuracy, are as important as technical skill.
- Distilled water preparation and types of water distillation plants
- storage of distilled water
- S.I. and CGS units
- conversion
- strength
- molecular weight
- equivalent weight
- normality
- molarity
- molality
Molarity (M)
Moles of solute / litres of solution
Normality (N)
Gram equivalents / litres of solution
Molality (m)
Moles of solute / kg of solvent
Equivalent weight
Molecular weight / n-factor
Dilution
C1 V1 = C2 V2
Study guide
You study water in the laboratory (distilled water preparation, distillation plants, storage) and units of measurement: SI and CGS units, conversions, strength, molecular and equivalent weight, normality, molarity and molality. Practise concentration calculations, as they are used daily in the lab.
- Calibration of flasks
- pipettes
- burettes and cylinders
- the analytical balance — principle
- working
- maintenance
- concept of pH
- Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
- pKa
- pH paper and pH meter (principle, working, maintenance, calibration)
pH
−log [H⁺]
Henderson-Hasselbalch
pH = pKa + log ([A⁻] / [HA])
pKa
pH at which acid is half dissociated
Normal blood pH
7.35 to 7.45
Study guide
You study calibration of flasks, pipettes, burettes and cylinders, the analytical balance, the concept of pH, the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, pKa and pH paper and pH meters with their working, maintenance and calibration. Learn to calibrate and read a pH meter correctly.
- Normal and molar solutions
- standard solutions
- preparation of reagents
- storage of chemicals
- 1
Calculate the mass needed
- 2
Weigh accurately
Analytical balance
- 3
Dissolve in a little distilled water
- 4
Transfer to a volumetric flask
- 5
Make up to the mark
- 6
Mix, label and store
Study guide
You study normal, molar and standard solutions, preparation of reagents and storage of chemicals. Practise preparing solutions of a given normality and molarity step by step.
Why Basics of Biochemistry Matters
Accurate solution preparation, measurement and instrument handling are the foundation of every biochemical test. Mistakes in basic technique spoil results, so these skills matter for every later lab paper.
How to Prepare for Basics of Biochemistry
- Practise normality and molarity calculations until you can do them quickly.
- Learn the care, calibration and maintenance routine of each instrument.
- Follow safety rules in the lab at all times.
Basics of Biochemistry: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between molarity and normality?
Molarity is moles of solute per litre of solution, while normality is gram equivalents of solute per litre.
What is pH?
pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is, defined by the concentration of hydrogen ions.