csir net life science coaching biochemistry

A. Arya (Madurai Kamraj University)
Biochemistry

HOW TO PREPARE BIOCHEMISTRY FOR CSIR-NET

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Dear Students, 

Biochemistry may appear as new name for many students with background of basic biology at graduate and postgraduate level, but the content was persistently tought in the botany or zoology. For many students who encountered the details of biochemistry for the first time, it is good to begin with slower pace and avoid any confusion on certain concepts.

Initial topics on biochemistry focus on most of the essential chemistry that may be tedious and boring but ignoring the topics may reduce the problem solving skills. Many questions in biochemistry, especially in the B part are direct and based on concept of pH, involve molarity, thermodynamics and bioenergetics.  Although here at grassroots academy we have special lectures and discussions on these topics with real life examples, referring some basic school level books may be very useful for practice.

Another question that intrigue students is - which book should I read for preparing biochemistry? So I would suggest it is best to read a book which you have already read in your PG. Lehninger biochemistry by nelson and cox is undoubtedly the best book for beginners. Harpers biochemistry may be referred for concept of pH, thermodynamics and bioenergetics; also it illustrates regulation of metabolic pathways.

Part C of CSIR is based on the analytical question and need detailed knowledge of the topic. Try practicing questions given at the end of each chapter in Lehninger.  There are more than 15 standard text books for biochemistry (Devlin Biochemistry for clinical aspects, Stryer with more focus on numerical, JL Jain and Satyanarayan biochemistry by Indian authors and so on…) but my suggestion is that do not rush for many books simultaneously it will cause wastage of your time, Better if you have doubts consult with your faculty at the institute. 

Always follow up and discuss the questions from previous year exams, most often these are also discussed on this blog.  Another, important key to recall the concepts is, writing them down by yourself once you complete a topic.  Try keeping a record of your readings in the form of charts and tables. 

Most of the students are worried about the metabolic pathways, but the usual trends in NET exam states the lesser focus on many of the metabolic pathways , rather energetic of glycolysis, kreb’s cycle, beta oxidation and photosynthesis should not be avoided.

Last important thing is about obtaining information from internet; I have an experience of witnessing known facts and information on internet, so please be very careful when you are directly reading any topic from internet. Look for the authenticity, author of the webpage and its source.

Hope this information would help you to frame you study plan. I will be back to discuss some more. 

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