HISTORY OF BIOCHEMISTRY
Biochemistry is very broad and to do with the study of chemical compositions of the
living matter and biochemical processes that govern life growth and maintenance.
The word biochemistry is derived from bio- meaning life. The word is first recorded
in English in 1848 however German chemist Carl Neuberg coined the term for the
new discipline in 1903.
Biochemistry as a specific discipline has its beginning around the early 19 th century
but its history can be said to have began with the ancient Greeks who were
interested in the composition and process of life. Some argued that the beginning of
biochemistry may have been the discovery of the first enzyme diastase, in 1833 by
Anselme Payen, while others considered Eduard Buchner’s first demonstration of a
complex biochemical process alcohol fermentation to be the birth of biochemistry.
In 1665 Robert Hooke invented microscope. He was the first to closely examine
a cell.
In 1674 Anton Van witnessed a plant cell under microscope.
In 1777-1783 hypothetical principle of fire wherein all the combustible material
was partly composed dominated the chemistry world and marked the onset of
physiological chemistry.
In 1836 Theodore Schwann proposed that the process of fermentation is solely
limited to living yeast cells which Liebig did not agree with.
Louis Pasteur opposed Liebig’s chemical theory in 1856.
Friedrich Miescher first identified “nuclein” of human WBC in 1869.
Eduard Buchner introduced the concept of “enzyme” by fermenting glucose in
the 1900s.
In 1919 a Russian physician, Phoebus Levene discovered the order of the three
major components of a single nucleotide.
Hans Kreb discovered the process of citric acid cycle in 1937.
Oswald Avery suggested in 1944 that the genetic material of the cell was
deoxyribonucleic acid.
In 1950 Erwin Chargaff challenged Levene’s previous conclusion. He postulated
the Chargaffs Rule.
The first and complete protein structure was discovered by Frederick Sanger in
1958.
In 1961 DNA bases that encode for particular genetic code was discovered.
Fred Sanger successfully sequenced the genome of a bacteriophage in 1977.
Biochemistry has succeeded in explaining life processes and shows more
promises-in the world of science and development.
Biochemistry is very broad and to do with the study of chemical compositions of the
living matter and biochemical processes that govern life growth and maintenance.
The word biochemistry is derived from bio- meaning life. The word is first recorded
in English in 1848 however German chemist Carl Neuberg coined the term for the
new discipline in 1903.
Biochemistry as a specific discipline has its beginning around the early 19 th century
but its history can be said to have began with the ancient Greeks who were
interested in the composition and process of life. Some argued that the beginning of
biochemistry may have been the discovery of the first enzyme diastase, in 1833 by
Anselme Payen, while others considered Eduard Buchner’s first demonstration of a
complex biochemical process alcohol fermentation to be the birth of biochemistry.
In 1665 Robert Hooke invented microscope. He was the first to closely examine
a cell.
In 1674 Anton Van witnessed a plant cell under microscope.
In 1777-1783 hypothetical principle of fire wherein all the combustible material
was partly composed dominated the chemistry world and marked the onset of
physiological chemistry.
In 1836 Theodore Schwann proposed that the process of fermentation is solely
limited to living yeast cells which Liebig did not agree with.
Louis Pasteur opposed Liebig’s chemical theory in 1856.
Friedrich Miescher first identified “nuclein” of human WBC in 1869.
Eduard Buchner introduced the concept of “enzyme” by fermenting glucose in
the 1900s.
In 1919 a Russian physician, Phoebus Levene discovered the order of the three
major components of a single nucleotide.
Hans Kreb discovered the process of citric acid cycle in 1937.
Oswald Avery suggested in 1944 that the genetic material of the cell was
deoxyribonucleic acid.
In 1950 Erwin Chargaff challenged Levene’s previous conclusion. He postulated
the Chargaffs Rule.
The first and complete protein structure was discovered by Frederick Sanger in
1958.
In 1961 DNA bases that encode for particular genetic code was discovered.
Fred Sanger successfully sequenced the genome of a bacteriophage in 1977.
Biochemistry has succeeded in explaining life processes and shows more
promises-in the world of science and development.
