Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry | Similarities & Differences

Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry are both separate branches of chemistry.

They are so divided because of basic differences and understanding involved.

Organic chemistry deals with organic compounds while the biochemistry deals with the chemistry inside the living beings.

So organic chemistry is more or less related to chemistry while biochemistry is related to biology.

But when we see the chemical substances involved in both of these subjects, it seems both of them are similar and not different.

Hence we will try to understand the similarities and differences in between both of these subjects.

Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry

Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry similarities

The chemical in both of these branches appear to have similar elements in their molecular structure. Also, the molecules show stereochemistry based effects. See more similarities in the table below.

Similarities Organic chemistry Biochemistry
Molecules studied Carbohydrates, amino-acids, proteins, lipids Carbohydrates, amino-acids, proteins, lipids
Isomers Knowledge of isomers is studied isomer information for molecules is studied
Common elements in molecules Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus etc.
Chemical reactions are dependent on factors like Heat, pH, humidity, Temperature, pH, Humidity.

Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry differences

Difference Organic chemistry Biochemistry
Subject covers Structure, properties of compounds, isomerism, their reactions, synthesis and uses Covers macro molecules, micro-molecules in the body, enzymes, their reactions
Elements involved here specifically Alkylhalides like carbon tetra chloride, aromatics like benzene Cofactors of enzymes having heavy metals, vitamins, enzymes
Application relate to Food, daily chemicals, medicines living body functions, clinical diagnosis
Examples of chemical reactions SN1, SN2 reactions, rearrangement reactions, substitution reactions, Photosynthesis, TCA cycle, Mevalonic acid pathway, Denova pathway etc.
Laboratory reactions include Identification, synthesis, extractions Extractions, identification only. No synthesis is involved
Pathways of reactions Mostly smaller pathways. Lengthy pathways.
Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry
Structure of an organic compound

Though the subjects related to each other, the branch of organic chemistry is studied as part of general science while biochemistry is studied for medicine, nursing, botany, zoology etc.

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