Looking at Life Through a Biochemical Glass

When life is viewed through the lens of a biochemistry major, perspectives shift into a molecular level. To understand the mechanisms of life reactions as a whole, one must first begin to look at the subatomic level. A philosophical approach of grasping life using the language of chemistry is a rather peculiar and sappy scheme, but it may be useful in appreciating the discipline a little deeper.

Artwork by Agusto Zambonato

In Organic Chemistry

In organic chemistry, we learn that the stability of a compound is dependent on various factors like resonance, internal energy, steric effects, and conformations. Like compounds, humans also need to consider a lot of things to help keep a positive and balanced energy within. For instance, in resonance, electrons are passed from atom to atom (delocalization), contributing to a stabilizing effect. This can be thought of as atoms being people, and the electrons, our negative thoughts. When we are able to openly communicate to the people that matter around us, the burdens we feel inside become a bit lighter, like how resonance hybrids are formed. We adapt to the environments we are subjected to in order to be at our most stable states, the way kinetic products are favored at lower temperatures and thermodynamic products at high ones. We stray away from heavy burdens as perceived in steric hindrances, where closely attached bulky groups form repulsions that cause instability. We do things to help us cope and reach our most stable conformation.

In Biochemistry

The saying that ‘Everything psychological is biological’ is something that can be explained by biochemistry. The mind is so powerful that it has the capacity to rationalize between belief and reality, where neurotransmitters play a crucial role. Biochemical responses, whether excitatory or inhibitory, are, to some extent, results of what goes around inside our head. It is important that we try our best to check on ourselves, on whether our thoughts are already causing detrimental effects to how we perform. How we think and feel are things that are undeniably uncontrollable but putting ourselves first and taking care of ourselves can already go a long way. When things get too much, it is also important to seek help.

Like biomolecules, we also need to keep ourselves at optimum conditions to help us perform at maximum levels. Enzymes, in particular, require a specific range of temperature and pH to ensure its capacity to bind to a certain substrate. A lot of environmental factors are also considered in proteins to prevent its denaturation. In human analogy, this can be related to various external factors that affect our lives such as the pressure we allow ourselves to have, and the kind of environment we are exposed to. The existence of buffer systems that maintain pH by resisting drastic changes through the addition of an acid or base can also be related by how our families and friends help us during difficult times. Humans are thus comparable to chemical entities that spark an impact to the solutions or environment they are in.

In General and Analytical Chemistry

In almost all branches of chemistry, a lot of maths are involved. Various equations and analytical skills are deemed useful in explaining principles, like the use of ideal gas law equations in understanding thermodynamics. In life, equations can also be useful. There is no specific formula that would work well for everyone, but the existence of equations can help serve as a guiding light in finding solutions to a myriad number of problems. The Henderson-Hasselbalch, Debye-Hückel, and Hammett equation cannot help us solve intra and interpersonal issues per se, but the idea that having a step-by-step or sequential approach in dealing with such situations can help one have a clearer mind. Having such an approach can also help in sending better signals to the brain. However, finding the right formula is not that easy, not just during exams but in real life as well. It takes time; we make mistakes, especially with complex problems. We can, however, derive our own equations depending on whatever life may throw at you. From there, we can move forward one step at a time.

The aggregation of knowledge I have gained from years of trying to understand chemistry as a subject has led me to formulating figurative analogies that has, in one way or another, helped me with certain situations. As I learn more about life, the world seems to become bigger. It gets confusing and chaotic, yet viewing life at the molecular level has helped me shape a better perception of everything around me.

With all the overwhelming things that are happening right now, it would be hypocritical for me to say that I am handling things, especially my chemistry classes, well. There are days when I feel passionate to learn even the most complex concepts, but there are also days when I have zero motivation, where everything seems to become bleak and meaningless. The constant pursuit of finding the right answers can be very frustrating, especially when life throws you with so many questions that never seem to end. It gets tiring, and demotivating, to continue on. At that point, we must contemplate why we do the things we do, the primary motivation we have to get through every single day, whatever reason we may have.

Chemistry encompasses a wide array of topics, with an overwhelming amount I still do not know — subjects I haven’t dealt with yet, and discoveries that are still to be known. The only thing I know for certain is that it is everywhere; in the real world, and even in the most mundane things in life.