Ladylourds M. DioknoRN

Making our G6PD infographic was a fun way to review the topic while working with my groupmates. One of the challenges was deciding how to present the information clearly without putting too much text in the design. While making it, I also appreciated learning more about how G6PD helps protect red blood cells from damage. It was nice to have an activity where we could be creative while reviewing an important Biochemistry topic. At least this time, our notes came with a design!

At first, the spectrophotometer looked like one of those laboratory machines that I would be scared to touch without supervision. Thankfully, Group 1 made the discussion interactive, so understanding its parts and functions became easier. I learned that even small things, like choosing the right wavelength and making sure the cuvette is clean, can affect the results. I also did well on the quiz, which made me happy because at least my brain decided to cooperate that day. hahaha It was a nice reminder that when a topic is explained in a way that makes sense, learning becomes less intimidating.

Preparing for our group report was a little challenging at first because the Beer-Lambert Law seemed confusing. But as my groupmates and I studied and discussed it, things slowly started to make sense. Reporting it in a conversational and interactive way made the experience more enjoyable, and it was nice that we were learning together instead of simply memorizing everything. I learned that absorbance can help us estimate the concentration of a substance and even monitor a biochemical reaction. Who knew light could be this useful? hahaha This activity taught me that sometimes, the best way to understand something is to try explaining it to other people.

I used to think of ATP as just another term I had to memorize for an exam, but learning about it made me realize how important it really is. Imagine, even our cells need their own source of energy to keep everything running! I found it interesting that the body does not simply use the energy from food directly for every activity. It has to convert and transfer that energy into a usable form. It made me appreciate how much work happens inside our bodies without us even noticing. Honestly, our cells are busy 24/7, and they don't even get a day off! haha

This chapter made me realize that getting energy from food is much more complicated than I imagined. I used to think that eating was simply about giving our bodies nutrients, but there is actually a whole process happening inside our cells to release that energy. What amazed me was that the body has to handle this energy carefully instead of just letting it go to waste. It made me look at something as ordinary as eating rice a little differently. Hahaha Who knew that something we eat every day goes through so many biochemical processes just to help keep us going?

I have heard so many times that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, but this chapter helped me understand why people keep saying that. Learning how electrons move through the respiratory chain and how this helps produce ATP was honestly fascinating. I was amazed that the cell can use this process to generate so much of the energy it needs. It also made me realize that oxygen has a much bigger role than just helping us breathe. There is a whole process happening inside our cells that we cannot see, yet our bodies depend on it every day. Doc, the mitochondria really do have a full-time job!

This chapter made me realize that our bodies are actually very resourceful when it comes to energy. I found it interesting that the body can use different fuels depending on what is available and what it needs. It is not just about eating and immediately using everything we consume. Our bodies also store energy and know when to use those reserves. It reminded me that metabolism is happening all the time, even when we are sleeping or doing absolutely nothing. HAHAHA! Imagine resting while your body is still working behind the scenes to keep everything running.

When I first saw the citric acid cycle, I honestly thought, “How am I supposed to remember all these names and steps?” hahaha But as we discussed it, I started to appreciate how each step contributes to the bigger picture. What amazed me was that the cycle does more than just break things down; it also produces electron carriers that help the body generate ATP. I realized that even if the pathway looks complicated on paper, every step has a purpose. I may still need to review the intermediates a few more times, but at least I now understand why this cycle matters instead of memorizing it blindly.

Glycolysis made me realize that even one glucose molecule has a whole journey ahead of it inside the cell. What I found interesting was that the process actually uses some ATP before producing more ATP later. At first, that seemed a little funny to me. Imagine spending energy before you can earn some back! But it helped me understand that the body sometimes has to invest energy to make energy. I also liked learning that glucose can be broken down through a series of steps instead of everything happening all at once. Now, whenever I hear the word glucose, I remember that it has more responsibilities than simply being called sugar.

Before discussing this chapter, I mostly associated carbohydrates with rice, bread, and the usual question of whether we had eaten enough. hahaha Learning about their different forms and functions made me realize that carbohydrates are more important than I initially thought. They do not only provide energy; some also play structural and other important roles in the body. I found it interesting that something as familiar as the food on our plates connects to so many processes happening inside us. This chapter reminded me that even the simplest things we encounter every day can have a much bigger role in biochemistry than we expect.

I found glycogen metabolism interesting because it made me think of glycogen as the body's stored supply of glucose for when it needs energy. Instead of depending only on the food we have just eaten, the body can keep some glucose stored and use it when necessary. I was especially interested in how the liver and muscles have different roles in this process. It made me realize that the body prepares ahead instead of simply waiting until we need energy. Honestly, our bodies are more organized than I am during exam week. hahaha At least the body has a storage system, while I sometimes struggle to remember where I put my notes.

These two pathways showed me that the body has more than one way to handle its biochemical needs. I found gluconeogenesis interesting because the body can make glucose from certain non-carbohydrate sources when needed. Meanwhile, the pentose phosphate pathway helped me appreciate that glucose is not only useful for making ATP. It can also contribute to producing NADPH and ribose-5-phosphate, which are important for other cellular functions. I liked realizing that the same starting molecule can be involved in different pathways depending on what the body needs. It is like the body has different plans for the same resource. hahahaThe more we study biochemistry, the more I realize that our cells are surprisingly good at multitasking.

Our small group discussion about carbon monoxide turned out to be really fun! The discussion went smoothly, and everyone was able to share their ideas, which made the topic easier to understand. I found it interesting how carbon monoxide can affect the body by interfering with oxygen transport, even though a person may not immediately realize how dangerous the exposure is. It was a nice experience because we were learning from one another without making the discussion feel too serious or stressful. Moments like this remind me that studying medicine is not always about memorizing pages of notes; sometimes, understanding a topic becomes easier when you get to discuss it with your classmates.

Reviewing Biochemistry has definitely been a process of trying to connect one topic to another. With so many pathways and concepts to remember, I sometimes have to go over my notes more than once before everything starts to make sense. Using my iPad helps me keep my materials organized and makes it easier to revisit the topics discussed in class. I am still working on improving my study habits, especially when lessons become overwhelming, but I am trying my best to understand the concepts instead of simply memorizing them for exams. There is still a lot to learn, but little by little, I am getting there. <3