Biochemistry is a central discipline in the life sciences that explains the chemical basis of living systems. An understanding of biomolecules, metabolic pathways, enzymatic reactions, and gene expression is essential for undergraduate students pursuing studies in Life Sciences, Zoology, Botany, Biotechnology, Microbiology, and related fields. The present book, Foundations of Biochemistry: Structure, Function and Regulation, has been carefully designed to meet the academic requirements of B.Sc. undergraduate students, particularly those following the CBCS and NEP-aligned university curricula.

This book aims to provide a clear, systematic, and concept-oriented understanding of biochemistry, starting from fundamental principles and progressing towards molecular mechanisms. The content has been organized into four well-structured units, each addressing key areas of undergraduate biochemistry. Unit I introduces the fundamentals of biochemistry, chemical composition of living cells, carbohydrates, and major energy-yielding pathways such as glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation, emphasizing the role of ATP in cellular energetics. Unit II focuses on lipids and nucleic acids, highlighting their structure, classification, and biological significance. Unit III is devoted to proteins and enzymes, covering amino acid chemistry, protein structure, enzyme kinetics, regulation, and inhibition. Unit IV provides an overview of nucleic acids and gene expression, including DNA replication, transcription, genetic code, and mutations.
Special care has been taken to present the subject matter in simple, precise, and student-friendly language while maintaining scientific accuracy. Each topic has been explained logically with an emphasis on structure–function relationships, metabolic regulation, and biological relevance, making the text suitable both for classroom learning and examination preparation. The organization of chapters and subtopics closely follows the prescribed undergraduate syllabus, ensuring its usefulness as a core textbook.

This book is intended to serve as a reliable learning resource for students and a useful reference for teachers, helping to build a strong foundation for advanced studies in molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, and biomedical sciences. It is hoped that the present volume will stimulate interest in biochemistry and encourage learners to appreciate its integrative role in understanding life processes.

Suggestions and constructive feedback from readers for further improvement of this book will be gratefully acknowledged.