The chemical makeup of life is surprisingly specialized. While the periodic table contains over 100 elements, roughly is composed of just six: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium.
These reactions are almost always facilitated by , which accelerate chemical processes that would otherwise happen too slowly to sustain life. The "Central Dogma" Essentials of Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the scientific study of the chemical substances and vital processes that occur within living organisms. By bridging molecular biology and chemistry, this discipline provides a detailed map of life at its most fundamental level—from individual atoms to complex cellular systems. The chemical makeup of life is surprisingly specialized
: The process of using that energy to build up necessary cellular components, such as synthesizing new proteins or DNA. The "Central Dogma" Biochemistry is the scientific study
: These serve as the primary source of energy (e.g., glucose) and provide structural support in plants and microorganisms.