For some reason, people often ignore the importance of biochemistry and believe that only those who have decided to pursue their career paths in scientific fields should explore the chemical reactions and processes occurring in living things.
In fact, biochemistry provides detailed information about how living organisms work and contributes to the development of various industries, including but not limited to the agricultural, pharmaceutical, and healthcare industries.
Whether you’re majoring in biochemistry and want to get a job in the industry or you’re just curious about the way our bodies carry out different chemical reactions, you should consider reading some of the best biochemistry books. To help you get started, the article shares the top 18 biochemistry books everybody should read, starting from kid- and beginner-friendly biochemistry books and continuing with more advanced options.
#1. ABCs of Biochemistry by Cara Florance
ABCs of Biochemistry is a kid-friendly biochemistry book with adorable illustrations, helping children to visualize while learning more about the basic concepts, such as amino acids, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, enzymes, hormones, DNA, and many more. This is an excellent easy-to-read book for kids enthusiastic about biochemistry.
If you’re looking for a few more kid-friendly biochemistry books, make sure to check out the series of illustrated biochemistry books for kids by Cara Florance:
#2. The Manga Guide to Biochemistry by Office Sawa, Kikuyaro, and Masaharu Takemura
If you or your kid are more into comics, then The Manga Guide to Biochemistry might be the best option for you. This biochemistry book is presented in graphic novel format in which a girl learns about different aspects of biochemistry from her intelligent friend and his professor.
Along with covering some of the key topics in biochemistry, the book is designed in a way that doesn’t distract the readers from the educational value. This biochemistry book is a perfect option for high school and undergraduate students who haven’t learned biochemistry in depth yet.
#3. Biochemistry for Dummies by John T. Moore and Richard H. Langley
If you’re having trouble understanding different concepts of biochemistry, then you should consider reading the book called “Biochemistry for Dummies.” This book is specifically designed to help the reader get a better idea of how to study biochemistry and apply the knowledge of biochemistry to different aspects of life.
Along with being beginner-friendly, Biochemistry for Dummies is an excellent tool for college students to prepare themselves for quizzes and tests. This is because the book makes it pretty straightforward to understand the basic concepts of biochemistry.
#4. Biochemistry Demystified by Sharon Walker and David McMahon
Biochemistry Demystified is one of the best simplified biochemistry books that helps beginners understand the basic and more complex chemical processes of living organisms. The text introduces the primary concepts of biochemistry first and then continues with explaining the more advanced chemical processes.
What makes the book even more beginner-friendly is that it features hundreds of examples and illustrations, making the concepts even easier to comprehend. Besides, questions at the end of each chapter let you strengthen your knowledge and determine whether you understand the given topic.
#5. Biochemistry: A Very Short Introduction by Mark Lorch
Biochemistry: A Very Short Introduction is yet another beginner-friendly biochemistry book that can be especially helpful for those who are just starting to learn biochemistry. Although the book is written by an expert in the field, the concepts are totally easy to understand.
The topics discussed in this biochemistry book include the roots of biochemistry; water, lipids, and carbohydrates; proteins as nature’s nano-machines; nucleic acids as life’s blueprints; bioenergetics; DNA manufacturing and maintenance; biochemistry within the cells; and biotechnology and synthetic biology.
#6. Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry by Kathleen Botham, Owen McGuinness, Victor Rodwell, P. Anthony Weil, and Peter Kennelly
Believe it or not, scientific illustrations in books are pretty much essential for visualizing different molecules and concepts while learning a new subject. And if you’re looking for an illustrated biochemistry book to better understand the topics, Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry is probably the best option for you.
Although this biochemistry book features plenty of visual components, the topics are explained in detail and the book is not considered among the easiest biochemistry books available on the market.
#7. Biochemistry by Charles C. Hardin and James A. Knopp
If you already have general knowledge of chemistry and biology but want to explore the concepts of biochemistry, then this biochemistry book is for you. The book includes all basic and advanced topics that are typically covered in a one-semester biochemistry course.
The essential core concepts discussed in the book “Biochemistry” include cell biology review, chemistry review, amino acids, proteins, ligand binding, functional control, enzymes and their metabolic actions, coenzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, membranes and membrane transport, signal transduction, DNA and RNA, biotechnology, metabolism, bioenergetics, bioelectrochemistry, glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, gluconeogenesis, photosynthesis, and more.
#8. Biochemistry by Roger L. Miesfeld and Megan M. McEvoy
Whether you’re a student or you’ve decided to become an instructor in biochemistry, this biochemistry book is for you. Along with discussing the basic concepts of biochemistry, the text is formulated in a rigorous way. Although this is not one of the simplest biochemistry books to read, the book still makes it easy for the students to read and understand the topics.
One of the main reasons you should consider reading this biochemistry book is that it features illustrations and real-world examples, making it easier for you to understand why biochemistry matters and how you can apply the knowledge of biochemistry to solving your everyday problems.
#9. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Concepts, Techniques, and Applications by Sydney Marsh
If you’re looking for a comprehensible biochemistry book to understand different aspects of the complex subject, then this book is definitely for you. While sharing the concepts, techniques, and applications of biochemistry and molecular biology, the book focuses on making the information as easy to understand as possible.
Although this book is easy to read, it’s still designed for individuals with a background in one of the scientific fields. According to the author, the book serves as a reference text for both students and experts in the field.
#10. Biochemistry Laboratory: Modern Theory and Techniques by Rodney Boyer
If you’re majoring in biochemistry but don’t have access to a lab yet, this is an excellent book to prepare yourself for future lab sessions. The book provides detailed information about the theories, techniques, and methodologies used in biochemistry teaching and research labs.
Although this book shouldn’t be considered a lab manual, it grants you knowledge of general techniques and methods used by biochemistry professionals. After reading this book, you should gain a better understanding of what to expect as you enter a biochemistry lab.
#11. Medical Biochemistry at a Glance by J.G. Salway
Medical Biochemistry at a Glance is a biochemistry textbook that focuses on highlighting the relevance of biochemistry to clinical medicine. This book is designed for students of medicine or other biomedical sciences, including but not limited to biochemistry, nutrition, pharmacy, pharmacology, physiology, and genetics.
However, as an individual enthusiastic about learning more about why biochemistry is so important in medicine, you should definitely check out this book. Keep in mind that you’ll need to have an understanding of the basic concepts of chemistry, biology, and biochemistry to comprehend the text.
#12. Clinical Biochemistry and Drug Development: From Fundamentals to Output by Shashank Kumar
If you’re curious about how drugs are discovered and developed, this book is for you. Clinical Biochemistry and Drug Development explores three different aspects of clinical research, including cell culture techniques and their potential uses, clinical biochemistry and biochemical analysis, and drug discovery and development.
While this book is mainly used by students majoring in biochemistry, pharmacology, or pharmacy, anyone can read and understand the text as long as they have knowledge of the basic concepts of chemistry, biology, and biochemistry.
#13. Biochemistry Behind the Symptoms by Emine E. Abali, Roy Carman, and Douglas Spicer
While gaining theoretical knowledge is important, using practical knowledge and experience is even more crucial. Therefore, the authors designed an excellent book called “Biochemistry Behind the Symptoms” which provides a problem-based approach to help students understand how to apply the knowledge of biochemistry to solving clinical problems.
The book mentions the common symptoms encountered by healthcare professionals and teaches you how to form confident diagnoses. What makes this book even more unique is that each chapter discusses the concepts of biochemistry that explain the rationale behind the given symptoms.
#14. The Biochemistry of Human Nutrition: A Desk Reference by Sareen S. Gropper
Nutrition is an indivisible part of our health and development. Therefore, understanding what nutrition is and how one should create a healthy and balanced diet is essential. If you’re enthusiastic about exploring the nutrients your body needs to function properly and stay healthy, the book called “The Biochemistry of Human Nutrition” is for you.
This book includes the definitions and descriptions of pretty much every single nutrition-related biochemical term and concept. You can find literally everything you need to understand the nutrition of humans.
#15. Biochemistry of Body Weight Management by Ashta Dwivedi
If body weight management is something you would love to learn more about, then consider reading this book. The text highlights the importance of maintaining body weight throughout adult life and explains how it’s connected to living a healthy life.
Besides, the book provides further details about the health risks caused by being overweight from a biochemical perspective. By reading this book, you can learn more about the biochemical changes in the human body that could potentially lead to weight management issues.
#16. Biochemistry for Sport and Exercise Metabolism by Donald MacLaren and James Morton
For those passionate about sports and exercising, there’s an excellent biochemistry book focusing on the biochemical principles involved in different physical activities. This book is often considered to be a comprehensible introduction to the biochemistry of muscle metabolism.
To make the text easy to understand, the authors provide general information about energy metabolism as well as the basic structure and function of skeletal muscles. The book also explores carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins to explain how these macromolecules are involved in energy metabolism. In addition, the text covers the regulation of energy production and storage.
#17. Environmental Biochemistry by Victor Perry
Since environmental pollution has been a hot topic of discussion during the past decade, more and more people are becoming interested in how harmful materials affect our environment or human health. If you’re one of them, this book is for you.
Environmental Biochemistry provides detailed information about the biochemical processes that affect living organisms and our planet as a whole. The text also discusses ways to reduce or prevent environmental pollution.
#18. Marine Biochemistry: Applications by Se-Kwon Kim
As a matter of fact, the marine biosphere is the largest, and yet least explored, biospheres on our planet. And marine-derived products, specifically marine-derived pharmaceuticals, are gaining popularity across the globe.
If you’re willing to learn more about novel techniques for marine product development, this book is definitely for you. The text discusses numerous approaches for extracting and applying the flora and fauna to discovering and creating new materials and marine-based products.
