TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE        –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         i

CERTIFICATION           –         –         –         –         –         –         –         ii

DEDICATION      –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS       –         –         –         –         –         –         iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS          –         –         –         –         –         –         v-vi

INTRODUCTION         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         1-2

HISTROY OF BIOCHEMISTRY    –         –         –         –         –         3-8

Advances in Different Areas of Biochemistry          –         –         –         8-15

Description of a Biochemistry   –         –         –         –         –         –         15-17

Biochemistry in Nigerian Universities –         –         –         –         –         17-18

Basic Entry Qualification to Study Biochemistry     –         –         –         18-19

Challenges Facing Researchers in Africa       –         –         –         –         19-22

JOB PROSPECT OF BIOCHEMIST        –         –         –         –         23-24

Job Duties of a Biochemist        –         –         –         –         –         –         24-26

Biochemistry Prospect for Sustainable Development         –         –         26-27

The Problems and Challenges of Job Prospects For Biochemist  –         27-29

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Summary     –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         –         30

Conclusion  –         –         –

INTRODUCTION

Biochemists are scientists who study the chemistry of living things. Their work includes studying the complex chemical combinations and reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth, and heredity.

Some biochemists do basic research that expands scientific knowledge about the chemistry of living things. Others do applied research—that is, they work to create new products or to solve practical problems. In the field of medicine, for example, biochemists doing basic research may study the ways hormones are formed. Biochemists doing applied research may use the basic findings about hormone formation to develop synthetic hormones that can be produced on a large scale (Baker, 2000).

Biochemists working in medicine are sometimes called molecular biologists. They study bacteria, viruses, and other organisms to better understand the chemical basis of life. They also determine the effects of chemicals on medical problems such as cancer, aging, or obesity.

Biochemists in nutrition analyze food products to measure their vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals. They research the effects of freezing or cooking and compute the caloric value of foods (Charles, 1993).

About half of all biochemists work for colleges and universities, where they teach or do re search. Many are employed by private firms such as breweries, drug companies, petroleum producers, and manufacturers. Others work for nonprofit research centers or government agencies. A few biochemists are self-employed consultants who advise government or industry.

Although their jobs may differ widely, almost all biochemists do laboratory research at least some of the time. They plan research projects to test theories or to develop new products or processes. They are often assisted by laboratory technicians or research assistants. Biochemists perform a number of tasks, such as weighing chemicals, filtering liquids, distilling ingredients, and growing cultures of microorganisms. They use a variety of tools and instruments, including test tubes, beakers, flasks, electron microscopes, centrifuges, and spectrophotometers. Sometimes they make use of radioactive isotopes. Biochemists must use exact scientific methods in their work. They are often aided by computerized Biochemists conduct their research in laboratories and then use scientific methods and computer programs to analyze their data. (USDA-ARS.) data. Biochemists generally write up their findings for scientific journals and report them before groups of scientists (Odunusi, 1993).