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Study Guide6 min read2026-02-14
Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology: Key Topics
Glycolysis, Krebs, lipoproteins, LFTs, CBC normal ranges — the clinical correlations that score well in Year 2.
Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology (ER20-23T) bridges basic science and clinical pharmacy practice.
Biochemistry — Important Topics
Glycolysis (Glucose → Pyruvate)
- Cytoplasm
- 10-step pathway
- Net 2 ATP
- Key enzymes: Hexokinase, Phosphofructokinase, Pyruvate kinase
Krebs Cycle (TCA)
- Mitochondria
- 2 ATP + NADH + FADH2
- Intermediates: Citrate, Isocitrate, α-Ketoglutarate, Succinate
Diabetes Mellitus
- Type 1: insulin deficiency
- Type 2: insulin resistance
- Lab markers: fasting glucose, HbA1c, OGTT
- Transamination
- Deamination
- Urea cycle (liver)
Liver Function Tests:
- ALT (SGPT) — liver damage
- AST (SGOT) — liver and muscle
- ALP — biliary obstruction
- Bilirubin — jaundice
- LDL — "bad" cholesterol (atherosclerosis)
- HDL — "good" cholesterol (cardioprotective)
- VLDL — triglyceride transport
- Ketone bodies — formed from excess fat metabolism (diabetic ketoacidosis marker)
Clinical Pathology — Lab Tests
Hematology
| Test | Normal Range | Significance |
|---|
| Hemoglobin | M: 13–17 g/dL, F: 12–16 g/dL | Anaemia |
| WBC count | 4,000 – 11,000 / μL | Infection / immunity |
| Platelets | 1.5 – 4.5 lakh / μL | Bleeding disorders |
| ESR | M: 0–15, F: 0–20 mm/hr | Inflammation |
Biochemistry
| Test | Normal | Indicates |
|---|
| Fasting blood glucose | 70 – 100 mg/dL | Diabetes if >126 |
| HbA1c | <5.7% | Diabetes control |
| Serum creatinine | 0.6 – 1.2 mg/dL | Kidney function |
| Serum urea (BUN) | 7 – 20 mg/dL | Kidney function |
| Total cholesterol | <200 mg/dL | Cardiovascular risk |
Exam Tips
- Memorise normal values — MCQs love them
- Map which test indicates which disease
- Glycolysis & Krebs with key enzymes
- Clinical correlations score high
FAQ
Is biochemistry difficult?+
Manageable if you focus on clinical correlations. Don't memorise every pathway — understand the logic.
What is HbA1c?+
Glycated haemoglobin — reflects average blood glucose over the past 2 – 3 months.
What does elevated ALT indicate?+
Liver damage (hepatitis, drug toxicity). More specific than AST.
Normal fasting blood glucose?+
70 – 100 mg/dL. Pre-diabetic 100 – 125. Diabetic >126 on two tests.
LDL vs HDL?+
LDL carries cholesterol to tissues (bad). HDL removes cholesterol from tissues (good).