About the science of biochemistry at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
About the science of biochemistry at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
May 21, 2024
Since ancient times, animals have not only been considered sacred and assistants in various spheres of human activity, but also loyal friends. In the process of observing the behavior of sick animals, people learned the basics of diagnosing their diseases and healing, which they passed on to their descendants. In case of illness or injury, people used natural remedies that were intuitively consumed by animals, which enriched the knowledge of substances with medicinal properties.
With the gradual evolution of animals, the emergence of new species and breeds, veterinary medicine began to develop, which is improving every year and requires well-trained specialists in various areas of the specialty. Today, veterinarians are trained in specialized colleges, technical schools and universities, acquiring knowledge and skills at various departments. The science of biochemistry lays a solid foundation for understanding the body at the molecular level.
The subject of this science is the structural and functional organization of all living things and the ways of converting energy and substances that make up organisms, taking into account species characteristics.
Today, the science of biochemistry is widely used in the laboratory diagnosis of animal diseases. Biochemical research involves the use of various instruments, equipment and methods. By monitoring biochemical markers in samples of biological material, it is possible to clarify the diagnosis of the disease, substantiate its pathogenesis, monitor the dynamics, make a diagnosis, and prescribe effective treatment and, if necessary, make adjustments. For example, blood tests can reveal qualitative and quantitative changes in its components, which may indicate various diseases and pathological processes in organs and tissues. And urine analysis is an indispensable method in the diagnosis of diseases of the kidneys and urinary organs, as well as other internal organs.
Biochemical methods are used not only for in-depth studies of the body, but also for food examination, which is also important because their quality directly affects the health of consumers. In particular, this applies to the examination of milk, meat, eggs, honey and other products of animal and plant origin. In addition, biochemistry is closely related to other sciences, such as chemistry (organic and inorganic, clinical), pharmacology, genetics, animal nutrition and physiology, etc.
In the training of students at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, biochemistry as a science reveals the molecular basis of the body's vital activity and the pathochemistry of pathological processes in the development of animal diseases, even before the manifestation of their symptoms, as well as at the stage of clinical course. All this is directly related to the functioning of the body's cells, which significantly affects the course of both physiological and pathological processes.
So, summarizing all of the above, an integral part of the training of a veterinarian is knowledge of the molecular basis of the body's functioning, the directed use of fundamental and applied research by specialists in this field to objectively and quickly determine the state of animal health and diagnose a disease. All of these aspects are covered by the science of biochemistry, which is one of the leading areas of veterinary medicine.
Prepared by: Elvira Shymshel, student of the 10th group, 1st year (shortened term of study) and Victoria Gryshchenko, Professor of the Hulyi Department of Animal Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, NULES of Ukraine.
