Apr 18, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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CH 2261 - Biochemistry for Life Sciences

2 lecture hours 2 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This course introduces students to biomolecules, such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids in relation to human physiology. Structure and function of biomolecules and their roles in human body will be discussed. Enzymes and their roles in metabolism will be discussed. Nutritional aspects of the carbohydrate metabolism will be detailed. Biochemical basis of metabolic diseases will be discussed. Mechanism of action of pharmaceuticals such as dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and PGE2 will be introduced. Hands-on experience of disease diagnosis applying biochemical approach will allow students to connect the course with their major. (prereq: CH 2251 )
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Learn functions of amino acids, peptides, relate the primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary structures of proteins to function, protein hydrolysis and denaturation
  • Relate the chemical structures of carbohydrates to respective functions
  • Relate the different kinds of lipids to their respective physiological functions
  • Describe enzymes and how they work, factors affecting enzyme activity, explain enzyme inhibition, describe regulation of enzymes, recognize importance of enzymes in diseases
  • Identify nucleotides, describe structure of DNA, outline replication process, describe transcription and translation, explain how genetic code functions, describe mutations
  • Describe nutritional requirements, vitamins and minerals, outline stages of metabolism, role of ATP, coenzymes, describe metabolism of glucose in details, hormonal control of metabolism
  • Outline fat metabolism, describe conditions of ketonemia, ketonuria, ketosis, ketoacidosis
  • Learn the biochemical basis of diseases, biochemical markers and treatment

Prerequisites by Topic
  • Isomerism
  • Naming organic compounds
  • Identify variuos organic functional groups
  • Chemical structure and classes of amino acids
  • Chemical structure of nucleic acids
  • Chemical structure and classes of carbohydrates
  • Chemical structure of lipids

Course Topics
  • Enzyme nomenclature, enzyme co-factors, mechanism of enzyme action, factors affecting enzyme action, enzyme inhibition, enzyme regulation, medical applications of enzymes (3 classes)
  • Function of DNA and RNA, DNA replication, transcription, translation, genetic code, mutations (4 classes)
  • Nutritional requirements, macro and micronutrients, catabolism of food, ATP, coenzymes, blood glucose, glycolysis, citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, glycogen metabolism, hormonal regulation (5 classes)
  • Blood lipids, beta oxidation of fatty acids, ketone bodies and pathological conditions that cause their overproduction (2 classes)
  • Biochemical explanations and diagnosis of diseases including diabetes, myocardial infarctions, hepatic and nephrotic damage (2 classes)
  • Action of pharmaceuticals such as dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and PGE2 (1 class)
  • Exams (3 classes)

Laboratory Topics
  • Experiment #1: Vitamins         
  • Experiment #2: Enzymes         
  • Experiment #3: Peptides and Proteins   
  • Experiment #4: DNA components & Extraction
  • Experiment #5: Tests for carbohydrates            
  • Experiment #6: Lipids  
  • Experiment #7: Kidney function test-Determination of serum & urine creatinine          
  • Experiment # 8: Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase as disease marker          
  • Experiment #9: Analysis of Urine- a simulation

Coordinator
Dr. Vipin Paliwal



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