10007135Applied Chemistry for Biotechnology
Course Information
Description
This course covers topics in organic chemistry, biochemistry and physical chemistry with an emphasis on their application in the biotechnology laboratory.  Applied examples will be used from the fields of drug delivery, gene delivery, biopolymers, food chemistry and medicinal chemistry, to illustrate broader concepts such as intermolecular interactions, acid/base equilibria, thermodynamics and kinetics. Laboratory is included.
Total Credits
4
Course Competencies
  1. Identify intermolecular forces between two species and their impact on states of matter and solubility
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product (observations and results)
    Criteria
    Predict the solubility of organic molecules based on the intermolecular forces with the solvents
    Correlate the states of matter with the strength of intermolecular forces

  2. Apply the types of intermolecular forces to biological systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Presentation, Written Product
    Criteria
    Illustrate the importance of hydrogen bonding in the structure of proteins and nucleic acids
    Show examples of intermolecular forces involved in protein folding

  3. Apply collision theory to explain and classify reaction rates
    Assessment Strategies
    Presentation, Written Product
    Criteria
    Use collision theory to explain factors that influence reactions rates (concentration, temperature, state of matter)
    Distinguish between graphical representations of reactions of different kinetic orders
    Describe the effect of a catalyst on the reaction rates

  4. Determine reaction order and rate law based upon experimental concentration change, and vice-versa
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product (observations and results)
    Criteria
    Define and explain the concepts of reaction rate, rate constant, reaction order, initial rates
    Determine the rate laws from initial rates
    Calculate concentration or time from the rate law

  5. Explain the general mechanism of enzymes as biological catalysts
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product (observations and results)
    Criteria
    Define catalysts, activation energy, half-life, rate-determining step
    Demonstrate quantitatively how the Michaelis-Menten equation relates to the determination of maximum reaction rates in enzyme kinetics

  6. Explain the transfer of energy in chemical reactions
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Distinguish between endothermic and exothermic reactions
    Distinguish between internal energy, potential energy, kinetic energy, work, heat transfer, enthalpy
    Measure reaction enthalpies using calorimetry

  7. Apply thermodynamics to the directionality of chemical reactions
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Define spontaneous and non-spontaneous reactions
    Distinguish between spontaneity and reaction rate
    Distinguish between spontaneous and exothermic
    Define entropy and Gibbs free energy
    Calculate changes in enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy for a given reaction at standard state

  8. Describe characteristics of a system at equilibrium
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Define reversible reactions, chemical equilibrium and equilibrium constant
    Write an expression for the equilibrium constant for a given reversible reaction
    Calculate the equilibrium constant and concentrations based upon experimental data
    Calculate reaction quotient and compare to the equilibrium constant to determine extent of reaction

  9. Explain different factors that affect equilibrium
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Use Le Chatelier's Principle to predict how changes in concentration, temperature, pressure and addition of catalyst affect shifts in equilibrium
    Predict the direction of a reaction to reach equibrium
    Correlate the equilibrium shift with the change in reaction energy

  10. Apply concepts of solubility and equilibrium to the chemistry of solutes and solutions
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Distinguish between unsaturated, saturated and supersaturated solutions
    Correlate solubility and intermolecular forces
    Explain semipermeable membranes, osmosis and its role in the balance of solutes in the living cell

  11. Explain the difference between concentration and strength of acid or base solutions
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Define Arrhenius and Bronsted-Lowry acids and bases, conjugate acids and bases, salts, amphiprotic, polyprotic acids
    Calculate acid and base dissociation constants
    Predict the products of acid/base reactions
    Predict relative strength of acids and bases based upon acid and base dissociation constants
    Calculate unknowns using the relationships between pH, pOH, hydrogen and hydroxide ion concentrations, and Kw

  12. Explain the function and mechanism of buffer systems.
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product (observations and results)
    Criteria
    Use Henderson-Hasselbach equation to determine pH of a buffer solution of given concentration
    Use Henderson-Hasselbach equation to calculation the relative concentrations required to prepare a buffer solution of specified pH
    Identify common buffers used in biotechnology
    Perform acid/base titrations in lab

  13. Apply concepts of acid/base chemistry to systems encountered in biotechnology
    Assessment Strategies
    Presentation, Written Product
    Criteria
    Discuss how changes in pH affect solubility of an organic molecule
    Investigate influence of pH and intermolecular forces on electrophoretic mobility of a charged species
    Describe qualitatively how pH meters and acid/base indicators work
    Give examples of acid/base indicators used in biotechnology
    Describe pH monitoring systems and their role in biotechnology

  14. Apply concepts of redox chemistry to biological systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Presentation, Written Product
    Criteria
    Identify which species are reduced/oxidized in a redox reaction
    Identify oxidated and reduced species in a biochemical reaction
    Identify the parts of an electrolytic cell and explain what happens at the anode and cathode
    Predict the direction of movement of charged species in an electrolytic cell