10-806-186Intro to Biochemistry
Course Information
Description
Provides students with skills and knowledge of organic and biological chemistry. Emphasis is placed on recognizing the structure, physical properties and chemical reactions of organic molecules, body fluids, and solutions. Additional emphasis is placed on biological functions and reactions, and their relationships to enzymes, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and DNA.
Total Credits
4
Course Competencies
  1. Use appropriate scientific equipment, methods, and safety precautions
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    identify hazards and safety equipment in the chemistry lab
    use appropriate personal protective equipment
    follow all laboratory practice expectations within your college

  2. Examine the role of water in biochemistry, including Ph and solubility
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    describe the function of chemical buffers in living systems
    relate the pH to the hydronium and hydroxide ion concentration
    predict effects of pH on chemical structure and solubility
    predict the effects of pH on biochemical reactions and its
    describe the formation and characteristics of aqueous solutions
    predict the solubility of molecules in aqueous solutions based on polarity, charge, and hydrogen bonding
    explain solubility as a physical property of compounds
    describe the processes of diffusion and osmosis
    explain effects of hydrogen bonds on the physical properties of water

  3. Summarize the structure, physical properties, and chemical reactions of hydrocarbons
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    determine names for hydrocarbons
    determine structure from common name
    classify hydrocarbons by family
    characterize the physical properties
    convert between condensed and expanded structural formulas
    predict the product of common reactions
    recognize geometric and structural isomers

  4. Summarize the structure, physical properties and chemical reactions of amines, carboxylic acids and their derivatives
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    determine structure from common name
    classify according to functional group
    characterize physical properties
    convert between condensed and expanded structural formulas
    predict the product of common reactions
    relate each to biological significance

  5. Summarize the structure, physical and chemical properties of alcohols, ethers, thiols, aldehydes, and ketones
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    determine structure from common name
    classify according to functional group
    characterize the physical properties
    convert between condensed and expanded structural formulas
    predict the product of common reactions
    relate each to biological significance

  6. Correlate the molecular structure and function of proteins to their roles in biological systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    illustrate the structure of a given written, graphic or oral peptide
    explain the four levels of protein structure and the types of interactions responsible for each level
    explain the causes and mechanisms of protein denaturation
    relate the structure of a protein to its function
    identify the roles of selected proteins
    identify chiral carbons
    recognize the biological significance of chirality

  7. Correlate the structure of enzymes to their biological function
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    contrast the characteristics of enzymes versus inorganic catalysts
    recognize factors that affect enzyme activity
    describe the role of cofactors, vitamins and coenzymes in enzyme function
    explain mechanisms of enzyme regulation
    give example of how selected enzymes can be used in medical diagnosis
    recognize the biological significance of chirality

  8. Correlate the structure to the functions of key carbohydrates
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    discriminate among common carbohydrates
    relate the structural differences to the biological significance of selected carbohydrates
    illustrate the common reactions of carbohydrates
    recognize the biological significance of chirality

  9. Correlate the structure to the functions of key lipids
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    discriminate among common lipids
    relate the structural differences to the biological significance of selected lipids
    illustrate the common reactions of lipids
    discuss the structure and function of cellular membranes

  10. Examine carbohydrate metabolism
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    identify the major incoming and outgoing metabolites of aerobic and anaeorbic glycolysis, Krebs Cycle (citric acid), and electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation
    relate carbohydrate metabolism to metabolic disorders
    compare energy yield of various metabolic pathways
    explain how oxidation and reduction are involved in metabolism
    identify key precursors of carbohydrates
    contrast the general characteristics of catabolism and anabolism

  11. Examine protein and lipid metabolism
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    identify major incoming and outgoing metabolites of fatty acid oxidation
    identify major incoming and outgoing metabolites of the urea cycle
    identify key precursors of proteins and lipids
    compare energy yield of various metabolic pathways
    explain how oxidation and reduction are involved in metabolism
    relate protein and lipid metabolism to metabolic disorders

  12. Correlate the molecular structure and function of DNA and RNA to their roles in biological systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    show correlation between structure of DNA and RNA
    describe the roles of the various RNA molecules in protein synthesis
    explain the process of basic DNA replication
    discuss the biological significance of RNA and DNA