BCH 4024 — Biochemistry
This course is an introduction to biochemistry and intermediary metabolism. Topics include an overview of chemical interactions in aqueous environments, properties of water, acids, bases, buffers and the laws of thermodynamics. Additional topics include surveys of structure, functional properties, synthesis, degradation and chemistry of the major groups of biologically important organic molecules (amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids). Topics include enzyme kinetics and mechanisms of catalysis, a survey of the pathways of carbohydrate, lipid and nitrogen metabolism and their metabolic control, and the role of metabolic pathway integration in physiological homeostasis; regulation of gene expression at the level of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. This course will include discussion sessions and problem solving of experimental data that teach interpretation of current biochemical theories and techniques.