Biochemistry

Biochemistry explores the structure and role of essential biological molecules focusing on carbohydrate, lipid, nucleic acid and protein chemistry. Biochemistry is a survey course designed to review general principles of chemistry and biochemistry while relating them back to the physiological conditions of an organism, understanding the chemical and molecular events involved in biological processes. Topics designed in this course include the structure and function of biomolecules, relationship of biochemistry to the physiology of an organism, relationship of bioenergetics to the physiological state of an organism, description of the chemistry underlying metabolic reactions, regulation of metabolic pathways, nutrition and metabolism, enzyme structure and catalysis, DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, and the role of DNA in inheritance.

This course provides the linkage between the inanimate world of chemistry and the living world of biology.

Acknowledgements

Successful completion of a full year of high school biology or equivalent.

Course Objectives

To understand:

How large molecules are made and function.
How energy is harnessed, used, and stored.
Mechanism by which enzymes catalyze cellular chemical reactions.
Mechanism and control of DNA transcription, translation and protein synthesis.
Relationship of impairment in macromolecular structure and function to disease.

Additional Requirements

Please Note: This course requires use of java to access some course content, which will require regular access to a computer with a Windows/Mac operating system running Safari or Internet explorer. This part of the course cannot be completed on a Chromebook or mobile device.