MCCCD Program Description

Fundamental Biochemistry

Course: CHM260

First Term: 2023 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Structures, properties, and functions of proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids; the utilization and synthesis of these materials by living systems and the relationship of the processes to energy production and utilization.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the relationship between a biomolecule`s structure and its physical and chemical properties within a living cell. (I-VIII) 2. Outline the replication steps for DNA, RNA. (I, VIII) 3. Describe the biochemical reactions of the cell including anabolism. (I,V-VIII) 4. Describe the biochemical reactions that release energy from carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. (V-VIII). 5. Explain protein synthesis from the genetic code. (III, IV, VII-VIII). 6. Interpret protein structure and how it relates to its function. (II-IV) 7. Explain the role of enzymes and the control of enzymatic processes. (IV)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Review of biology and organic chemistry A. Organic functional groups - recognize and know what common reactions exist with each B. Central dogma of biochemistry - 3 nucleotide units encode a specific amino acid, these are linked in an exact sequence for a particular protein. C. Cell structure and differentiation into organelles, organelle functions D. Prokaryotes vs. eurkarotes E. Biochemical analysis II. Review of inorganic chemistry and water as a biological solvent A. Simple ions, polyatomic Ions, B. Covalent bonding and polarity C. Water, ionization, pH, buffers D. Zwitterions, amino acids, and relate to pH, Henderson- Hasselbach equation E. Biological buffers III. Amino acids, peptides, proteins A. Amino acids, most common, chirality B. Amino acid side chain differentiation and function C. Isoelectric points of amino acids D. Peptide synthesis and hydrolysis E. Peptide function F. Protein function G. Protein structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary IV. Enzymes A. Nomenclature and classifications B. Catalytic activity, coenzymes, cofactors C. Michalis-Menten model for enzyme-substrate complex D. Mechanism for enzyme actions E. Regulation: competitive and non-competitive inhibition (allosteric control) F. Enzymes as diagnostic markers in medical diagnosis V. Carbohydrates A. Nomenclature, structure, stereochemistry review B. O-chem review of reactions of aldehydes, ketones C. Synthesis of carbohydrates, and polysaccharides D. Glycoproteins and immune system response VI. Lipids A. Nomenclature, classifications, solubility similarities B. Fatty acids and triglycerides C. Cell lipids, cephalins, lecithins, sphingolipids D. Steroids E. Prostaglandins F. Terpenes G. Waxes VII. Metabolism, bioenergenics A. Catabolism 1. Stage 1 - digestion 2. Stage 2 - acetyl CoA production 3. Stage 3 - introduction to citric acid cycle, electron transport chain B. ATP - energy provider for biological systems. C. Anaerobic vs. aerobic respiration D. Glycolysis in detail, allosteric controls E. Other catabolic pathways (glycogenolysis) F. Anabolism of gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis G. Electron transport chain in detail, allosteric controls H. Lipid metabolism 1. Lipoproteins 2. Fatty-acid spiral I. Protein metabolism - protein turnover J. Amino acid metabolism: 1. Ketone bodies 2. Transmination 3. Urea formation VIII. DNA, RNA, genetics, central dogma A. Nucleotides - structure and function B. DNA - Watson and Crick structure - anti parallel strands C. Base pairing, A-T and G-C D. Complimentary strands E. Genes F. Replication G. RNA - structure and function, differences with DNA H. Overview of central dogma and protein synthesis 1. Flow of genetic information 2. Codons, anticodons 3. Transcription - genetic code 4. Viral RNA transcription (retro-viruses) 5. Translation and protein synthesis, initiation, elongation, and termination 6. Mutations I. Recombinant DNA 1. Plasmids 2. Human genome project, PCR

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: May 1, 2018

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.