Bldg Blocks of Life

Catalog description

This course provides basic foundational knowledge of the biochemical structures, properties, and functions of proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, vitamins, hormones, and pertinent antibiotics/antagonists. The major metabolic pathways and their functions are described and integrated to achieve an appreciation of the dynamics of metabolic regulation and control within cells, as well as between cells, organs, and organ systems within the whole body. The biochemistry and molecular biology of genetic informational inheritance; its storage, retrieval, expression, utilization; and its repair in normal health is stressed. Diseases due to inborn errors of metabolism and protein function, and certain environmental diseases are examined; and several clinical case studies integrate foundational knowledge of biochemistry into an orderly progression of critical thinking that competent clinicians are mindful of in obtaining differential diagnosis, design of treatment strategies, follow-up, and consultation with other health professionals. The course is offered as an on-line course, where all students will be expected to progress through each teaching module in sequential order. This course is open only to students in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program.