Cellular Biochemistry

Catalog description

Instructional Method: Three hours lecture. Prerequisites: “C” or better in BIOL 112 and CHEM 112 . This lecture-based course explores the biochemical foundations of structure and function in cells. It will cover the four classes of cellular macromolecule: nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, including enzymes as biological catalysts, enzyme kinetics, and the acid-base chemistry of amino acids. The course will introduce the principles of thermodynamics that govern cellular metabolism, including the role of energy coupling, redox reactions, and biological chemistry in the biosynthesis and degradation of biological molecules. It will also discuss dysregulation of metabolic homeostasis that can lead to disorders such as diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.