COURSE OVERVIEW

Biochemistry is a discipline that studies the living organism at the molecular level, explaining the chemical processes within living organisms. It chiefly concerns with the structures, functions and interactions of biological macromolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids and metabolic processes and their regulation mechanism in human body. It utilizes the techniques of analytical, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry in determining the molecular basis of vital processes.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the course is to understand structure and function of biomolecules, the metabolism and bioenergetics in human body.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to demonstrate his knowledge and understanding on the:

1. Structural organization and structure-function relationships of proteins and consequences of deviation from normal;  

2. Basic and clinical aspects of enzymology and enzyme kinetics;

3. Digestion and assimilation of nutrients;

4. Concepts related to metabolism;

5. Anabolic and catabolic pathways, regulation and physiological roles of carbohydrates;

6. Anabolic and catabolic pathways, regulation and physiological roles of lipids, including triacylglycerols, phospholipids and cholesterol; Metabolism of plasm lipoproteins (CM, LDL, VLDL and HDL) and consequences of deviation from normal;

7. The correlation between energy molecules, reducing equivalents and pathways (Energy metabolism);

8. Catabolic pathways of proteins and amino acids and the relationship between defects in a pathway with certain diseases;

9. Integration of the various aspects of metabolism, and their regulatory pathways;

10. Metabolic characteristics in various tissues and cells, especially in liver and erythrocytes;

Biology, Organic Chemistry, Cell Biology

LEARNING RESOURCES

1.Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. Ed. Lehinger, Nelson and Cox. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York.

2.Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry.Denise R. Ferrier, Wolters Kluwer.

3.Biochemistry Ed. Lubert Stryer. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York.

4.Harper”s Biochemistry, Ed. R.K. Murray, D.K. Granner, P.A. Mayes and V.W. Rodwell. Appleton and Lange, Stamford, Connecticut.

5.Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations. Ed. Thomas M. Devlin, Wiley-Liss Publishers.

6.PowerPoint images are available through the class blackboard site

7.Individual meetings with the instructor are encouraged.

TEACHING-LEARNING METHODOLOGIES

Apart from the conventional black board teaching, other modes of teaching that will be adopted are power points, problem solving, and group projects.

Statements:

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