Fundamentals of Biochemistry

Paper Code: 
BTE 101
Credits: 
03
Contact Hours: 
45
Objective: 

Objective: This paper will enable students to understand -

  • The nature of biological material and hierarchy of molecular organization of cells
  • The thermodynamic principles underlying biochemical reactions
  • The function of macromolecules
  • The reaction mechanism and regulation of enzyme activity

 

Unit I: 
Nature of Biomolecules and Thermodynamics

Cell:  Chemical components, Molecular Hierarchy, Types of interactions in molecular and supramolecular complexes, Laws of thermodynamics, Nature of biochemical reactions and DG values, Reversible and Irreversible reactions,Water and the aqueous environment, Buffers: Concept of pH, pK, acids, bases

Unit II: 
Carbohydrates

Structure of monosaccharide (trioses, pentoses & hexoses), disaccharides (sucrose, maltose, lactose), polysaccharides (starch, glycogen, cellulose, peptidoglycan)

Fundamental Properties: Stereoisomerism and mutarotation

Unit III: 
Nucleic Acids & Proteins

Biochemical structure of nucleic acid

Biological functions of Nucleic Acids. The central Dogma and its exceptions

Structure of essential and non-essential amino acids

Peptide bond, structural hierarchy of protein

Protein classification on the basis of structure and function                                           

Biological functions of proteins

Unit IV: 
Lipids

Structure and nomenclature of fatty acids

Classification of lipids (triacylglycerols, phospholipids, sphingolipids, sterols)

Membrane lipids

Biological functions of lipids

Unit V: 
Enzymes

Classification and nomenclature of enzymes                                                             Mechanism of enzyme action, Michaelis- Menton kinetics, Coenzymes, Enzyme inhibition, Allosteric enzymes, Regulation of enzyme activity

ESSENTIAL READINGS: 

 1. Biochemistry, D.Voet and J.G.Voet, John Wiley & Sons, 2nd Edition, 1995.
2.    Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, Nelson and Cox, 3rd Edition, 1999.
3.    Principles and Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Edited by Keith Wilson and John Walker, Cambridge University Press, 6th Edition, 2007.
4.    Biochemistry and Molecular Biology by W.H. Elliot and Daphne C. Elliot, Oxford University Press, 3rd Edition, 2005.
5.    Biochemistry, J. David Rawn, Panima Publishing Corporation, 1st Indian Reprint, 2004.

REFERENCES: 

1.  Physical Biochemistry, D Friefelder, W.H. Freeman & Company, 17th Reprint, 1999.
2.    Understanding Chemistry, CNR Rao, Universities Press, Hyderabad 1999.
3.    A Biologist's Guide to Principles and Techniques of Practical Biochemistry, K.Wilson & KH Goulding, ELBS Edition 1986.
4.    Essentials of Molecular Biology, David Friefelder, Jones and Barllett Publications,7th Reprint, 2001.
5.    Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology, J.Kendrew, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.
6.    Instant Notes- Biochemistry by B.D. Hames and N.M. Hooper, Viva Books Pvt, Ltd., 1st Indian Edition, 2001.

Academic Year: 
2017-2018
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