Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes and compounds, such as cellular makeup, that bring about life in organisms. This course will look at how these formed biomolecules interact and produce many of life's necessary processes. Also it will look at the most commonly used techniques in biochemistry research. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: recognize and describe the structure of the following basic biomolecules: nucleic acids, amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates; diagram how these basic biomolecules are used as building blocks for more complex biomolecules; differentiate between reactions that create biomolecules; describe how these biomolecules are used in specific cellular pathways and processes; analyze how feedback from one pathway influences other pathways; explain how energy is utilized by a cell; indicate how biomolecules and pathways are regulated; describe how enzymes play a key role in catalysis; assess which biochemical technique should be used to study a given biochemical problem. (Biology 401; See also: Chemistry 109)

Six case studies, case study keys, and instructor notes were developed for this grant project. A brief description of the studies is as follows:

Blood Clotting- This case study discusses the causes, symptoms, and possible treatments for blood clots. I chose this study because the story is about my brother who was misdiagnosed with a clot and almost died. I felt it was a study that included the importance of proper diagnosis in a medical situation.

Immunization-This case study includes a brief history of immunization, how vaccines work, what type of vaccines are available, what chemicals can be found in vaccines, and why people may choose not to be vaccinated. This study was written before the COVID-19 pandemic, but more information can be added to it concerning a possible vaccination for the COVID-19 virus.

The Stereochemistry of Ephedrine- This case study centers around the drug ephedrine. The study discusses how ephedrine binds to adrenergic receptors. Ephedrine is a chiral molecule which means it has stereoisomers. This study focuses on stereochemistry and guides students on how stereoisomers bind to specific receptors. The way an isomer binds to a receptor affects how a drug interacts with our body.

Understanding Solutions- This case study connects the concepts of concentration and molarity in chemistry terms to terms used in a medical field. Students will study the concepts of osmolarity, molarity, hyper and hypotonic solutions, and salt solutions. The study involves the story of a young nurse learning to understand the important terms and solutions in a medical situation.

Red Blood Cell Alloimmunization- This case study discusses the differences of blood types and blood type groups (ABO and Rh). The study focuses on the possibility of complications due to allergic reactions to red blood cell antigens (alloimmunization). Alloimmunization is especially harmful for patients needing blood transfusions or women and fetuses during pregnancy.

Radioactivity- This case study discusses thyroid hormones and how problems with these hormones can be treated with radiation. Students learn about the function of the thyroid and causes of hypo and hyperthyroidism. Students also learn about radioactive treatment, half lives of radiation, and types of radiation.

We are happy to welcome you to our second Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook, Biochemistry Free For All. Biochemistry is a relatively young science, but its rate of growth has been truly impressive. The rapid pace of discoveries, which shows no sign of slowing, is reflected in the steady increase in the size of biochemistry textbooks. Growing faster than the size of biochemistry books have been the skyrocketing costs of higher education and the even faster rising costs of college textbooks. These unfortunate realities have created a situation where the costs of going to college are beyond the means of increasing numbers of students.

Table of Contents
Basic Biology
Basic Chemistry
Water and Buffers
Amino Acids
Protein Structure
Structure and Function of Nucleic Acids
Structure and Function of Carbohydrates
Structure and Function of Lipids
Membranes: Basic Concepts
Membranes: Transport
Membranes: Other Considerations
Catalysis: Basic Principles
Catalysis: Control of Activity
Catalysis: Mechanisms
Blood Clotting
Energy: Basics
Electron Transport and Oxidative Phosphorylation
Photophosphorylation
Metabolism of Sugars
Metabolism of Polysaccharides
Citric Acid Cycle
Metabolism of Fats and Fatty Acids
Metabolism of Other Lipids
Metabolis of Amino Acids and the Urea Cycle
Metabolism of Nucleotides
Genes and Genomes
DNA Replication
DNA Repair
Transcription
RNA Processing
Translation
Regulation of Gene Expression
Cell Signaling
Basic Techniques
Point by Point: In the Beginning
Point by Point: Structure and Function
Point by Point: Membranes
Point by Point: Catalysis
Point by Point: Energy
Point by Point: Metabolism
Point by Point: Information Processing
Point by Point: Techniques

Table of Contents

1. Background
2. Overview of Laboratory Responsibilities Tentative Schedule
3. Objectives for Week 1
4. Concepts for Choosing and Expressing Mutants
5. Objectives for Week 2
6. Concepts for Protein Expression
7. Methods for Protein Expression
8. Concepts for SDS-PAGE
9. Methods for SDS-PAGE
10. Objectives for Week 3
11. Concepts for Protein Purification and Desalting
12. Methods for Protein Purification and Desalting
13. Microfluidizer Lysis Method
14. Objectives for Week 4
15. Methods for Protein Standard Curves and SDS-PAGE
16. Objectives for Weeks 5-9
17. Concepts for Enzyme Assays
18. Methods for Enzyme Assays

About the Book

Chemical Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory Using Genetic Code Expansion Manual

7.02 and 7.021 require simultaneous registration. Application of experimental techniques in biochemistry, microbiology, and cell biology. Emphasizes integrating factual knowledge with understanding the design of experiments and data analysis to prepare the students for research projects. Instruction and practice in written communication provided.

This course provides an introduction to the physical chemistry of biological systems. Topics include: connection of macroscopic thermodynamic properties to microscopic molecular properties using statistical mechanics, chemical potentials, equilibrium states, binding cooperativity, behavior of macromolecules in solution and at interfaces, and solvation. Example problems include protein structure, genomic analysis, single molecule biomechanics, and biomaterials.