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Upper-Level Introductory Biochemistry (BCHM 355/455 Roosevelt University)

Upper-Level Introductory Biochemistry (BCHM 355/455 Roosevelt University)

Last updated

Jan 17, 2025
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- Roosevelt University
- Front Matter

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Front Matter
Biochemical processes sustain life by driving molecular interactions, enzyme activity, and metabolic pathways. Water chemistry, amino acids, and protein structure determine biological function, while enzyme catalysis and thermodynamics regulate energy flow. Metabolic pathways and allosteric control maintain cellular balance.
1: Molecules of Life
The essential elements of life, emphasizing matter and its atomic structure. It highlights the four critical classes of biological macromolecules—carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids—as key components of cells that perform vital functions and constitute most cell mass. The text underscores the importance of chemical and physical foundations in understanding biological processes.
2: Chemistry of Water
Water is vital in biochemistry, affecting solubility, pH, and molecular interactions. Its polarity enables hydrogen bonding, shaping solvent properties, ice formation, and protein folding. Weak interactions, including ionic and van der Waals forces, stabilize biomolecules. Water’s ionization regulates pH, with buffers maintaining physiological balance. The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation links pH, pKa, and acid-base dynamics, essential for biochemical reactions.
3: Amino Acids and Peptides
Amino acids serve as the building blocks of proteins, with their structure and properties determining biological function. Each amino acid contains an α-carbon, a functional side chain, and distinct stereochemistry. Side-chain interactions, including hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions, and disulfide bonds in cysteine, contribute to protein stability. Ionization states vary with pH, governed by pKa values and the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.
4: Proteins- Structure and Folding
Proteins drive cellular functions, with structure determining function. Primary structure consists of amino acid sequences linked by peptide bonds. Secondary structures form via hydrogen bonding, while tertiary structure results from hydrophobic forces, disulfide bonds, and salt bridges. Quaternary structure involves multimeric assemblies. Protein folding, aided by chaperonins and AI tools like AlphaFold, reveals insights into stability and disease-related misfolding.
5: Protein Purification
Protein purification isolates proteins for study using cell disruption, centrifugation, dialysis, chromatography, and electrophoresis. Centrifugation separates cellular components, while chromatography techniques: gel filtration, ion exchange, and affinity chromatography, enhance specificity. Electrophoresis sorts proteins by size and charge. Histidine tagging aids recombinant protein purification, and ELISAs quantify protein concentration.
6: Enzyme Thermodynamics
Living cells maintain order despite the natural tendency toward disorder, requiring continuous energy input. Thermodynamics governs biochemical reactions, distinguishing endergonic reactions, which require energy, from exergonic reactions, which occur spontaneously. Gibbs free energy (ΔG) determines reaction spontaneity, while biological systems prevent equilibrium through constant energy use. Enzymes influence reaction rates but do not alter equilibrium, enabling efficient metabolism.
7: Enzyme Kinetics
Enzymes speed up biochemical reactions by lowering activation energy, making catalysis essential for life. Enzyme kinetics and reaction mechanisms explain how enzymes function, while cofactors enhance their activity. Binding interactions influence protein function, and the Michaelis-Menten equation models enzyme behavior. Ribozymes and enzyme inhibitors regulate catalytic efficiency.
8: Enzyme Regulation
Enzymes catalyze reactions by creating favorable electronic environments, with serine proteases serving as key examples. A diverse range of reaction mechanisms allows enzymes to perform specific functions while maintaining regulatory control. Activation and inactivation processes enable enzymes to adjust to changing conditions, preserving homeostasis and ensuring proper cellular function.
9: Carbohydrates
10: Nucleic Acids
11: Lipids
12: Membranes and Membrane Proteins
13: Biochemistry of Our Senses
Back Matter

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