Biochemistry
of the Cell

Biochemists used to debate the nature of proteins: their composition, structure, and function. Now we know many extraordinary details of how proteins function: for example, how they help our bodies acquire nutrients from food, use those nutrients for fuel, and carry oxygen to our tissues. In particular, researchers have revealed the intricacies of how a protein’s structure is related to its function. In this course we will employ an evolutionary perspective as we discuss major topics such as amino acids, proteins and protein structure, bioenergetics, enzymes and enzyme function. We will also study major metabolic pathways and their key control points. Our goals are for you to develop a thorough understanding of how enzymes work and to be familiar with key metabolic pathways and how they are controlled.

The course will include class discussions and presentations based on the text and primary literature, homework assignments, a 5-page paper and exams (including a final exam).

You are expected to attend all lectures and to come to class prepared to discuss all reading assignments.

There will be two take-home exams during the semester, weekly homework assignments, and a final exam. The paper and take-home exams are worth 100 points each, the homework 20 points each, and the final exam is worth 100 points. The grade received in the course will be the ratio of points earned over points possible: 90% & above = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D. Diligent and conscientious participation in class and on assignments will boost borderline grades to the higher grade.

If extenuating circumstances will prevent you from taking an exam notify me as soon as possible so that we can make alternative arrangements for administering the exam.

Co-requisite: Laboratory in Biochemical Techniques, NSC425

Date	Week	Topic	Text chapter
9/5	0	Intro class: course themes and goals	1
9/11	1	Energy and metabolism – Gibbs free energy; the unity of life; Carl Woese & Archaea	1
9/18	2	Hydrophobic effect & acid-base chemistry	2
9/25	3	Hemoglobin – proteins in action	4
10/2	4	Enzymes are catalysts – chymotrypsin is an example; discuss paper topics (your papers should have a claim)	6
		Take-home exam 1 – due Monday 10/8
10/9	5	Enzyme kinetics & Michaelis-Menten equation	7
10/16	6	Membrane proteins – structure & function are related	8
10/23	7	Hendricks Days – no class Tuesday
		Free energy & coupled reactions	9
10/30	8	Glycolysis – a metabolic pathway	10
11/6	9	Catch-up; paper drafts/outlines due 11/8
11/13	10	The central role of the Citric Acid Cycle	11
		Take-home exam 2 – Due Monday 11/19
11/20	11	Electron transport chain, Peter Mitchell & chemiosmosis	12
		Thanksgiving – no class Thursday
11/27	12	Lipid metabolism occurs through β-oxidation	14
12/4	13	Nitrogen metabolism – “nitrogen fixation”	15
12/11	14	Regulation of metabolism - integrating pieces of information	16
12/13		Reading day
12/14		Reading day
12/15		Exam day
12/17		Exam day
12/18		Exam day

http://cs.marlboro.edu/ courses/ fall2007/biochemistry/ syllabus
last modified Tuesday September 4 2007 9:19 pm EDT