Chemistry & Physics

Instructor: Len Holmes

Semester: Spring

Description

Time: To be announced. At the first class meeting, we will determine a time period that satisfies all students. Our goal is to serve students better by avoiding scheduling conflicts. Please see Len Holmes with any questions that you may have.

Text: Biochemistry by Voet & Voet (1995) and selected outside readings.

Course Content: As an intregral part of the Chemistry, Molecular Biotechnology program, Biochemistry II provides a continuation and more thorough treatment of biochemical principles considered in Biochemistry I. The course content will be in four major areas:

1. Mechanisms of enzyme catalyzed reactions. The nature of biological catalysis will be

considered by discussing the underlying principles of chemical catalysis followed by a detailed

examination of catalytic mechanisms of several of the best characterized enzymes.

2. Principles of bioenergetics and metabolism. Designed to augment metabolic studies in

Biochemistry I, this portion of the course will provide a more comprehensive and detailed

overview of metabolic coordination, metabolic control and signal transduction. The dynamics of

energy, biosynthesis, and the utilization of precursors relating to carbohydrate, lipid, nitrogenous

compounds and nucleotide metabolism will be examined.

3. Biological membranes and transport. The compositions and structures of biological

membranes and related substances will be examined to learn about controlling the flux of

nutrients, waste products and ions into and out of the cell.

4. Regulation of gene expression. Control of transcription in prokaryotes is examined.

Discussion of eukaryote control will be considered as a part of the study of the structure and

organization of the eukaryote chromosome.