Explain that metabolism in a living cell constitutes catabolic (breakdown) and anabolic (synthesis) processes which occur simultaneously.

Biochemistry for Chemists

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand the phenomenon of intermediary metabolism

2. Understand the pathways of carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism

3. Understand proteins

4. Understand enzymes

Intermediary metabolism

1.1 Explain that metabolism in a living cell constitutes catabolic (breakdown) and anabolic (synthesis) processes which occur simultaneously.

1.2 Explain intermediary metabolism as the interchange ability of derivatives (metabolites) of carbohydrates, proteins and fats (lipids) via reactions mediated by appropriate enzymes and coupled by relevant coenzymes/cofactors.

1.3 Illustrate and explain intermediary metabolism by simple schematic diagrams

1.4 Illustrate the central role of acetyl CoA in intermediary metabolism.

1.5 Describe how the energy for cellular metabolism is derived from the break down of acetyl COA

1.6 Explain how the energy from 1.5 above is captured in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which is reversible.

1.7 Describe ATP as the universal energy currency in biological systems.

1.8 Explain how energy released from the degradation of some substrates may be utilized in the formation of other cellular components

1.9 Explain that the sum total of breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins is a chain reaction involving transfer of reactions which lead to the final products of cellular respiration (CO2+ H2O) and ATP.

1.10 Describe the ATP cycle and explain how ATP forms the energy currency in biological system.

Nutrient metabolism

2.1 List the enzymes and products of digestion of carbohydrate.

2.2 Explain the term substrate level phosphorylation.

2.3 Define glycolysis as the pathway of breakdown of phosphorylated sugars to provide energy and lactate.

2.4 Describe the glycolytic pathway and the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl COA.

2.5 List the key enzymes of glycolysis.

2.6 Identify the steps that consume or yield energy in the glycolytic pathway.

2.7 Deduce the net energy yield of this glycolytic pathway.

2.8 Distinguish between aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis.

2.9 Describe the alternative pathway of glucose oxidation (pentose phosphate pathway/hexose monophosphate shunt)

2.10 State the biochemical importance of 2.9 above.

2.11 Describe glucogenesis, gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis and glycogenolysis.

2.12 Describe the Cori cycle.

2.13 Explain Pasteur effect.

2.14 Define oxidation of fatty acids.

4. Understand research problem

5. Understand formulation and validation of hypothesis

6. Understand variables in research work

7. Know sample and sampling techniques

8. Know how to review literature

9. Know the tools and techniques of data collection

10. Understand data analysis techniques.

11. Know how to report research findings.

1.1 Define research

1.2 Identify types of research

1.3 Explain the problems of research - conceptualization, control, generalization etc.