UNIVERSITY OF GUAM

COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE NUMBER: BI/CH 419 & BI/CH 419L COLLEGE(OR SPONSORING UNIT): CAS/NATURAL SCIENCES

COURSE TITLE: BIOCHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY CREDIT HOURS: 3/1

DATE OF FINAL APPROVAL: SEMESTER OFFERED: SP/ODD

Course counts as General Education Requirement

Ö Part of Chemistry major program

Ö Elective (for biology and physical science majors)

1. CATALOG DESCRIPTION

This course covers the principles of protein chemistry and enzyme nomenclature, catalysis, kinetics, and control. It includes three hours of lecture weekly. The lab, BI/CH419L, MUST be taken concurrently. Prerequisite: CH 310a, CH 311, CH 310b and CH 312 or concurrent enrollment, BI 157-157L and BI 158-158L or equivalent. Corequisite: BI/CH 419L

BI/CH419L is the laboratory portion of BI/CH419 and MUST be taken concurrently. The course consists of one three- hour laboratory per week. Corequisite: BI/CH419

2. COURSE CONTENT

A. Lecture:

1. A Historical Review

2. Chemical Elements and Biogeochemical Cycles

3. Water as the Solvent of Life.

4. Some Basic Aspects of the Chemistry Life.

5. Cells: Biological Units of Molecular Organization.

6. Proteins I: Amino Acid Components and Structural Features.

7. Proteins II: Determination of Amino Acid Sequences.

8. Proteins III: Structure and Function.

9. Protein IV: Enzymes.

10. B-Vitamins and Coenzymes.

11. Carbohydrates.

12. Lipids and Membranes.

13. Nucleic Acids.

14. Energy and Life.

15. Anaerobic Synthesis of ATP (Glycolysis) and Pentose Phosphate Pathway.

16. Aerobic Synthesis of ATP I: Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle.

17. Aerobic Synthesis of ATP II: Electron Transport and Oxidative Phosphorylation.

B. Laboratory Experiments (Handouts)

1. General Laboratory Procedures. (Record Keeping, Graphs and Numerical Results, Errors, Accuracy and Precision, Concentrations and Dilutions, Laboratory Safety)

2. Preparation of a Buffer; Measurement of pH.

3. Titration of an Unknown Amino Acid; Formal Titration.

4. Absorption Spectrum of Riboflavin.

5. Spectrophometric Methods for the Determination of Proteins.

6. Enzyme Assays and Enzyme Units: Amylase.

7. Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Sucrose.

8. Presentations of special biochemical topics by students.

3. RATIONALE FOR THE COURSE

This is an introductory course in biochemistry. It is intended for students in any field of science or engineering who want a one-semester introduction to biochemistry but who do not intend to be a biochemistry majors. Attempts will be made to make biochemistry as clear and interesting as possible and to familiarize all science students with the major aspects of biochemistry. The students will gain practical experience in basic laboratory techniques and enzyme kinetics.

4. SKILLS AND BACKGROUND REQUIRED OR EXPECTED

Prerequisites are CH 310a, CH 311, CH 310b and CH 312 or concurrent enrollment.

5. TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AND ANTICIPATED CLASS SIZE

Three one-hour lectures and a three-hour laboratory per week. Material included in the text will be supplemented with assigned problems in enzyme kinetics, and in the preparation of buffer solutions. Anticipated class size: 8-12 students.

6. ADDITIONAL COURSE DESCRIPTORS

None.

7. LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR STUDENTS

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

-prepare buffer solutions.

-have a basic knowledge in biochemicals, such amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, lipids, enzymes, proteins and nuclein acid.

-have a modern understanding in enzyme kinetics, anaerobic and aerobic synthesis of ATP, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.

8. METHODS OF EVALUATION

Weekly quizzes and/or problem set (20%), four exams including a final exam (55%) and laboratory reports (25%).

9. REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR STUDY GUIDES

Required text: Frank B. Armstrong. Biochemistry, Oxford University Press, 1989.

Recommended Laboratory Reference Book: Biochemical Techniques for Biochemistry Laboratory. J.F. Robyt and B.J. White. Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, 1987. Handouts for selected lab experiments.

10. SUBSEQUENT COURSES

This course will prepare students for undergraduate courses in biochemistry, cellular physiology, and other science courses in medical science.

THE CALENDAR OF ASSIGNMENTS, ATTENDANCE AND GRADING POLICIES ARE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE COURSE SYLLABUS.