3. Weekly Schedule

The table below shows in which weeks and sessions specific modules will be taken up. 

Week No.

Topic

Topic Outcome

Time Frame (hr)

Learning Activities

Learning Resources

1

Orientation

 

Introduction to Biochemistry

 

 

 

Buffers

-    Definition of acid, bases, pH, pKa

-    Henderson-Hasselbalch equation

-    Titration curves

 

 

 

-   Relate biochemistry to the life sciences, particularly of biology and medicine

 

-   Explain how buffers work in biological systems

 

-   Solve problems on buffers

 

1.0

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

Synchronous through Zoom or other online meeting platform

 

Watch video/ Read module

 

 

 

Problem solving exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

 

Amino Acids and pI

-   Explain the physiological and chemical properties of amino acids especially their function as biological buffers

-   Classify the amino acids according to their structures and properties

 

1.5

Watch video/ read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

2

Proteins: Structure and Function

-  Peptide bond

-  Levels of protein organization (collagen, hemoglobin)

-  Functions (catalytic, immunological, structural, etc.)

-   Explain how the nature of amino acids affect protein structure

-   Discuss the different functions of proteins in relation to their structures

 

1.5

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

Proteins: Isolation and Characterization Techniques

-   Differentiate techniques in isolating and purifying proteins and their applications

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

3

Proteins: Enzymes

-  Classification

-  Kinetics (Michaelis-Menten, Lineweaver-Burk)

-  Inhibition (irreversible, competitive, noncompetitive, uncompetitive)

 

-   Discuss the concepts of enzyme catalysis

-   Differentiate types of inhibitors on enzyme catalysis

-   Solve problems involving enzyme kinetics

 

1.5

 

 

 

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

 

 

-  Factors affecting kinetics

-  Minerals, coenzymes, cofactors

-  Multienzyme complexes (pingpong, ordered, random, sequential)

-   Differentiate enzyme and multi-enzyme complexes

1.5

 

 

 

 

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

4

FIRST EXAM

Nucleic Acids: Structure, Properties and Function

-  Central dogma

-  RNA vs. DNA

-  Levels of structural organization

-   Identify the components of nucleic acids

-   Explain the structural differences between DNA and RNA

-   Describe DNA structure and how it is packed in the cell

1.5

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

Nucleic Acids: Replication of Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

-   Describe how a new copy of DNA is synthesized

1.5

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

5

Nucleic Acids: Transcription and Post-transcriptional modification

-   Describe how RNA is synthesized from DNA

-   Differentiate transcription in prokaryotes and in eukaryotes

-   Discuss post-transcriptional modifications in eukaryotes

1.5

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

Nucleic Acids: Translation in Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

 

 

 

 

Exceptions to the central dogma

-  Retroviruses and reverse transcription

-  Epigenetics

-   Describe how protein is synthesized from mRNA

-   Differentiate the mechanisms of translation in eukaryotes and prokaryotes

 

-   Explain how retroviruses utilize their genetic material

 

-   Differentiate epigenetic and genetic effects on gene expression

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

6

Nucleic Acids: Mutations and Repair

-   Types of mutations

-   Effects of physical, chemical, and viral agents

-   Protective and repair mechanisms

-   Assess the different mechanisms of mutation and how various agents of mutation exhibit their effects on the structure and function of nucleic acids

-   Explain the various protective mechanisms and repair systems in cells

1.5

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

Look into: Chem 41\BRCA-1scenario.pdf

 

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

Nucleic Acids: Isolation, characterization and manipulation methods

-  Basic recombinant DNA techniques

-  Current approaches to DNA manipulation and analysis

-   Explain the techniques used in recombinant DNA technology

-   Discuss current approaches to DNA manipulation and analysis

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch video/ Read module

 

Answer discussion questions

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

7

SECOND EXAM

Carbohydrates: Structure and Function

-   Relate the structures, properties, and reactivities to the functions of carbohydrates

-   Draw carbohydrate structures

1.5

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

Carbohydrates: Functions of polysaccharides

-   Differentiate the structure and function of polysaccharides

1.5

 

 

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

8

Lipids: Structure and Function

-   Relate the structures and properties to the functions of lipids

-   Draw lipid structures

-         

1.5

 

 

 

 

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

Biological Membranes and Membrane Transport

-   Relate membrane structure to its functions

-   Discuss transport mechanisms in membranes

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

9

Bioenergetics

-  Introduction to metabolism, stages, and regulation

-  Free energy, high energy compounds, and coupled reactions

-  Substrate level phosphorylation

-  Oxidative phosphorylation

-  Electron transport chain

-  Inhibitors of ATP chain

-  Other energy transducing reactions

-   Present an overview of metabolism

-   Apply the laws of thermodynamics in the maintenance of cellular functions

-   Discuss the methods of ATP synthesis and processes that affect it

-   Enumerate important biological reactions that use and produce energy

1.5

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

 

Carbohydrate Catabolism

-  Glycolysis

-  Kreb’s cycle

-  Glycogenolysis

-  Anaerobic respiration (ethanol fermentation, lactic acid fermentation)

-   Discuss cellular respiration as the major catabolic and energy-producing pathway of all cells

-   Illustrate various catabolic pathways for carbohydrates

1.5

 

 

 

 

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

10

Continuing on Carbohydrate Catabolism

 

1.5

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

-         

Lipid Catabolism

-  Lipolysis

-  β-oxidation

-   Discuss the role of lipids as alternative sources of energy and the different reactions in the

1.0

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

11

Amino Acid Catabolism

-  Transamination, oxidative deamination, direct deamination

-  Amino acid catabolism

-  Nitrogenous base catabolism

-  Urea cycle

 

Nucleic Acid Catabolism

-   Purine and Pyrimidine Catabolism

-   Discuss the role of amino acids as primary or alternative sources of energy

-   Trace the fates of the amino group and carbon skeleton of amino acids

-   Calculate and compare the ATP generated from various sources

 

-   Explain nucleic acid catabolism

2.0

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

THIRD EXAM

Carbohydrate Anabolism

-  Gluconeogenesis

-  Glycogenesis and regulatory enzymes

-  Pentose phosphate pathway

-   Discuss the pathways leading to the synthesis of glucans and glucose

1.5

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

12

Lipid Anabolism

-  Biosynthesis of fatty acids

-  Lipogenesis

-  Ketogenesis

-  Biosynthesis of cholesterol and eicosanoids

-  Lipid transport: HDL, LDL, VLDL, chylomicrons

-   Present the pathways that cells undergo in order to synthesize fatty acids

-   Discuss the pathways that liver cells undergo to compensate for the decrease in dietary sources of energy 

-   Explain the reactions leading to cholesterol synthesis and how these processes are regulated

1.5

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

Nitrogen Anabolism

-  Biosynthesis of amino acids

-  De novo and salvage pathways of nitrogenous bases

-   Summarize the precursors and pathways leading to the synthesis of amino acids and nucleotides

1.5

 

 

 

 

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

13

Integration

-  Digestion and Absorption of Foodstuffs

-  Metabolic Patterns in Animals (e.g. plasma levels of glucose, fatty acids and ketone bodies)

-  Integration and Regulation of Metabolic Pathways

-   Correlate the various metabolic pathways

-   Compare the levels of metabolites during the different stages of metabolism

-   Differentiate metabolic needs of various organ systems

-   Discuss how various metabolic pathways are regulated

3.0

 

 

 

 

Watch video/ Read module

 

Solve problems and exercises

 

 

-        Online Videos/ References

-        Lectures

-        Modules

-        Textbooks

 

FOURTH EXAM

14

FINAL EXAM

You can also download this table here.