About Biochemistry
Subject Code
BP203T
Semester
Semester 2
Credits
4 Credits
Biochemistry (BP203T) deals with the chemical processes within and related to living organisms. It explains how our body turns food (Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins) into energy (ATP). This subject is the bridge between Biology and Chemistry, explaining the molecular basis of life processes like Metabolism and DNA replication. Understanding ‘metabolic pathways’ is key to understanding diseases like Diabetes and Atherosclerosis.
Key Learning Objectives
- Understand Biomolecules: Classify Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic acids.
- Master Metabolism: Explain pathways like Glycolysis, TCA Cycle, HMP Shunt, and Beta-Oxidation.
- Calculate Energy: Calculate the Bioenergetics (ATP yield) of various metabolic pathways.
- Explain Genetics: Describe the process of DNA Replication, Transcription, and Translation.
- Enzyme Kinetics: Understand the mechanism of enzyme action and factors affecting it.
Syllabus & Topics Covered
Unit 1: Biomolecules & Bioenergetics
- Biomolecules: Introduction, classification, chemical nature and biological role of carbohydrate, lipids, nucleic acids, amino acids and proteins.
- Bioenergetics: Concept of free energy, endergonic and exergonic reaction, Relationship between free energy, enthalpy and entropy; Redox potential.
- Energy rich compounds; classification; biological significances of ATP and cyclic AMP.
Unit 2: Carbohydrate Metabolism
- Glycolysis– Pathway, energetics and significance.
- Citric acid cycle- Pathway, energetics and significance.
- HMP shunt and its significance; Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
- Glycogen metabolism Pathways and glycogen storage diseases (GSD).
- Gluconeogenesis- Pathway and its significance.
- Hormonal regulation of blood glucose level and Diabetes mellitus.
- Biological oxidation: Electron transport chain (ETC) and its mechanism.
- Oxidative phosphorylation & its mechanism and substrate phosphorylation.
- Inhibitors ETC and oxidative phosphorylation/Uncouplers.
Unit 3: Lipid & Amino Acid Metabolism
- Lipid metabolism: Beta-Oxidation of saturated fatty acid (Palmitic acid).
- Formation and utilization of ketone bodies; ketoacidosis.
- De novo synthesis of fatty acids (Palmitic acid).
- Biological significance of cholesterol and conversion of cholesterol into bile acids, steroid hormone and vitamin D.
- Disorders of lipid metabolism: Hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, fatty liver and obesity.
- Amino acid metabolism: General reactions of amino acid metabolism: Transamination, deamination & decarboxylation, urea cycle and its disorders.
- Catabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine and their metabolic disorders (Phenyketonuria, Albinism, alkeptonuria, tyrosinemia).
- Synthesis and significance of biological substances; 5-HT, melatonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline.
- Catabolism of heme; hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice.
Unit 4: Nucleic Acid Metabolism & Genetic Information Transfer
- Biosynthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides.
- Catabolism of purine nucleotides and Hyperuricemia and Gout disease.
- Organization of mammalian genome.
- Structure of DNA and RNA and their functions.
- DNA replication (semi conservative model).
- Transcription or RNA synthesis.
- Genetic code, Translation or Protein synthesis and inhibitors.
Unit 5: Enzymes
- Introduction, properties, nomenclature and IUB classification of enzymes.
- Enzyme kinetics (Michaelis plot, Line Weaver Burke plot).
- Enzyme inhibitors with examples.
- Regulation of enzymes: enzyme induction and repression, allosteric enzymes regulation.
- Therapeutic and diagnostic applications of enzymes and isoenzymes.
- Coenzymes–Structure and biochemical functions.
How to Score High in Biochemistry
- 1
Cycles are Everything: Practice drawing the ‘Glycolysis’, ‘TCA’, and ‘Urea Cycle’ daily. You MUST know the enzymes and products at each step.
- 2
Count the ATP: Examiners love asking for the ‘Net ATP Calculation’ for glucose oxidation. Don’t forget NADH/FADH2 conversion.
- 3
Use Mnemonics: Use mnemonics for the TCA cycle intermediates (e.g., ‘Can I Keep Selling Sex For Money, Officer?’).
- 4
Clinical Connection: Always mention the disease related to the pathway (e.g., Insulin deficiency -> Diabetes in Glycolysis/TCA).
- 5
Flowcharts: Use flowcharts for ‘Beta-oxidation’ and ‘Protein Synthesis’.
Why it Matters for Career
Biochemistry is the foundation of Clinical Pathology and Diagnosis. Understanding enzymes helps in designing drugs (Enzyme Inhibitors). In diagnostics, markers like SGOT, SGPT (enzymes) are used to detect liver damage.
Exam Weightage
Metabolic Cycles (Glycolysis, Kreb’s, Urea, Beta-Oxidation) are 10-mark questions. If you draw the cycle correctly, you get full marks. Enzyme Kinetics is a sure 5-mark question.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to memorize molecular structures?
For major intermediates (Glucose, Pyruvate, Acetyl CoA), yes. But for complex cycles, focusing on the names and enzymes is often enough for theory, though structures fetch more marks.
Is Biochemistry same as Chemistry?
It’s Chemistry applied to Biology. It focuses less on reaction mechanisms (like Organic) and more on Pathways and Energy.
Which metabolism is most important?
Carbohydrate Metabolism (Unit 2) is the heart of biochemistry. If you know Glycolysis and TCA, you can understand everything else easily.