BIBC 102: Metabolic Biochemistry
UC San Diego Academy 2015
Welcome to BIBC 102 Metabolic Biochemistry!
Instructor and mentors
Instructor: Jenny Herndon
Teaching assistant: Olga (Olia) Gaideranko
Mentors: Jeremy Aung, JD Gregerson, Paula Pham, H I M Saadi
Course description
Metabolism refers to the myriad of chemical reactions occurring in a living system. In our study of metabolic biochemistry, we will learn how the energy that drives these reactions is harnessed and utilized at the cellular and molecular level. We start by looking in detail at protein structure and the action of enzymes. Enzymes are the key players in metabolic pathways, and we will see how an understanding of their kinetics, chemical mechanisms and regulation is fundamental to understanding metabolism. The majority of the course will focus on the specific pathways in which biological molecules are either broken down (catabolism) or new biological molecules are synthesized (anabolism). We will try to understand how energy flows in the cell, such as in the breakdown of glucose to produce ATP, and how this energy can be utilized to construct new molecules, as in the synthesis of fatty acids from acetyl-CoA. Finally, we will discuss how these different pathways are regulated at the organismal level by the hormones glucagon and insulin, how these pathways maintain their exquisite homeostasis, and how unbalance can contribute to a disease state.
Textbook and other course materials
Biochemistry: Concepts and Connections, Dean R. Appling and Spencer J. Anthony-Cahill, Pearson, 1st edition, 2016.
All textbooks and course materials will be provided to the students free of charge on the opening day (August 2, 2015).
Schedule
Lecture: MTThF 9am-10:20am in MAE 584
Discussion: TTh 10:30am-11:20am MAE 584
Midterms: Wed August 10th 10:00am-11:50pm and Wed August 26th 10:00am-11:50pm
Final Exam: Sat Sept 5th 8:30am-10:30am
Review Materials
