Biochemistry Fundamentals

• This biochemistry course is titled "Introduction to Biochemistry and the Biological Basis of Disease".
• Dr. Sinéad Kerins is the instructor, located in 3.29 Western Gateway Building.
• Contact Dr. Kerins at [email protected].
• "Biology: A Global Approach, 12th Ed" by Campbell, Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky, and Reece is an essential textbook.

Course Content

• Amino acids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids are key topics in this course.
• Core biological processes like DNA replication, RNA synthesis (transcription) and protein synthesis (translation) will be covered.
• The course also covers mutations, repair mechanisms, diseases, and production of fusion proteins.

Lecture Schedule (2024-2025)

• BC1001/L lectures occur Tuesdays 12:00-13:00, Wednesdays 13:00-14:00, and Thursdays 10:00-11:00 in BOOLE_4.
• Lectures are during weeks 30-35.

Assessment

• The course is graded out of 100 total marks.
• Continuous assessment accounts for 20 marks.
• A formal written examination is worth 80 marks.
• A passing grade requires 40%.

Continuous Assessment Details

• The continuous assessment consists of 20 multiple choice questions, each with 5 possible answers.
• There will be negative marking.
• Correct answers earn +5 marks.
• Incorrect answers deduct -1 mark.
• Unanswered questions receive 0 marks.
• The exam is 25 minutes long.
• Available on Canvas Online 25th March at 20.00.

Formal Assessment Details

• The formal assessment consists of 70 multiple choice questions with 5 options each.
• Positive marking of +5 for correct answers and negative marking of -1 for incorrect answers.
• Unanswered questions get 0 marks.
• The exam is 90 minutes long.
• The Student Records and Examinations Office will publish the summer examination timetables.

MCQ Examination Format

• EDPAC answer sheets must be filled out in a particular format.
• 70 total questions are numbered 1-70.

Macromolecules

• Large biological molecules include polysaccharides (carbohydrates), proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.
• Polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids form through the stepwise polymerization of smaller monomers, i.e., building-block molecules.
• Polymers are long molecules of many linked monomers.

Proteins - Monomers and Polymers

• Amino acids are the monomers that form proteins.
• Proteins are the polymers.
• Polypeptides fold into 3D structures.
• Proteins are composed of 20 different amino acids.
• The average protein is 200 amino acids long.

Polysaccharides - Monomers and Polymers

• Monosaccharides are the monomers.
• Polysaccharides are the polymers.
• Glycogen functions as a storage polysaccharide in vertebrates.

Glycogen

• Glycogen chains consists of a few hundred to a few thousand monosaccharides.

Nucleic Acids - Monomers and Polymers

• Nucleotides are the monomers.
• Nucleic acids are the polymers.
• Nucleotides contain a nitrogen-containing base, a 5-carbon sugar, and a phosphate group.

Lipids

• Lipids are not polymers, but macromolecules due to their high molecular weight.
• Fatty acids are components of lipid molecules.
• Lipids molecules are not linked to form a chain.
• Lipids are not polymers.
• Phospholipids have two fatty acids plus a phosphate group attached to glycerol.

Polymerization

• Condensation (or dehydration) reactions happen when two monomers bond via the loss of a water molecule.

Breakdown of Polymers

• Polymers disassemble into monomers via hydrolysis.
• Hydrolysis involves addition of a water molecule.

Functional Groups and Chemical Bonding

• Molecular formation/function hinges on chemical bonding between atoms.
• Limited types of chemical groups dictate the function of biological molecules.

Hydrocarbons

• Hydrocarbons are organic chemicals with only H and C atoms.
• Most biomolecules are hydrocarbons with a functional group substituted for a hydrogen atom.
• Hydrocarbons are not water-soluble, and are hydrophobic.

Key Functional Groups

• Functional groups modify the properties of hydrocarbon chains, and provide distinct chemical characteristics like solubility.
• Seven key functional groups exists.

Hydroxl Group

• Hydroxyl groups are polar due to electronegativity.
• Can form hydrogen bonds with molecules like water.

Carbonyl Group

• Key functional group giving rise to aldoses and ketoses which can be structural isomers with different properties.

Carboxyl Group

• The carboxyl groups have acidic properties due to the polar covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen.

Amino Group

• Amino group consists of nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms and the carbon skeleton.
• Acts as a base and can pick up an H+ from a solution.

Sulfhydryl Group

• Consists of a sulfur atom bonded to an atom of hydrogen.
• Two sulfhydryl groups can react, forming a bond to help stabilize protein structure.

Phosphate Group

• A phosphorus atom is bonded to four oxygen atoms.
• Contributes negative charge to the molecule.

Methyl Group

• Consists of a carbon bonded to three hydrogen atoms.
• Affects the expression of genes.

Polyfunctional Biomolecules

• Biomolecules contain two or more kinds of functional groups.
• Amino acids have at least an amino group and carboxyl group.
• Glucose has several OH groups and a carbonyl group, which makes it an aldose.