Post Graduate in Biochemistry

This paper presents the study of identification and quantitative determination of
the substances, studies of their structure, determining how they are synthesized
metabolized and degraded in organisms, and elucidating their role in the operation of the
organism.
Objective: On the successful completion of the course the students will get an overall
understanding of structure of atoms, molecules and chemical bonds, enzyme kinetics, bio
polymers and metabolic reactions in a living system.
Goal: This paper in biochemistry has been designed to provide the student with a firm
foundation in the biochemical aspects of cellular functions which forms a base for their
future research.
UNIT I
Structure of atoms, molecules and chemical bonds; Principles of physical chemistry:
Thermodynamics, kinetics, dissociation and association constants: Enzymes and
coenzymes; Respiration and photosynthesis. Chemical foundations of Biology- pH, pK,
acids, bases and buffers, Henderson - Hasselbach equation, biological buffer solutions.
Energy metabolism (concept of free energy); Thermodynamic principles in biology;
energy rich bonds; weak interactions; coupled reactions and oxidative phosphorylation;
group transfer; biological energy transducers; bioenergetics.
UNIT II
Polysaccharides: classification, occurrence, isolation, purification, properties and
biological reactions. Structural features of homoglycans, heteroglycans and complex
carbohydrates.
Proteins: Amino acids and peptides-classification, chemical reactions and physical
properties. Peptide bond, Primary structure of proteins, structural comparison at
secondary and tertiary levels, conformation of proteins and polypeptides (secondary,
tertiary, quaternary and domain structure)
Lipids: Classification, structure and functions. Triglycerides; Phospholipids; Steroids and
terpenes. Glycolipids and lipoproteins-structure and function. Role of lipids in
biomembranes.
Nucleic acids: Structure of double stranded DNA (B, A, C, D, T and Z DNA). The
biological significance of double strandedness, sequence dependent variation in the shape
of DNA. Physical properties of double stranded DNA Types of RNAs and their
biological significance. DNA bending, DNA supercoiling.
UNIT III
Enzyme kinetics (negative and positive cooperativity); Regulation of enzymatic activity;
kinetics and thermodynamic analysis, effects of organic solvents on enzyme catalysis and
structural consequences. Active sites; Coenzymes: activators and inhibitors, isoenymes,
allosteric enzymes; Ribozyme and Abzyme: structure and drug targets (enzymes and
receptors); Prodrug delivery using enzymes; Bioluminescence
UNITIV
Covalent and Noncovalent interactions - Van der Waals, Electrostatic, Hydrogen bonding
and hydrophobic interactions.
Silk fibroin, coiled coils, collagen triple helix and hemoglobin. Denaturation and
renaturation of proteins. Lysozyme- structure, enzymic activity, mechanism of lysozyme
action.
UNIT V
Glycolysis and TCA cycle; Glycogen breakdown and synthesis; Gluconogenesis;
interconversion of hexoses and pentoses: Co-ordinated control of metabolism;
Biosynthesis of purines and pyrimidines; Oxidation of lipids; Biosynthesis of fatty acids;
Triglycerides; Phospholipids; Sterols.