Spring - 4 Credits

Biochemistry attempts to explain, in chemical terms, how thousands of inanimate molecules contained within organisms interact with each other to confer the remarkable properties of living organisms. This course will examine the chemical nature of the most important biomolecules, how cells catalyze the various chemical transformations, extract energy to accomplish work, assemble complex molecules from simpler sub units, and store and pass on information for precise self-replication. Topics include the structure and function of proteins, enzyme catalysis, metabolism, and the replication and expression of genes. Students are also required to make presentations to the class on biochemical correlates of disease.