BIOL 440 / CHEM 440 - Biochemistry I (Fall 2011)

(updated 26-Sept-2011)

Lectures: 11:00-11:50 am, MWF in 201 Hughes (CRN 10319).
Instructor: Jeff D Cronk E-mail: cronk@gonzaga.edu Phone: 313-6627
Office: Hughes 234. Office Hours: (Fall 2011) MWF noon -1 pm; M 3:30-4:30PM; also by appt.
Text: Fundamentals of Biochemistry (3rd edition) Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt ("Voet" or "VVP3e")
Course website: http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu/faculty/cronk/CHEM440-index.html
Course synopsis: In this course, we explore the chemical basis of living systems and our goal is to gain an understanding of life from the point of view of molecular structure, thermodynamics, and kinetics. We will begin with an introduction to the macromolecules of biological systems and their building blocks, emphasizing proteins and amino acids. We then take up the structural foundations of protein function, particularly enzymatic catalysis and regulation. Finally, we begin to examine the central pathways of metabolism, which illustrate energetic, mechanistic, and regulatory principles.

Additional Links: [ Blog ] [ Biochemistry dictionary ] [ GenChem Resources ] [ NCBI ] [ PDB ]
  Class schedule
(Tentative) 		MONDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY
 

WEEK 1
31 August, 2 September
( Lectures 1, 2 )

  

31 August
Foundations
CHAPTER 1

2 September
Water
CHAPTER 2
WEEK 2
7, 9 September
( Lectures 3, 4 ) 		5 September
GU Labor Day

7 September
Aqueous chemistry
CHAPTERS 2, 3

9 September
Nucleic acids
CHAPTER 3

WEEK 3
12, 14, 16 September
( Lectures 5, 6, 7 ) 		12 September
Amino acids
CHAPTER 4		 14 September
Mass of the Holy Sprit 		16 September
Protein primary structure
CHAPTER 5
WEEK 4
19, 21, 23 September
( Lecture 8, 9 ) 		19 September
Protein primary structure
CHAPTER 5 		21 September
Protein primary structure
CHAPTER 5

23 September
EXAM 1
WEEK 5
26, 28, 30 September
( Lectures 9, 10, 11 ) 		26 September
Protein structure
CHAPTER 6		 28 September
Protein structure
CHAPTER 6 		30 September
Stability & folding
CHAPTER 6
WEEK 6
3, 5, 7 October
( Lectures 12, 13, 14 ) 		3 October
Protein function
CHAPTER 7		 5 October
Protein function
CHAPTER 7 		7 October
Carbohydrates and lipids
CHAPTERS 8, 9
WEEK 7
10, 12, 14 October
( Lectures 15, 16, 17 ) 		10 October
Lipids & membranes
CHAPTER 9		 12 October
Lipids & membranes
CHAPTER 9		 14 October
Membrane transport
CHAPTER 10
WEEK 8
19, 21 October
( Lecture 18 ) 		17 October
Founder's Day Holiday		 19 October
Enzyme mechanism
CHAPTER 11		 21 October
EXAM 2
  MONDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY
WEEK 9
24, 26, 28 October
( Lectures 19, 20, 21 ) 		19 October
Enzyme mechanism
CHAPTER 11		 26 October
Enzyme kinetics
CHAPTER 12		 28 October
Enzyme kinetics
CHAPTER 12
WEEK 10
31 October; 2, 4 November
( Lectures 22, 23, 24 ) 		31 October
Enzyme inhibition
CHAPTER 12		 2 November
Enzyme regulation
CHAPTER 13

4 November
Enzyme regulation
CHAPTER 13
WEEK 11
7, 9, 11 November
( Lectures 25, 26 ) 		7 November
Biochemical signaling
CHAPTER 13		 9 November
Metabolism intro
CHAPTER 14		 11 November
Murdock Conference
WEEK 12
14, 16 November
( Lectures 27, 28 )		 14 November
Metabolism intro
CHAPTER 14		 16 November
Glucose catabolism
CHAPTER 15		 18 November
EXAM 3
WEEK 13
21 November
( Lecture 29 )
 21 November
Glycolytic pathway
CHAPTER 15		 23-25 November
Thanksgiving Holiday
WEEK 14
28, 30 November; 2 Dec.
( Lectures 30, 31, 32 ) 		22 November
Control of glycolysis
CHAPTER 15		 30 November
Citric acid cycle
CHAPTER 17		 2 December
Bioenergetic principles
CHAPTER 18
WEEK 15
5, 7, 9 December
( Lectures 33, 34, 35 )

5 December
Electron transport chain
CHAPTER 18

 7 December
Oxidative phosphorylation
CHAPTER 18		 9 December
Photosynthesis
CHAPTER 19
FINAL EXAM (Fall 2011) - Wednesday 14 December, 8 - 10 AM.
 

Grading is based on an absolute scale, with a course total of 600 points. Scores in three in-class exams and a comprehensive final exam are the principal means of accumulating points. Points can be earned in outside of class activities as well (e.g. homework) at instructor discretion. Instructor has the right to deduct points for missed exams, late work, disruptive classroom behavior, or lack of effort or participation. Grades are assigned according to percentage of possible points earned. It is the responsibility of every student to be familiar with and abide by GU's Academic Honesty Policy

Missed exams: Make-up exams are permitted only for students with a legitimate, urgent, verifiable excuse who have contacted the instructor prior to the exam. Scheduling and administration of make-up exams are solely at the discretion of the instructor.

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