Biochemistry

BP202T : Biochemistry (Theory)

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this course are to:

1. Know about enzymology and various tests in clinical chemistry

2. Understand the biochemical pathways and clinical relevance of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism.

3. Describe energetics and biological oxidation.

4. Explain aminoacid and protein metabolism

5. Understand Nucleic acid metabolism and genetic information.

Course Outcomes (CO):

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

CO1 - Explain the principles ofenzymology and various tests in clinical chemistry

CO2 - Describe the classification, the classification, structure, and functions of major

biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, and vitamins.

CO3 - Explain the principles of bioenergetics, biological oxidation, and the overview of metabolic pathways of biomolecules, along with their clinical significance.

CO4 - Understand metabolism of lipid and its significance.

CO5 - Understand metabolism of proteins & its significance and monitoring of metabolic and organ-specific disorders.

Detailed Syllabus:

Unit I 

Enzymology

a. Introduction, properties, nomenclature, and IUB classification of enzymes and coenzymes. Enzyme kinetics (Michaelis plot, Lineweaver–Burk plot). Enzyme inhibitors with examples. Regulation of enzymes: enzyme induction and repression, allosteric enzyme regulation.

Therapeutic and diagnostic application of enzymes and isoenzymes. Factors affecting enzyme activity. Digestion, absorption function of dietary Macro and Micronutrients, including Vitamins and Minerals, Biochemical functions of vitamins and associated diseases.

b. Clinical Chemistry: Liver function tests (routinely performed tests based on liver function). Renal function tests (routinely performed tests based on kidney function, ELISA test)

Unit II

a. Introduction about biomolecules – Introduction of carbohydrate, lipids, nucleic acids, amino acids and proteins.

b. Bioenergetics: Concept of free energy; relationship between free energy, enthalpy, and entropy; redox potential; energy-rich compounds (ATP, GTP, etc.) and their biological significance.

c. Carbohydrate Metabolism and their role in diabetis mellitus: Overview and significance of major pathways: Glycolysis, Citric Acid Cycle (TCA), Gluconeogenesis, Hexose Monophosphate (HMP) shunt, and Glycogen metabolism; regulation of blood glucose levels; metabolic adaptations during fed state, fasting, and prolonged starvation; metabolic derangements in diabetes mellitus and related disorders.

d. Biological Oxidation: Electron Transport Chain (ETC), oxidative phosphorylation, and mechanisms of ATP synthesis; regulation and clinical implications of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Unit III 

Lipid metabolism

a. Classification, functions, and properties of lipids and lipoproteins (HDL, LDL, VLDL, chylomicrons)

b. β-oxidation and de-novo synthesis of fatty acids: Ketone bodies: synthesis, utilization, and clinical significance

c. Biological significance of cholesterol, lipid profile, and its clinical significance

d. Disorders associated with lipid metabolism: Hyperlipidaemias and hypercholesterolemia, lipid storage diseases, atherosclerosis, fatty liver disease, and obesity

Unit IV

Amino acids and protein metabolism

a. Classification and Biological Functions: Classification and physiological roles of amino acids. Structure and functions of proteins and plasma proteins

b. General Metabolism of Amino Acids: Transamination, oxidative and non-oxidative deamination, decarboxylation. Urea cycle – nitrogen disposal and detoxification. Fate of carbon skeletons of amino acids (glucogenic vs ketogenic).

c .Catabolism of Specific Amino Acids and Related Disorders:

Catabolism of phenylalanine and tyrosine and their metabolic disorders

(Phenylketonuria, Albinism, Alkaptonuria, Tyrosinemia) and Inborn errors of branched chain and aromatic amino acids

d. Biochemical significance of neurotransmitters and hormones derived from amino acids:

5-HT (serotonin), melatonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline

e. Catabolism of heme and related disorders (jaundice).

Unit V

Nucleic acid metabolism and genetic information transfer

a. Nucleotide Metabolism and their related disorders: Biosynthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides. Catabolism of purine nucleotides (uric acid formation). Clinical significance of Hyperuricemia and Gout.

b. Genome Structure and Central Dogma: Organization of the mammalian genome. Introduction to DNA replication, Transcription, and Translation.

c. Genetic Code and Regulation of Protein Synthesis: Properties of the genetic code: Inhibitors of transcription and translation (antibiotics, toxins)

d. DNA Repair and Related Disorders: DNA damage types, Repair mechanisms. Overview of clinical disorders associated with faulty DNA repair.

Recommended References (Preferably latest editions):

1. Nelson, D.L., Cox, M.M. and Hoskins, A., Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. New York: W.H. Freeman.

2. Kennelly, P.J., Rodwell, V.W., Bender, D.A., Botham, K.M. and Weil, P.A., Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

3. Murray, R.K., Bender, D.A., Botham, K.M., Kennelly, P.J., Rodwell, V.W. and Weil, P.A., Harper’s Biochemistry. New York: McGraw-Hill.

4. Voet, D. and Voet, J.G., Biochemistry. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

5. Devlin, T.M., Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations. New York: Wiley-Liss.

6. Satyanarayana, U. and Chakrapani, U., Biochemistry. Kolkata: Books and Allied (P) Ltd.

7. Stryer, L., Biochemistry. New York: W.H. Freeman.