Nutritional Biochemistry NUTR 2305

Course description:

This course is designed to provide an understanding of the structure of the chemical components of living matter. The course will cover the four major classes of biological molecules: water, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. An emphasis will be on the chemical properties and three-dimensional structure of these molecules in relationship to their biological function with focus on nutrition. Principles of bioenergetics, the mechanisms of enzyme action, enzyme kinetics, and the control mechanisms which regulate enzymatic reactions will be discussed. Main biochemical concepts regarding the different metabolic pathways of biomolecules; carbohydrates, lipids. Proteins and nucleotides.

Course Aims:

  • Provide student with the foundation of the relationship between structure, function and performance of biomolecules, biomaterials and the systems that employ them.
  • Provide a basic knowledge of the regulation of integrated metabolic pathways within cells and tissues.
  • Clarify the other pathways that feed for glycolysis (hydrolysis of disaccharides to monosaccharides, glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis and the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMP).
  • Clarify the following terms: glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis, and Glycogenolysis and oxidation phosphorylation.

Course outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:  
  • Describe the structure and function of the four major classes of biological macromolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids).
  • Discuss basic concepts and terminology of metabolism and bioenergetics.
  • Compare and contrast glycolysis and gluconeogenesis and the pentose phosphate pathway.
  • Describe the catabolism of fatty acids and amino acids.
  • Able to recognizes metabolic disorders.