Biochemistry

Volledige vakbeschrijving

Biochemistry is considered the mother of all Life Sciences. Understanding Biochemistry will facilitate learning of more specialised Life Sciences such as Molecular and Cell Biology. This course addresses the biochemistry of the molecular components of cells. We will cover the structures, functions and interactions of the biomacromolecules, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, DNA and RNA, which perform many of the activities associated with life. We will provide insight in the specificity and action of enzymes, the biocatalysts of the cell. Further, we will explain principles of the regulation of metabolic pathways that result in the generation of ATP, the major energy currency of the cell. We will highlight the biochemistry of the central dogma (gene --> protein). The theory studied in this course will be explained by examples of biochemistry in every day life. For instance how DNA profiling works in forensic science and how a mutation in a gene changes structure and function of proteins and causes diseases such as sickle cell aneamia.