BIOC 2300BIOC 2610BIOL 2020BIOL 2030CHEM 2401CHEM 2402
Describe the basic principles of intracellular signal transduction and discuss how these processes may alter gene expression, protein function and cellular fate. [BIOC 1040] [BIOC 2300] Define hormone action and recognize the steps of the main hormonal signaling mechanisms. [BIOC 2300] Identify general features of the common classes of biomolecules: carbohydrates, lipids, nucleotides and amino acids. [BIOC 1040] [BIOC 2300] Describe the structural features of nucleic acids and be able to distinguish them; describe the basis for information content in a DNA sequence; describe the flow of genetic information and be aware of different discoveries emerging in this area. [BIOC 2300] Recall the steps of glucose metabolism, citric acid cycle, fatty acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism; identifying the intermediates, enzymes, and regulatory steps. [BIOC 2300] Recognize the main mechanism of action of insulin and/or glucagon and their pathways. [BIOC 2300] Explain how energy and glucose homeostasis are maintained in the human body, and recognize the roles of peripheral and central signals. [BIOC 2300] Outline the major metabolic pathways by which biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids) are synthesized, degraded and transported, and identify the key points at which these pathways are regulated. [BIOC 1040] [BIOC 2300] Recall the role of photosynthesis in plants and the importance of this process in the biosphere; understand the light and dark reactions of photosynthesis at the molecular level. [BIOC 2300] Explain how lipids form membranes and lipoproteins and influence their function, and list different transport mechanisms across membranes. [BIOC 2300] Explain how metabolic pathways are controlled to maintain homeostasis of organisms under normal physiological conditions, and give examples of how this may be influenced by nutrition, drugs, and certain pathological states such as diabetes and obesity. [BIOC 1040]
Describe the reciprocal pathways of fatty acid synthesis and oxidation.Explain how metabolic pathways are controlled by compartmentalization within and between organelles and tissues.Recognize GTPases as on/off switches in vesicular transport and cellular signaling.Recognize high energy intermediates and their role in reaction energetics: substrate level phosphorylation.Recognize how changes in lipoprotein metabolism influence atherosclerosis.Recognize the pathway for cholesterol biosynthesis and its regulation.Recognize the structures and functions of glycerolipids.Describe the concept of feedback regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis.Explain cellular pathways for protein transport and modification and their effects on protein function.Explain how dietary carbohydrates, fats and proteins are converted to energy.Explain steroid hormone signaling and receptor action.Recognize modifications of cholesterol in the synthesis of steroid hormones.Analyze the quantity of energy produced from each dietary component (carbohydrates, fatty acid and amino acids).Associate insulin, glucagon, and epinephrine action with the body’s metabolic state and the activity of metabolic pathways in different tissues.Recognize common features in pathways for amino acid synthesis.Recognize metabolic defects in nucleic acid metabolism.Integrate amino acid catabolism with other metabolic pathways.Recall basic principles of regulation of anabolic and catabolic pathways in biochemistry.Recall the steps of insulin and glucagon signaling, and associate possible disruptions of insulin signaling to the development of diabetes.Recognize nitrogen fixation by plants and bacteria as a starting point for the amino group in proteins.Classify pathways for protein catabolism and their roles in cell biology and metabolism.Describe cellular mechanisms of transport that enable the cell to maintain membrane asymmetry and the cellular distribution of lipids.Discriminate the classes of lipoproteins by physical and chemical properties and their functions.Integrate amino acids into purine and pyrimidine metabolism.Integrate glucose metabolism and insulin action with diabetes and obesity.Recognize adipose tissue as an endocrine organ and describe the changes in obesity.Associate the principles of the central control of food intake with the development of obesity.
