Learning Outcomes
i. Define biochemistry and protoplasm.
ii. Explain the importance of biochemistry and protoplasm to biology.
i. What is biochemistry?
Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes that occur in living organisms. It is a vast and complex field that encompasses a wide range of topics, including:
- The structure and function of biological molecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids
- The metabolic pathways that cells use to convert energy and synthesize new molecules
- The molecular mechanisms of cell signaling, gene expression, and other cellular processes
ii. What is protoplasm?
Protoplasm is the living substance of a cell. It is a colloidal suspension of organic and inorganic molecules in water. Protoplasm is made up of four main types of biological molecules:
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for cells. They are also used to build cell walls and other structures.
Proteins: Proteins are essential for all aspects of cell structure and function. They are involved in metabolism, cell signaling, and gene expression.
Lipids: Lipids are used to build cell membranes and store energy. They are also involved in cell signaling and hormone production.
Nucleic acids: Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, store and transmit genetic information.
iii. Importance of biochemistry and protoplasm to biology
Biochemistry and protoplasm are essential to biology because they provide the foundation for understanding the structure, function, and behavior of living organisms. Biochemistry helps us to understand how cells convert energy, synthesize new molecules, and communicate with each other. Protoplasm provides the physical and chemical basis for all life.
Example
When we eat food, our bodies break it down into carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. These molecules are then absorbed into our bloodstream and transported to our cells. In the cells, these molecules are used to generate energy, build new cells and tissues, and repair damaged cells. The chemical processes that occur in our cells are all examples of biochemistry.
iv. Real-world applications
Biochemistry is used in a wide range of fields, including medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. For example, biochemistry is used to develop new drugs and treatments for diseases, to improve crop yields, and to create new biofuels.
Biochemistry and protoplasm are essential to biology because they provide the foundation for understanding the structure, function, and behavior of living organisms. Biochemistry helps us to understand how cells convert energy, synthesize new molecules, and communicate with each other. Protoplasm provides the physical and chemical basis for all life.
Class Sessions
1- Lesson 01: Cell Biology Techniques
2- Lesson 02: Microscopy - Resolution and Magnification
3- Lesson 03: Graticule, Micrometer, and Micrometry
4- Lesson 04: Cell Wall - Composition and Significance
5- Lesson 05: Plasma Membrane - Composition and Function
6- Lesson 06: Cytoplasm - Nature and Metabolic Roles
7- Lesson 07: Endoplasmic Reticulum - Types and Functions
8- Lesson 08: Ribosomes - Structure and Function
9- Lesson 09: Golgi Complex
10- Lesson 10: Peroxisomes and Glyoxysomes
11- Lesson 11: Lysosomes - Formation and Function
12- Lesson 12: Mitochondria and Chloroplasts - Structures and Functions
13- Lesson 13: Centrioles and Cytoskeleton
14- Lesson 14: Cilia and Flagella - Movement Mechanisms
15- Lesson 15: Nuclear Envelope and Nucleoplasm
16- Lesson 16: Chromosomes and Prokaryotic Cell Structure
17- Lesson 01: Introduction to Biochemistry
18- Lesson 02: The Four Fundamental Kinds of Biological Molecules
19- Lesson 03: Dehydration-Synthesis and Hydrolysis Reactions
20- Lesson 04: The Properties of Water
21- Lesson 05: Carbohydrates
22- Lesson 06: Monosaccharides
23- Lesson 07: Isomers and Stereoisomers of Glucose
24- Lesson 08: Disaccharides
25- Lesson 09: Polysaccharides
26- Lesson 10: Laboratory-Manufactured Sweeteners
27- Lesson 11: Proteins
28- Lesson 12: Amino Acids
29- Lesson 13: Peptide Linkages
30- Lesson 14: The Significance of the Sequence of Amino Acids
31- Lesson 15: Synthesis and Breakage of Peptide Linkages
32- Lesson 16: Globular and Fibrous Proteins
33- Lesson 17: Examples and Roles of Structural and Functional Proteins
34- Lesson 18: Lipids
35- Lesson 19: Properties and Roles of Acylglycerols, Phospholipids, Terpenes, and Waxes
36- Lesson 20: Molecular Structure (Making and Breaking) of an Acylglycerol, a Phospholipid, and a Terpene
37- Lesson 21: Steroids and Prostaglandins
38- Lesson 22: Nucleic Acids and Nucleotides
39- Lesson 23: Molecular Level Structure of a Nucleotide
40- Lesson 24: Nitrogenous Bases Found in the Nucleotides of Nucleic Acids
41- Lesson 25: Mononucleotide (ATP) and Dinucleotide (NAD)
42- Lesson 26: Formation of Phosphodiester Bond
43- Lesson 27: The Double Helical Structure of DNA as Proposed by Watson and Crick
44- Lesson 28: Gene as a Sequence of Nucleotides as Part of DNA, Which Codes for the Formation of a Polypeptide
45- Lesson 29: General Structure of RNA
46- Lesson 30: Three Types of RNA
47- Lesson 31: Conjugated Molecules
48- Lesson 01: Structure of Enzymes
49- Lesson 02: Role and Component Parts of the Active Site of an Enzyme
50- Lesson 03: Types of Cofactors
51- Lesson 04: Enzyme Action through Induced Fit Model
52- Lesson 05: How Enzymes Catalyze Specific Reactions
53- Lesson 06: Effect of Temperature on Enzyme Action
54- Lesson 07: Effect of pH on Enzyme Action
55- Lesson 08: Effect of Enzyme Concentration on Enzyme Action
56- Lesson 09: Effect of Substrate Concentration on Enzyme Action
57- Lesson 10: Enzymatic Inhibition
58- Lesson 01: Introduction to Photosynthesis
59- Lesson 02: Photosynthetic Pigments and Light Absorption
60- Lesson 03: Raw Materials of Photosynthesis
61- Lesson 04: Mechanisms of Photosynthesis
62- Lesson 05: The Calvin Cycle
63- Lesson 06: Anaerobic Respiration and Glycolysis
64- Lesson 07: Pyruvate Conversion and Krebs Cycle
65- Lesson 08: Electron Transport and Chemiosmosis
66- Lesson 09: Substrate-Level Phosphorylation
67- Lesson 10: Cellular Respiration of Proteins and Fats
68- Lesson 11: Understanding Photorespiration
69- Lesson 12: Temperature Effects on RuBP Carboxylase
70- Lesson 13: C4 Photosynthesis
71- Lesson 14: Comparative Study of Photosynthetic Processes
72- Lesson 01: The Nature of Viruses
73- Lesson 02: Structure of Viruses
74- Lesson 03: Viral Life Cycle and Host Dependency
75- Lesson 04: Lytic and Lysogenic Cycles
76- Lesson 05:The Life Cycle of HIV
77- Lesson 06: Viral Diseases and Their Impact
78- Lesson 07: Structure and Impact of Prions and Viroids
79- Lesson 08: Virus-Host Interaction and Immune Evasion
80- Lesson 09: Viral Survival and Transmission
81- Lesson 10: Control Measures Against Viral Transmission
82- Lesson 01: Taxonomy of Prokaryotes
83- Lesson 02: Unique Features of Archaea
84- Lesson 03: Bacterial Habitats and Diversity
85- Lesson 04: Bacterial Cell Structure and Composition
86- Lesson 05: Bacterial Endospores and Motility
87- Lesson 06: Bacterial Genomic Organization
88- Lesson 07: Bacterial Nutrition and Energy
89- Lesson 08: Bacterial Growth and Reproduction
90- Lesson 09: Bacteria as Recyclers and their Importance
91- Lesson 10: Bacterial Diseases in Humans
92- Lesson 11: Bacterial Diseases in Plants
93- Lesson 12: Normal Flora in Humans
94- Lesson 13: Controlling Harmful Bacteria
95- Lesson 14: Importance of Bacteria in Research and Technology
96- Lesson 01: Diversity of Protists
97- Lesson 02: Major Groups of Protists
98- Lesson 03: Importance of Protists
99- Lesson 04: Characteristics of Fungi
100- Lesson 05: Classification of Fungi
101- Lesson 06: Yeast in Baking, Brewing, and Research
102- Lesson 07: Antibiotics from Fungi
103- Lesson 08: Mutualism in Mycorrhizae and Lichens
104- Lesson 09: Edible Fungi
105- Lesson 10: Ecological Impact of Fungi in Decomposition
106- Lesson 11: Pathogenic Role of Fungi
107- Lesson 01: Evolutionary Origin of Plants
108- Lesson 02: Diagnostic Features of Plants
109- Lesson 03: Characteristics of Bryophytes
110- Lesson 04: Life Cycle of Moss
111- Lesson 05: Land Adaptations of Bryophytes
112- Lesson 06: Advantages/Uses of Bryophytes
113- Lesson 07: Characteristics of Vascular Plants
114- Lesson 08: Seedless Vascular Plants
115- Lesson 09: Evolution of the Leaf in Vascular Plants
116- Lesson 10: Life Cycle of Ferns
117- Lesson 11: Success of Vascular Plants on Land
118- Lesson 12: Importance of Seedless Vascular Plants
119- Lesson 13: Evolution of the Seed
120- Lesson 14: Characteristics and Uses of Gymnosperms
121- Lesson 15: Angiosperms: Monocots vs. Dicots
122- Lesson 16: Life Cycle of a Flowering Plant
123- Lesson 17: Adaptations of Angiosperms on Land
124- Lesson 18: Inflorescence in Flowering Plants
125- Lesson 19: Significance of Angiosperms for Humans
126- Lesson 01: General Characteristics of Animals
127- Lesson 02: Classification of Animals Based on Tissues
128- Lesson 03: Diploblastic and Triploblastic Organization
129- Lesson 04: Types of Symmetry in Animals
130- Lesson 05: Pseudocoelomates, Acoelomates, and Coelomates
131- Lesson 06: Coelomates: Protostomes and Deuterostomes
132- Lesson 07: Characteristics of Various Animal Phyla
133- Lesson 08: Evolutionary Adaptations in Animal Phyla
134- Lesson 09: Invertebrate Chordates and Vertebrates
135- Lesson 10: Diagnostic Characteristics of Fishes
136- Lesson 11: General Characteristics of Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals
137- Lesson 12: Monotremes, Marsupials, and Placentals
138- Lesson 13: Evolutionary Adaptations in Vertebrates
139- Lesson 14: Animal Body Plans and Development
140- Lesson 15: Animal Locomotion and Behavior
141- Lesson 16: Animal Nutrition and Digestive Systems
142- Lesson 17: Animal Reproductive Systems
143- Lesson 18: Animal Sensory Systems and Neurobiology
144- Lesson 01: Plant Nutrients - Macro and Micronutrients
145- Lesson 02: Carnivorous Plants
146- Lesson 03: Role of Stomata and Palisade Tissue in Gas Exchange
147- Lesson 04: Transpiration and Gas Exchange in Plants
148- Lesson 05: Structure and Function of Plant Vascular Tissue
149- Lesson 06: Movement of Water in Plants - Water Potential
150- Lesson 07: Water Movement through Roots
151- Lesson 08: Water Movement in Xylem - TACT Mechanism
152- Lesson 09: Opening and Closing of Stomata
153- Lesson 10: Movement of Sugars in Plants
154- Lesson 11: Osmotic Adjustment
155- Lesson 12: Water Movement in Different Tonic Conditions
156- Lesson 13: Osmotic Adjustments in Different Plant Types
157- Lesson 14: Osmotic Adjustments in Saline Soils
158- Lesson 15: Adaptations to Temperature Extremes
159- Lesson 16: Turgor Pressure in Herbaceous Plants
160- Lesson 17: Supporting Tissues in Plants
161- Lesson 18: Plant Growth: Primary and Secondary
162- Lesson 19: Role of Meristems in Plant Growth
163- Lesson 20: Formation of Annual Rings
164- Lesson 21: Influence of Apical Meristem on Lateral Shoots
165- Lesson 22: Plant Growth Regulators
166- Lesson 23: Plant Movements
167- Lesson 24: Photoperiodism in Plants
168- Lesson 25: Mechanism of Photoperiodism
169- Lesson 26: Role of Low Temperature in Flower Production
170- Lesson 01: Digestion in the Oral Cavity
171- Lesson 02: Swallowing and Peristalsis
172- Lesson 03: Structure and Function of the Stomach
173- Lesson 04: Gastric Juice Secretion
174- Lesson 05: Digestion in the Small Intestine
175- Lesson 06: Absorption in the Small Intestine
176- Lesson 07: Structure and Function of the Large Intestine
177- Lesson 08: Control of Egestion
178- Lesson 09: Liver Functions
179- Lesson 10: Composition and Role of Bile
180- Lesson 11: Structure and Function of the Pancreas
181- Lesson 12: Secretion of Bile and Pancreatic Juice
182- Lesson 13: Digestive Disorders
183- Lesson 01: Heart Location and Role of Pericardium
184- Lesson 02: Structure of Heart Walls
185- Lesson 03: Blood Flow Through the Heart
186- Lesson 04: Phases of the Heartbeat
187- Lesson 05: Cardiac Conduction System
188- Lesson 06: Electrocardiogram (ECG)
189- Lesson 07: Structure of Blood Vessels
190- Lesson 08: Role of Arterioles
191- Lesson 09: Precapillary Sphincters and Blood Flow
192- Lesson 10: Pulmonary and Systemic Circulation
193- Lesson 11: Blood Flow Rates
194- Lesson 12: Blood Pressure
195- Lesson 13: Regulation of Blood Pressure
196- Lesson 14: Thrombosis and Embolism
197- Lesson 01: Skin as a Barrier Against Microbes
198- Lesson 02: Role of Oil and Sweat Glands
199- Lesson 03: Digestive Tract Acids and Enzymes
200- Lesson 04: Respiratory Tract Defenses
201- Lesson 05: Macrophages and Neutrophils
202- Lesson 06: Natural Killer (NK) Cells
203- Lesson 07: Complement System and Interferons
204- Lesson 08: Inflammatory Response
205- Lesson 09: Pyrogens and Fever
206- Lesson 10: Specific Immune Defense
207- Lesson 11: Types of Immunity
208- Lesson 12: T-Cells, B-Cells, and Antibodies