CHEM 3785 - Biochemistry 1
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 40766,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Michael Serra
Email: maserra@ysu.edu
Course Description
3785. Biochemistry 1. Structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. Includes techniques of protein purification and analysis, the study of enzyme catalysis and kinetics. Study of the organization and regulation of metabolic pathways: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Prereq.: "C" or better in CHEM 3720. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Fundamentals of Biochemistry 6th edition | Heilmanand Woski | 978-1-119-90332-1 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 8/24 | 2.1 A,B | Physical Properties of Water | Suggested end-of-chapter problems (EOC): 1, 2 |
| Wed | 8/26 | 2.1C, 2.2 A,B | Hydrophobic Effect, Chemical Properties of Water | EOC: 9 – 12 |
| Fri | 8/28 | 2.2C | Buffers | EOC: 13 – 16, 18, Handout |
| Mon | 8/31 | 6.1A,B, 6.2A | Nucleotides, Nucleic Acid Structure | EOC: 1-5, 8-10 |
| Wed | 9/2 | 6.4A,B, 3.1A,C,D,E | Genes Direct Protein Synthesis Amino Acid Structure, Classification, Abbreviation of a.a. names | EOC: 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 15 |
| Fri | 9/4 | 3.2A, 3.4A,B | The Peptide Bond, Stereochemistry Polypeptide Diversity Peptide group | Online Quiz 1: Ch. 2 and 6 EOC: 11 |
| Mon | 9/7 | Labor day, no classes | ||
| Wed | 9/9 | 4.1B,C | Secondary and Nonrepetitive Structure | EOC: 3, 4, 12, 15, 21, 23, 24 |
| Fri | 9/11 | 6.3, 6.4A | Tertiary Structure, Protein Stability | Online Quiz 2: Ch. 3.1A,B,C,E, 3.2A, 3.4A,B, 4.1A,B,C EOC: 26, 27 |
| Mon | 9/14 | 4.3A,B and 4.4A,B Apendix A.1B |
Quaternary Structure, Denaturation, Salting Out | EOC: 28, 29 For Appendix A please find a problem set on Blackboard |
| Wed | 9/16 | Apendix A.1C | Chromatography | |
| Fri | 9/18 | Appendix A.1D | Electrophoresis | |
| Mon | 9/21 | Exam 1: Ch. 2, 3, 6 A.1B, A.1C | ||
| Wed | 9/23 | Appendix A.2A,B,C | Protein Sequencing | A problem set for material from A.2 is posted on Blackboard |
| Fri | 9/25 | Ch. 4, pages 111 - 112 | Myoglobin | A problem set for Mb and Hb is posted on Blackboard |
| Mon | 9/28 | Ch. 4, pages 112 -116 | Hemoglobin and Cooperativity | |
| Wed | 9/30 | Ch. 4: pages 116 - 117 | Hb: An Allosteric Protein | |
| Fri | 10/2 | Ch. 4, pages 118 - 119 5.1A |
Sickle Cell Anemia Monosaccharides | Online Quiz 3: A.1D, A.2A,B,C, Ch. 4 p 111-116 |
| Mon | 10/5 | 5.1B,C, 5.2A,C | Glycosidic bonds, Polysaccharides | EOC: 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, 23, 25 |
| Wed | 10/7 | 9.1A,B,C, 9.2A | Properties of Enzymes, Transition State Theory | EOC: 1, 2 |
| Fri | 10/9 | 9.2B, 9.2C, 9.3A | Catalysts and Free Energy, Binding of Transition State, Cofactors | EOC: 7, 8 |
| Mon | 10/12 | 9.2B, 9.2C, 9.3A | Catalytic mechanisms, Lysozyme: acid-base catalysis | EOC: 25, 26 |
| Wed | 10/14 | 9.5A,B,C | Serine Proteases: covalent catalysis | Online Quiz 4: Ch. 5, 9.1 – 9.4 EOC: 17, 18 |
| Fri | 10/16 | 10.1B | Enzyme Kinetics: The Michaelis-Menten Eqn. | EOC: 7, 9 |
| Mon | 10/19 | Exam 2: Ch. A.1D, A.2A,B,C, pgs 111-119, 5, 9 | ||
| Wed | 10/21 | 10.1C, 10.2A,B,C | Finding Vmax and KM, Enzyme Inhibition | EOC: 11 – 14, 18 – 20, 22, 24 Handout |
| Fri | 10/23 | 10.3A | ATCase: An Allosteric Enzyme | |
| Mon | 10/26 | 1.3C,D 12.1A,B |
Free Energy Review Overview of Metabolism |
EOC: 8 - 15, 20 EOC: 1, 2, 21 |
| Wed | 10/28 | 12.1C,D,E | Pathways, Thermodynamics, Flux | Online Quiz 5: Ch. 1 and 10 EOC: 7, 8, 27, 28, 35 |
| Fri | 10/30 | 12.2A,B,C,D | Coupled Rxns., Other “High-Energy” Cmpds. | EOC: 11 - 14, 23 |
| Mon | 11/2 | 12.3A,B, C | Reduction Potential and Free Energy | EOC: 5, 6, 15 – 18, 35, Handout |
| Wed | 11/4 | 13.1, 13.2A | Overview of Glycolysis, Rxns. of Glycolysis | |
| Fri | 11/6 | 13.2B-J | Reactions of Glycolysis (continued) | EOC: 1, 3 |
| Mon | 11/9 | 13.4A-C,15.6A | Fermentation, Control of Glycolysis | Online Quiz 6: Ch. 12, 13.1, 13.2 EOC: 9, 10, 11, 14 |
| Wed | 11/11 | Veteran's Day, no classes | ||
| Fri | 11/13 | 13.3A,B,C | Metabolism of Hexoses Other than Glucose | |
| Mon | 11/16 | 15.1, 15.2A,B | Overview of the Citric Acid Cycle, Synthesis of acetyl-CoA | EOC: 5 |
| Wed | 11/18 | Exam 3: Ch. 1, 10, 12, 13 | ||
| Fri | 11/20 | 15.3A-H | Reactions of the CAC | EOC: 1, 2, 9, 11 - 15, 24 |
| Mon | 11/23 | 15.4A,B, 15.5A,B | Regulation of the CAC, Rxns. Related to the CAC | EOC: 6, 10, 27, 33 |
| Wed | 11/25 | University open, no classes | ||
| Fri | 11/27 | No classes | ||
| Mon | 11/30 | 16.1A, 16.2A,B | The Mitochondrion, Electron Transport | Online Quiz 7: Ch. 15 EOC: 1, 6 |
| Wed | 12/2 | 16.2C,D,E,F 16.3A,B | Electron Transport, Chemiosmotic Theory, ATP synthase | EOC: 7, 9, 29, 30 17, 18, 21, 22, 31 |
| Fri | 12/4 | 16.1B,16.3C, 16.4B 16.4A,C | Oxidative Phosphorylation, P/O Ratio, Uncoupling, Control of Oxidative Metabolism | EOC: 3, 4, 13, 19, 36 25 |
| Mon | 12/7 | Comprehensive Final Exam | 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.