Introduction

Objectives: Students should be able to

• Explain how the chemical properties of carbon explain the structural diversity of organic molecules
• Predict the evolution of a biochemical reaction
• Determine the factors driving the equilibrium, directionality and spontaneity of biochemical reactions
• Understand how matter and energy flow between living systems
• Learn the classification of living organisms based on their abilities to extract and transform external sources of energy into usable chemical energy

Protein structure

Objectives: Students should be able to

• Draw the chemical structure of each of the 20 natural amino acids
• Describe the three basic building blocks of protein structure (α-helix, β-sheet and loop)
• Describe the forces and interactions that promote protein folding
• Evaluate, based on their knowledge of protein structure, whether a given protein structure model is likely to represent a native physiological protein structure.
• Make predictions about the effect of mutations on protein structure

Enzyme catalysis

Enzyme kinetics

Objectives: Students should be able to

• Explain how the interaction between enzyme and substrate affect the velocity of a reaction
• Apply the fundamental principles of Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics
• Predict the mode of action and the impact of different classes of inhibitors on enzyme kinetics
• Understand the kinetics of enzymes acting on several substrates
• Design mutations hypothesized to affect different enzyme kinetic parameters

Lipid structure and membrane assembly

Objectives: Students should be able to

• Explain the assembly of fatty acids into structural lipids
• Describe the chemical and physical properties of lipids and how they lead to the assembly of biological membranes
• Make predictions about the impact of changes in lipid structure and composition on properties of membranes
• Describe the types of interactions between proteins and membranes
• Summarize the roles of membrane-associated proteins on membrane properties

Carbohydrate structure

Objectives: Students should be able to

• Recall the classification and the structure of monosaccharides
• Explain the structural reason behind the central role of glucose
• Understand how the chemical structure of monosaccharide leads to the formation of complex and branched carbohydrates
• Describe structural and functional properties of extracellular carbohydrates

Glycolysis

Unique features of glycolysis in red blood cells

Objectives: Students should be able to

• Recall the steps of ATP synthesis by glycolysis
• Explain the contribution of fermentation to glycolysis
• Describe how glycolytic intermediates impact oxygen binding, and protect red blood cells against reactive oxygen species

Bacterial energetics

Objectives: Students should be able to

• Predict the biochemical impact of linear and branched fermentation pathways
• Explain the metabolic switches in bacteria exposed to changes in their environments
• Contrast and compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration
• Describe the processing of complex and simple dietary carbohydrates
• Compare the biochemical transformations of the simple sugars feeding the glycolytic pathway

The citric acid cycle

Electron transport

ATP synthesis

Objectives: Students should be able to

• Describe the production of reduced electron carrier during the citric acid cycle
• Describe each steps of the production of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation
• Correlate the number of ATP molecules produced with the point of entry of electrons in the electron transport chain
• To compare the yield of ATP synthesis by substrate level phosphorylation and oxidative phosphorylation

Muscle metabolism

Objectives: Students should be able to

• Describe the metabolic adaptations of muscle that enable it to rapidly generate ATP for mobility
• Differentiate between metabolism in cardiac and skeletal muscle
• Recall how the body and muscle adapt to physical challenges of different durations

Regulation of glycolysis in liver cells

Regulation of blood sugar by the liver

Objectives: Students should be able to

• Explain the role of allosteric enzymes as valves controlling the flux of intermediates in a pathway
• Determine how transient covalent modification affects enzymes controlling key steps in metabolic pathways
• Explain the hormonal regulation of metabolic pathways
• Predict how changes in blood glucose level affect the biochemical and hormonal regulations of metabolic pathways including glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogen synthesis and, glycogen degradation
• Recall the different steps of the pentose phosphate pathway and its role

Nucleic acid metabolism

Objectives: Students should be able to

• Compare the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines
• Compare the recycling and degradation pathway of nucleotides
• Recall the different steps of the urea cycle
• Describe the metabolic basis and treatment of gout

Fatty acid metabolism

Objectives: Students should be able to

• Demonstrate how fatty acid synthase catalysis leads to the production of fatty acids with an even number of carbons
• Predict the energy inputs and energy yield of fatty acid anabolism and catabolism

HarvardXPLUS is online learning reimagined, with you in mind. All HarvardXPLUS courses are taught by Harvard faculty members. Smaller cohorts enable a higher level of peer-to-peer learning and increased engagement with faculty and teaching assistants. Learners who successfully complete the course will earn a unique and valuable HarvardXPLUS branded credential highlighting the skills and knowledge mastered in the course.

This is the equivalent of an upper level undergraduate course. You may find that it is challenging. It covers the equivalent of one semester of biochemistry. We consider college level chemistry and biology to be prerequisites for this course.

What is HarvardXPLUS?

HarvardXPLUS is online learning reimagined - with you in mind. With this new initiative as one of the pioneers of high-quality online education, HarvardXPLUS has set out to create an unprecedented online learning experience, one that leverages the immersive content of HarvardX courses, and also features a high-touch community with your peers and with Harvard faculty and teaching assistants. Expectations and academic rigor remain a key element for HarvardXPLUS courses. With smaller cohorts than traditional MOOCs, these limited enrollment courses will offer you a chance for a deeper connection, more peer-to-peer engagement and the opportunity to develop a strong network with fellow learners.

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HarvardX strives to create an innovative online-learning platform that promotes accessibility for everyone, including students with disabilities. We are dedicated to improving the accessibility of the platform and welcome your comments or questions at support-hxplus@harvard.edu.

Are video captions available?

Each video for this course has been transcribed and the text can be found on the right side of the video when the captions function is turned on. Synchronized transcripts allow students to follow along with the video and navigate to a specific section of the video by clicking the transcript text. Students can use transcripts of media-based learning materials for study and review.

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In the event employers or institutions wish to convert the HarvardX Credential into CEU’s or Professional Development Hours (PDH), each course under the HarvardXPLUS program is accompanied by the number of hours required for completion for easy conversion. Awarding CEU’s or PDHs is at the sole discretion of the employer or receiving institution, not HarvardXPLUS.

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HarvardXPLUS is designed to create a high touch online learning experience by connecting our learners to Harvard faculty and encouraging peer-to-peer networking. As a result, learners are encouraged to follow the recommended pacing of the course rather than working ahead.

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Registered and paid learners will have access to the archived course for 90 days. This includes videos, discussion boards, and content. No extensions are granted.

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HarvardX Credentials are awarded to students who complete the course successfully in the scheduled time as indicated on the course details page.

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Fall 2016

HarvardXPLUS Credential, Principles of Biochemistry

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