KUVEMPU UNIVERSITY
SAHYADRI SCIENCE COLLEGE (AUTONOMUS), SHIMOGA
Draft Syllabus for B.Sc. Biochemistry Course - 2012
Course Code: BC-01.
Principles of Biochemistry
Total hours of instruction: 60 hrs
Hours/week: 4.
Unit I. General Introduction (4h.)
Brief study of the foundations of biochemistry -cellular, chemical, physical, genetic and evolutionary
foundations (fundamental study only). Scope, history and development of Biochemistry. Mile stones in
the field of Biochemistry. Compositions of Living organisms, Water as a solvent of life.
Unit-II. Water, Acids, Bases and Buffer (9 h.)
Dissociation of water, ionic product of water, concepts of pH, pOH, simple numerical problems of pH,
determination of pH using indicators, pH meter and theoretical calculations. Dissociation of weak acids
and electrolytes, Bronsted theory of acids and bases, shapes of titration curve of strong and weak acids
and bases. Meaning of Ka and pKa values, buffers and buffer action. Buffers in biological system,
Henderson -Hasselbalch equation with derivation, simple numerical problems involving application of
this equation, simple numerical problems on buffer composition.
Unit III. Colloids (7 h.)
Meaning of true solution, colloidal solution, coarse suspension, distinction between lyophilic and
lyophobic sols. Fundumental study of Donnan equilibrium- application in biological system. methods of
preparation of colloidal solution, membrane permeability, separation of colloidal solutions, elementary
studis- Tyndall effect, application of colloidal chemistry, emulsion and emulsifying agents.
Unit IV. The atom and chemical Bonding (5 hr)
Elementary composition of Living matter, structure of atom, Ionization potential, Nature of chemical
bonding, Types of chemical bonding (electrovalent, covalent and coordinate), Characteristics of bonding
(Bond length, angle, strength and energy), hydrogen bonds and weak interactions. Atomic and molecular
orbital, formation of molecules (in brief).
Unit V. Nuclear chemistry: (5h.)
Nature and properties of α, β and γ rays. Measurement of radioactivity, natural radioactivity,
isotopes, isobars. Important stable radioisotopes used in biochemical research. P32, I125,I131, Co60. C14
etc. Radiation hazards and precautions taken while handling radioisotopes
Unit VI. Bio- Organic Chemisty (14h.)
Hydrocarbons, classification, nomencleature. Carbonyl compounds- general reactions (aldehydes,
ketones and quinones), Aldol condensation, claisen condensation . Carboxylic acids- general reactions
acidity , hydroxy acids, di and tri carboxylic acid, keto acids. Eexamples and structure from biology and
their biological importance (tartaric acid, malic acid, citrate, isocitrate, pyravate, ketoglutarate, oxalo
acetate). Amines- classification, distinguishing reactions, basic strength, structure of some Biologically
important amines (serotonin, histamine and GABA).
Stereochemistry: Classification of isomerism, DL and RS notations (tartaric acid, lactic acid and
glyceraldehydes), E and Z system (malic and fumaric acid). Oxidation reduction reactions, substitution,
addition, elimination, condensation and decarboxylation with one example each.
Hetero cyclic compounds: classification: Structural formulae and occurrence of furan, pyran, thiopene,
oxazole, Thiazole, pyrole, Imidazole, pyridine, qunoline, Indole, isoquenoline, Purine and pyramidine
(Give their therapeutic applications). Aromaticity of furan, thipene, pyrole and pyridine. Elasticity of
pyrole and pyridine.
Unit VII. Chemical Equilibrium and Catalysis (8 h.)
Introduction to chemical kinetics, equilibrium reactions, law of mass action, equilibrium
constant, definition of catalysis, characteristics of catalytic reaction- explanation of positive negative and
auto catalysis. Fundamental ideas of promoters and catalytic poisoning, basic principles of
thermodynamics, free energy, enthalpy, entropy, reversible and irreversible reactions- examples from
biochemistry.
Unit VII. Solutions and titrimetic method (8h.)
Meaning of normality, molarity, molality, percentage solution, mole fractions, simple numerical
problems from the above. Fundamental principles of diffusion and osmosis, definition of osmotic
pressure, isotonic, hypotonic and hyper tonic solutions. Biological importance of osmosis. Relationship of
osmotic pressure to gas laws. General equation for dilute solutions, influence of ionization and molecular
size on osmotic pressure.
Titration and its importance, primary and secondary standards, indicators, types of titration-acid-base,
redox, complexometric and iodometric with an example.
BC Practical-01
A.
1.
2.
3.
Lab handling and preparations
Handling of laboratory apparatus and glass wares. Use of analytical and digital balance
Calibration of weights and volumetric glass ware
Preparation of solutions:
a. percentage solutions, b. molar solutions, c. normal solutions
4. Standardization of pH meter, Preparation of biologically important buffers (phosphate buffer pH
7.2, acetate buffer 4.0, bicarbonate buffer 9.8).
5. Determination of pKa value of a given weak acid using pH meter.
B. Preparations and titrametric estimations
1. Preparation by oxidation, acetylation, bromination and nitration reactions
a. Aspirin from salicylic acid
b. Benzoic acid from benzaldehyde
c. Bromoacetanilide from acetanilide
d. m- dinitrobenzene from nitrobenzene
2. Estimation of given HCl using approximate N/10 NaOH and potassium thalate.
3. Estimation of Mohr’s salt using approximate N/10 KMnO4 and oxalic acid crystals.
4. Estimation of H2O2 using approximate N/10 KMnO4 solution
5. Estimation of hardness of water using EDTA solution and Zincsulphate.
Note:
Practical proper: 20 Marks (Part A: 12 marks, Part B: 06 Marks; Part C: 02), Record: 05 Marks,
Viva: 05 Marks.
Reference
1. Text book of Biochemistry: E.S.West, W.R.Todd, H.S. Mason and
J.T. Van Bruggen
2. Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry : D.L. Nelson and M. M. Cox . Worth
Publishers, 41 Madisons Avenue New York, USA ISBN 0-333-94657-X
3. Principles of Physical Chemistry: B. R. Puri , L.R. Sharma and S . P. Madan.
Vishal Publishing Comapny. Gumber Market, Old Railway Road, Jalandhar.
4. Medical Biochemistry: S. Ramakrishnan 3-6-272 Himayat Nagar Hyderabad
ISBN 81-250-20713
KUVEMPU UNIVERSITY
SAHYADRI SCIENCE COLLEGE (AUTONOMUS), SHIMOGA
Syllabus for B.Sc. Biochemistry Course
Course Code: BC -02.
Structure and functions of Biomolecules
Total hours of instruction: 60.
Hours/week: 4
Unit I. Biomolecules (2 h)
Classifications and their role and biological significance in living system.
Unit II. Carbohydrates (12 h.)
Definiton and classification of carbohydrates (based on hydrolysis, function and reducing property),
Monosacharides- Defination, Stereochemistry of monosacharides - D and L designations ,
configurational relationships of aldoses and ketose. Enantiomers, Epimers and diasteromers.
Glucose: properties, open chain, configuration and ring structure (with elucidation), Determination of the
ring size, chair and boat configurations. Anomers, mutorotation.
Fructose: properties, configuration and ring structure (elucidation not required).
Linear and cyclic structure ( galactose, mannose, ribose and arabinose).Reactions and characteristics of
aldehyde and keto group, action of acids and alkalies on sugars, reactions of sugars due to hydroxyl
group.
Inter conversion of monosacharides- ascending and descending series and aldose to ketose.
Derived monosacharides: Definition, structure and biological importance of amino sugars, sugar acids and
deoxysugars.
Disaccharides- Defination, establishment glycosidic linkage, structure, occurrence, chemistry and
functions of sucrose, lactose, trehalose, maltose, isomaltose and cellobiose.
Polysacharides: Defination, classification structure and biological importance.
Homopolysachrides: Occurrence, structure, chemistry and functions of cellulose, starch,
glycogen, , chitin. dextrin and inulin.
Heteropolysacchrides: Occurrence, types, composition and functions of glycosaminoglycans like
chondratin sulphate, hyluronic acid, keratin sulphate, dermatan sulphate and heparin.
Bacterial cell wall components – peptidoglycan. Biological importance of carbohydrates.
Unit III. Lipids (10h.)
Definition, basic ideas about the biochemical functions of lipids. Classification of lipids with
examples,
Fatty acids- Defination, nomencleature, and classification of fatty acids, physical and chemical properties
of fatty acids- Essential and non essential fatty acids with examples, prostaglandin (structure of PGE1 and
PGE2), eicosanoids.
Acyl glycerols: Defination, hydrolysis, rancidity, and significance saponification number, acid number
and iodine number and their application.
Compound lipids: storage and membrane lipids. Structure and functions of phospholipids and
glycolipids, phosphosphingolipids, and glycosphinogolipids: occurrence and biological significance of
cerebrocides and gangliocides.
Lipoproteins and waxes.
Steroids: Strucutre of steroid nucleus, cholesterol, ergosterol, stigmasterol, calciferol
Membranes: Behaviour of amphipathic lipids in water – Formation of micelles, bilayer and vesicles,
Functions and chemical composition of biological membranes. Structure of fluid mosaic model.
Unit IV. Amino acids and Proteins (12 h.)
Amino acids: Definition, structure and classification of amino acids based on polarity and charge,
stereoisomerism , structure of 20 ‘protein amino acids’ - Three letter and single letter abbreviations of
amino acids, non standard and non-protein amino acids.
General reactions of amino acids- side chain, carboxyl and amino group(nitrous acid, LiAlH4,
phenylisothiocynate, dancylchloride, ninhydrin, and HCHO) their practical significance. Essential and
non essential amino acids,
Ionization of amino acids. Acid-base properties, zwitter ionic properties, titration curves of amino acids.
Pka values and optical activity of amino acids.
Peptides: Definition, formation of peptide bond, characteristic properties of peptide bond, nomencleature,
structure of glutathione, oxytocin and vasopressin.
Proteins: Defination, Basic ideas about the classification based on chemical composition and shape
(including solubility characteristics) and functions of proteins. Elementary study of primary, secondary,
tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins, denaturation, renaturation (Anfinsen experiment should be
discussed), precipitation of proteins. Colour reactions of proteins. Isolation and purification of Proteins
(only principles should be discussed).
Unit V. Nucleic acids (8h.)
Components of nucleic acids. Structure of common purine and pyrimidine bases, tautomeric forms of
bases, structure of nucleosides and nucleotides and polynucleotides. Occurrence and general method of
isolation of nucleic acids.
DNA: structure and biological role of Double helix Watson and Crick model (B-DNA), A, B, and Z
forms of DNA, physical properties of DNA (conformational variants). DNA polymorphism – definition
and types.
RNA: Types and biological role of RNA- (t-RNA, r-RNA,m-RNA ), unusual bases in nucleic acids.
Unit VI. Metal ion in biological system(6h)
Toxicity of metals, Co-ordination environment of metals in some important biomolecules ( Iron in
hemoglobin, Myoglobin and cytochrome, Cu in hemocynin, Mg in chlorophyll, Co in Vit B12 and Mo in
nitrogense).
Unit VII. Bio organic molecules: (10 h)
Terpenes: Isoprene rule, classification, structure and occurrence of monoterpenes. Limonene, menthol
and camphor. Structural elucidation of citrall (synthesis from methyl heptinine).
Sesquiterpenes: Santonin, juvenile harmone, Abscission, Diterpenes – Phytol, Gibberlic acid, Triterpenes:
Lansoterol. Tetraterpenes: Lycopene. (Give their therapeutic applications).
Alkoloids: Introduction, general methods of extraction. Structural elucidation of Nicotine, structure and
importance of atropine and LSD (Give their therapeutic applications).
Drugs: Elementary account of chemotherapy. Theory of sulpha drug action. Synthesis and uses of
antipyrine, asperine, sulphathiazole, and sulphanilamide and paracetamol. Antibiotics: structure and
antibacterial spectrum of penicillin, chloroamphenicol, streptomycin and tetracycline.
BC-Practical -2
A. Qualitative analysis:
1. Carbohydrates- general reactions of carbohydrates and schematic analysis
Glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, sucrose, and starch
2. Amino acids and Proteins- general reactions and schematic analysis
Arginine, tyrosine, tryptophan and proline- Albumin and Casein
3. Lipids- animal fats and Vegetable oils
B. Isolation methods (any four)
1. starch prom potato
2. Casein from milk
3. Oil from oil seeds
4. DNA from onion leaves, coconut endosperm
5. Caffeine and tannin from Tea leaves
6. Citric acid from lemon juice
Note: Practical proper: 20 Marks (Part A: 05 marks, Part B: 15 Marks), Record: 05 Marks,
05 Marks.
References
1. Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry: - D. L.Nelson and M.M. Cox , Worth
Publishers, 41 Madisons Avenue New York, USA ISBN 0-333-94657-X
2. Text Book of Biochemistry: E.S.West, W.R.Todd, H.S. Mason and
J.T. Van Bruggen
3. Biochemistry: Donald. Voet and Jjudith G. Voet John Wiley & sons Inc. New York
Chischester, Brisbane,Toronto, singapore ISBN 0-471-58651-X
4. Principles of Biochemistry Geoffrey L Zubey, William W parson Pennis E Vance,
WMC Brown publishers, A division of WM Brown communications, Inc. ISBN
0-697-142742-2
5. Biochemistry: Lubert Stryer. and Hall, J.E., Library of congress cataloguing-in
publication Data, Bery, Jeremy mark ISBN -0-7167-4684-0
Viva: