Three major themes that connect most topics discussed in biochem and its implications on previously learned knowledge

The three main themes are important bio molecules, processes that produce these bio molecules and how these bio molecules are used by prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Bio molecules that were discussed this semester are water, amino acids, proteins & enzymes, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. Previously these topics were covered in depth and remained exclusive to that knowledge. For example, amino acids are made by connecting proteins through polypeptide bonds. Forming amino acid chains was a main idea taught in biochem that brought this information together and made it more complete.

Processes that produce these bio molecules are nucleic acid replication, transcription and translation, and thermodynamics. Previously these topics were covered in depth and remained exclusive to that knowledge. For example, during translation, the coded strand is what is being used for the individual amino acids. Each 3 bases makes a codon that then makes up a certain protein. Through biochem, the process was looked at thoroughly to the level of the subunit(s) on the strand bringing together anti-codon tRNA that also had the given amino acid attached. The tRNA comes in at the "ready" position A, then moves to position P where the amino acid chain is being formed, and then the E position which releases the tRNA disconnecting the amino acid from it leaving the amino acid on the chain forming. Eukaryotes do not posses the E position.

These bio molecules are utilized by glycolysis, storage mechanisms, citric acid cycle, electron transport, oxidation, phosphorylation, and lipid metabolism. Previously I have learned just the basics of these processes because what was important was knowing the molecules that partake in these processes. After having biochem, each of these processes and cycles were described in detail. Most importantly, the overall reactions including their products, and what enzymes catalyze them were key concepts.


The three themes I have identified focus on building the pyramid of science that has a foundation of genetics, biology, chemistry and molecular chemistry understanding.