Weekly Update Week 2 - Chemistry

Weekly Update 

Week 2 - Chemistry

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In modern biology, it is easy to say that chemistry is the foundation upon which biology rests.  From genetics to metabolism, to even the structure of cells, chemistry is involved.  This is one of the reasons why at GSU chemistry is a per-requisite course for biology.  This week there are two main goals:  a review of  basic chemistry and an introduction to biochemistry.  The review of chemistry is a personal review; we will not be going over this in class.  In lecture, we will discuss some important issues of biochemistry that will come up repeatedly throughout the semester.

Specific Goals (be able to discuss the following):

1. Bonds (Ionic, Covalent, Hydrogen)
2. pH (Acids, Bases and Buffers)
3. Properties of Water
4. Properties of the Carbon Atom (Introduction to Organic Chemistry)
5. Synthesis of Biopolymers
6. Hydrolysis of Biopolymers
7. Properties of Lipids
8. Properties of Carbohydrates
• Numbering carbons in a carbohydrate
• Glycosidic Bonds
9. Properties of Proteins
• Levels of Protein Organization
• Protein Domains
10. Properties of Nucleic Acids
• Structure of DNA
• Base Complimentarity

You will note in BOLO that there are optional readings.  These readings come from Openstax Biology Textbook, produced at Rice University.  This is an open source biology text, with materials vetted by biologists.  Use these readings to help further your understanding of the presented topics.

There are also a number of videos which will help you further understand the topics we are covering.

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Due to time restrictions during the first week, I was unable to get all of the newsletters out. Over the next few weeks, we will return to some of the discussions about Life and the general science of biology. Be on the look out for "Special Edition" news letters.