Reflecting back on the course, what are three major themes you would identify that connect the various topics discussed in this course – how are they connected to more than one topic, and how do they connect with what you knew before this course? What knowledge have you gained with regards to these three themes you have identified?

1) Phosphorylation

2) Oxidation

3) Condensation and hydration

These 3 reactions are such a vital part of all the Biochemical pathways we have discussed in this course. Throughout the entire biochemical realm the reactions here are the common theme that are presented from beginning to end. For all the major biochemical structures from Amino Acids to Nucleic acids, they all travel through chemical reactions that rely on the 3 themes above at some point in their existence.  Entering this course I had been well versed on the science of the reactions needed for such important processes such as cellular respiration and electron transport. Glycolysis, metabolism, and enzymatic activity all have chemical reactions at its source.

   The connection of these chemical reactions touches all the prior knowledge up to this point. Genetics, biology, chemistry and organic chemistry all have shown me the vital importance of the processed to keep organic life in existence. What I have gained from the course is to further identify the importance of these themes and its strong connection to the process of organic reactions. The chemical reactions are the driving force to energy production (ATP) and without it we are left with nothing more than inability to action. Life truly is one large never ending recycle.

REDUCE

REUSE

RECYCLE

How would you explain the connection between glucose entering the body and energy created by the body to a friend, using your new biochemistry knowledge?

The easiest way to explain to someone the process of glucose entering our body and energy created I would say is the explanation of cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is what cells do to break up sugars into a form that the cell can use as energy. This happens in all forms of life. Cellular respiration takes in food and uses it to create ATP, a chemical which the cell uses for energy. Regular cellular respiration is aerobic (requires oxygen). The aerobic process involves 3 parts:


Glycolysis
Citric Acid Cycle
Electron transport chain


Each of these parts has complexities all their own but all have the same product, ATP. Adenosine triphosphate is the main energy source for life and is continually needed and constantly created. 

What knowledge have you connected with past knowledge? #2

   This class has been an invaluable experience as I have been taking this class concurrently with Genetics. By taking this class in congress with Genetics has given me a vast advantage in the knowledge of of DNA replication. The biochemistry connection to all the processes within DNA transcription and translation have been an immediate connection to the Genetics I am experiencing along with Biochemistry. Being able to connect the concepts of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic replication only expands the knowledge put forth by Genetics. The Biochemistry aspects of Translation and Transcription have further expanded on the concepts connected with Genetics. It takes it a step further by expanding on the specific proteins along the replications chains. IT shows that the G-C & A-T (and sometimes U) is just the beginning in a long process involving many proteins and enzymes that piece together and large picture of the overall DNA replications process.