Biochemistry

3 CH

Course Description:
This course is intended to provide the health professional with an understanding of the major
organic substances of living organisms, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, their structure
analyses and biochemical functions. It also provides an introduction to the chemistry of
bioenergetics, metabolism, biosynthesis and molecular biology.

Course Objectives:
At the end of the course students will be able to:
1. Describe the basics of organic chemistry with emphasis on the biomolecules and reactions
encountered in biochemistry of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, enzymes and hormones.

2. Perform experiment to study the chemical & physical properties of biomolecules.

3. Relate the basic knowledge of biochemistry for better understanding of the physiological
functions of the human body.

Teaching/Learning Strategies:
 Lectures
 Class discussions
 Role play
 Presentations
 Laboratory demonstration
 Experiments,
 Written assignments,
 Problem solving activities
 Self-study
 Pair and group work.

Course Expectations:
 In order to successfully meet the objectives of this course students will do the following:
 Attend all classes, and laboratory sessions as per policy
 Pre-reading for each class
 Complete all assignments, and examinations on due dates
 Participate actively in classes and in laboratory sessions.
 Satisfactory completion of laboratory work.

Evaluation Criteria:
Nature of Examination Course with lab
Quiz (s) 10%
Midterm 20%
Presentation /Assignment 10% 50%
OSPE’s 10%
Final term exam OSPE 20% 50%
BCQs 30%
Total 100%
COURSE OUTLINE
S. No. Units Learning Objectives Teaching Evaluation
Methodology
1. Unit – 1 Basic concepts of Chemistry:
Discuss the importance of chemistry Lecture BCQs
in nursing. Also review the concepts
that would help in better PPTs
understanding of the following units SAQs
After the completion of this unit Handouts
students will be able to: Assignment
1. Review the basic concepts of Discussion
matter and elements mixture,
compounds, chemical reactions, Summary
equations & bonding. Tables
2. Discuss Acid base and redox
reactions.
2. Unit – 2 Basic concepts of Organic
Chemistry:
Explain how organic chemistry is Lecture BCQs
important in daily life & nursing
practice.
After the completion of this unit
students will be able to: SAQs
1. Discuss the importance of
organic compounds.
2. Differentiate properties of Discussion
organic and inorganic Assignment
compounds.
3. Describe the classification of PPTs
organic compounds.
4. Differentiate the type of Handouts
hydrocarbons.
 Saturated Summary
 Unsaturated Posters
5. Describe the molecular OSPEs
composition of:
 Carbohydrates
 Fats
 Proteins
 Nucleic acid

6. Enlist the functional groups that

are alcohol, ethers aldehydes,
ketones, acids, esters, amines,
amino acids, and amides.

7. Write equations for the

 formations of alkene, alkanes,
aldehydes, ketones, acids, esters,
amines and amides.

8. Discuss the biologic importance

of various aldehydes, ketones,
acids, esters, amines, amides.

9. Distinguish between primary,

secondary and tertiary amines.

10. Elaborate the structure of amino

acid (amino acid).

11. Discuss isomerism with at least

two examples.

3. Unit – 3 Metabolism:
At the end of this unit learners will Lecture BCQs
be able to:
1. Define metabolism and its types, PPTs
 Anabolism SAQs
 Catabolism Handouts
2. Discuss Adenosine Triphosphate Assignment
(ATP) and its relationship with
catabolism and anabolism. Discussion Presentation

3. Define the following terms, Summary

gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis, Posters
glycogenolysis, transamination,
de- amination & ketosis.

4. Briefly discuss the following

metabolic pathways for
carbohydrate, protein & fats in
terms of Glycolysis. Kreb cycle
& electron transport chain.

4. Unit –4 Chemistry of Carbohydrates:

Describe the structure, properties & Lecture BCQs
functions of Carbohydrates
After the completion of this unit PPTs
students will be able to; SAQs
1. Define carbohydrates. Handouts
Demonstration Assignment
2. Describe the general structure of
carbohydrates. Discussion
 OSPEs
3. Explain the classification of Summary
carbohydrate. Posters Presentation
& assignment
4. Differentiate the three major
classes of carbohydrates that are
monosaccharide, disaccharide
and polysaccharide.
5. Discuss the biological
significance of carbohydrates.

5. Unit – 5 Chemistry of Lipids: Lecture

Describe the functions & structure of BCQs
lipids
After the completion of this unit Demonstration
students will be able to:
1. Describes the structure and SAQs
general properties of lipids and PPTs
fatty acids.
2. Discuss the classification of lipids
that are; Handouts Assignment
 Simple, Discussion OSPEs
 Compound
 Derived lipids.
3. Distinguish between saturated
and unsaturated fats Summary
4. Distinguish between soap and Posters Presentation
detergents. & Assignment
5. Discuss the role of phospholipids
in cell membranes.
6. Discuss the of steroids
(cholesterol)

6 Unit – 6 Chemistry of Proteins:

Describe the structure, functions & Lecture BCQs
properties of proteins.
After the completion of this unit PPTs SAQs
students will be able to:
1. Discuss the general structure of Handouts Assignment
amino acids.
2. Discuss the following Demonstration OSPEs
 Essential and non-essential amino
acid. Discussion Presentation
 Polar and non-polar amino acid & Assignment
 Z witter ion Summary
Posters Terms exam
3. Classify proteins according to
solubility, composition, function
 and shape.
4. Explain the significance of
protein denaturation.
5. Discuss the structure of
dipeptides and tripeptides.
6. Discuss the primary, secondary,
tertiary and quaternary structure
of protein.

7. Unit – 7 Nucleic Acid & Nucleotide: Lecture BCQs

In this unit students will study about
nucleotide, DNA & RNA that PPTs
represent the fundamental molecule SAQs
of life. Handouts
At the completion of this unit
students will be able to: Assignment
1. Review cell and its organelles
2. Describe the main structural
features of nucleotide. Presentation
3. Discuss the structure of RNA & Discussion & Assignment
DNA.
4. State the main differences
between DNA & RNA.
5. Discuss the biological importance Summary Terms exam
of nucleotides. Posters

8. Unit – 8 Enzymology:
Explains the importance of enzymes, Lecture
their mode of actions and properties
to human physiology. BCQs
After the completion of this unit PPTs
students will be able:
1. Discuss the importance of
enzymes.
2. Explain the mode of enzyme SAQs
activity. Handouts
3. Distinguish between apo-enzymes
and halo enzymes.
4. Differentiate between activators Assignment/
and inhibitors Demonstration Poster
5. Describe various types of
inhibition;
 Competitive inhibitors
 Noncompetitive inhibitors Discussion
 Uncompetitive inhibition OSPEs
6. Classify of enzymes according to
their function
 7. Explain the factors affecting the Summary Presentation
enzyme activity Posters & Assignment

8. Discuss the clinical significance of

enzymes

9. Unit – 9 Bio-energetic and Metabolism: Lecture BCQs

1. Define Bioenergetics
PPTs SAQs
2. Briefly discuss the concept of Assignment/
free energy Handouts Poster

3. Explain the role of ATP in Discussion

Linking Catabolism and
anabolism Summary
Posters
4. Discuss the biological oxidation
and reduction reaction

5. Describe electron transport chain

and oxidative phosphorylation.

10. Unit – 10 Metabolism of Carbohydrates: Lecture BCQs

Explains the metabolism of CHO
After the completion of this unit
students will be able to:
1. Discuss the importance of glucose Discussion SAQs
in blood and its dependency by
various organs
Assignment/
2. Discuss the glycogenesis and PPTs Poster
glycogenolysis

3. Describe the role of oxidative

glucose catabolism in the citric Handouts Presentation
acid cycle. & Assignment

4. Describe the role of

gluconeogenesis Summary
Posters
5. Discuss the overall scheme of
carbohydrate metabolism

11 Unit – 11 Metabolism of Fats: Lecture BCQs

Explains the metabolism of lipids &
fats. SAQs
After the completion of this unit PPTs Assignment/
 students will be able to: Handouts Poster
1. Explain the mechanism of fatty
acid oxidation Discussion Presentation
Summary & Assignment
2. Discuss the amount of energy Posters
produced during the oxidation of
a fat.

3. Discuss the significance of the

role of ketone bodies.

12. Unit – 12 Metabolism of Protein: Lecture BCQs

Explain the metabolism of Proteins PPTs
After the completion of this unit SAQs
students will be able to: Handouts
Assignment/
1. Review the digestion and Discussion Poster
absorption of protein.
Summary Presentation
2. Explain the significance of Posters & Assignment
nitrogen balance

3. Describe the synthesis of protein

4. Discuss the transamination,

deamination and decarboxylation.

5. Discuss the formation of urea and

ammonia disposal

13. Unit – 13 Hormones (Communication Lecture BCQs

among cells & tissue):
After the completion of this unit Discussion SAQs
students will be able to: Assignment/
1. Describe the classification of PPTs Poster
hormone. Handouts Presentation
& Assignment
2. Discuss the mode function of Summary
steroid & peptides hormones. Posters

3. Enlist cardiac, pineal and

gastrointestinal hormones.

Topics to be covered in Laboratory

 Review Lab
 Properties of Organic compounds
 Cell TBD (Total Body Density)
 Carbohydrates
 Lipids
 Proteins
 Metabolism
 Enzyme kinetics
 Lab evaluation

Lab evaluation criteria

 After the Completion of the labs each student will assessed at the end of the semester
individually according to the following criteria.

S. No. Area Points

1. Lab performance (such as safety and handling, setup,
observation interpretation)
2. Viva
3. Attendance and punctuality throughout the labs in the
semester

As the lab is 0.5 credits therefore 20% marks will be counted towards the final grade. In addition
to this satisfactory completion of lab manual is compulsory.

References:
1. Jacob A. (2004). Biochemistry for Nurses, 2nd ed. New-Delhi: Jaypee Brothers.

2. Chatterjea MN. (2004) Textbook of Biochemistry for dental /nursing / pharmacy students
2nded, New Delhi:jaypee.

3. Sackhiem, G. I. (1994).In Chemistry for the health science, 7thed , New York: Macmillan.

4. Tortora, F. J., &Anagnostakos, N.P. (2000). Principles of Anatomy & Physiology, New
York: Harper & Row.

5. Lehninger N. I (1997) Principles of Biochemistry, 2nded, New York: Worth