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Bioscience Topics: Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the study of the substances found in living organisms and the chemical reactions underlying life processes. Considered one of the molecular sciences, biochemistry is a branch of both chemistry and biology; the prefix “bio-” comes from bios, the Greek word for “life.” The main goal of biochemistry is to understand the structure and behavior of biomolecules. These are the organic (carbon-containing) compounds that make up the various parts of the living cell and carry out the chemical reactions that enable it to grow, maintain and reproduce itself and to use and store energy.
HHMI Biointeractive: Classroom Resources
For instructors of chemistry and biology, the Howard Hughes Medical Insitute's BioInteractive collection offers this compilation of resources "related to chemistry, biochemistry, and biological macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids." In total, Chemistry of Life includes 78 resources, including animated videos, hands-on classroom activities, interactive videos, three-dimensional models, and more. Visitors can best browse these items by selecting the View All Chemistry of Life Resources link at the bottom of this page. From here, visitors can filter resources by topic (e.g., biochemistry; nutrition, mechanism), by resource type (e.g., animation, 3D model, instructor resource), or by curriculum (including AP Biology, Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards-Life Science). Each resource is accompanied by a short description. Many of the more extensive educational resources in this collection also are also accompanied by a list of relevant NGSS, AP Biology, and IB Biology standards.
RCSB Protein Data Bank (PDB)
This resource is powered by the Protein Data Bank archive-information about the 3D shapes of proteins, nucleic acids, and complex assemblies that helps students and researchers understand all aspects of biomedicine and agriculture, from protein synthesis to health and disease.
As a member of the wwPDB, the RCSB PDB curates and annotates PDB data.
The RCSB PDB builds upon the data by creating tools and resources for research and education in molecular biology, structural biology, computational biology, and beyond.
Streaming Video
Cell Biochemistry (3 parts)
This series examines topics in biochemistry, looking at the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis and examines the role of enzymes.
Cell Metabolism and Respiration
All living organisms need energy to perform day-to-day tasks. Using straightforward, vibrant animation to anchor otherwise complex ideas, this program shows how that energy is created through the metabolic processes of catabolism, aerobic cellular respiration, and anabolism. Respiration is covered in depth, with detailed explanations of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain. Also covered is fermentation and anaerobic cellular respiration, and how cells help build large, complex molecules through the process of anabolism. A part of the series Cell Biology: Structure, Function, and Processes. (22 minutes)
Cell Respiration
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This program outlines the essential roles of aerobic and anaerobic respiration and discusses respiration's vital role in all living cells. It explores energy sources for living organisms, endergonic and exergonic chemical reactions, and the role of ATP as energy carrier. Differentiating between aerobic and anaerobic processes, the program illustrates the stages of aerobic respiration, showing glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. It also looks at anaerobic respiration in animals, plants, and yeasts and discusses energy transformations.
Enzymes: Organic Catalysts
This program outlines the essential features of enzymes and their vital role in all living cells. It discusses the function of a catalyst and enzymes as organic catalysts and looks at activation energy and enzyme structure. It illustrates the lock and key model of enzyme action, examines the roles of coenzymes and cofactors, and explores such factors affecting enzyme action as temperature, pH, enzyme concentration, and substrate concentration. It also looks at competitive and non-competitive enzyme inhibition and discusses enzymes and DNA.
Photosynthesis
Using animation and photomicrography, this program illustrates the essential steps of photosynthesis and explains its vital role in converting light to chemical energy. It examines chloroplast structure and function and shows the steps of photosynthesis, looking at the light-dependent stage and the light-independent stage and the inputs and outputs of each. The program presents key factors affecting photosynthesis, including light intensity, water availability, carbon dioxide concentration, and temperature; considers the use of glucose by plants; and examines chemosynthetic organisms. It also features a separate sequence illustrating the steps of the Calvin cycle.
The Proteom Code:Journey to the Cell’s Core
When Craig Venter, the star of genome technology, joins forces in an investment with Apple and Google, you know it’s something big! Theoretically, if we were to decode the basic cellular structure of human beings, we would be protected from all forms of damage or deterioration. In essence, we would become immortal and no longer have to fear the rise of artificial intelligence as humans would replace machines. Is this a desirable effect? Our entire ethical and cultural anthropology would dissolve into nothing as this hypothesis would divide the history of humanity into before and after this venture.
