BBCCT-101

Molecules of Life (Theory)

About the Course

“Molecules of Life” is one of the core courses in Biochemistry (Hons.) being offered as an elective for undergraduate students at Indira Gandhi National Open University. While preparing this course it has been kept in mind that, students joining B.Sc. (Hons.) Programme must have studied science subjects i.e., Biology, Physics and Chemistry at 10+2 level. In recent years, biochemistry has made a remarkable growth that has been contributing to the understanding of many basic and advanced issues related to health, nutrition and medical sciences.

In this course the structure and functions of various biomolecules like amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids have been described. In addition to these topics a separate unit on water has been included. The entire course is divided into four blocks of which Block 1 and Block 2 contain four units each, whereas Block 3 and Block 4 containing three units each.

Objectives

The objectives mentioned reflect the teaching and learning approaches. The running text describes and illustrates basics of biochemistry in a concise, learner friendly and interesting manner. It is supported by suitable figures, tables and several diagrams to integrate the concept of the unit. The key features and concepts have been highlighted and important points have been broken out of text and presented in boxes. A variety of teaching and learning approaches such as an inbuilt self-assessment exercises and terminal questions along with answers provided in each unit will support the learner to evaluate and meet the objectives of the given self-learning material.

The broad objectives of this course will enable you to:

describe the origin of biochemistry;
explain the significance of biochemistry in understanding life;
clarify the basic concepts of the biochemistry;
draw the basic structures and classification of biomolecules;
distinguish different types of biomolecules;
explain the biological significance of biomolecules;
illustrate and explain the importance of water and vitamins in maintaining normal metabolism; and
enumerate salient features of nucleic acids and explain how DNA is acting as a genetic material.

Self Learning Material

Block-1.pdf

Block 1 explains about origin of biochemistry and its progress as an interdisciplinary subject of research. It is a well known fact that water acts as a universal solvent because of its unique properties. Therefore one unit is dedicated to illustrate the structure and biological significance of water. A detailed discussion on structure of amino acids along with their physicochemical properties has been incorporated. A short account of peptide bond formation along with its significance and structural hierarchy of proteins have been included.

Block-2.pdf

In Block 2 a detailed discussion on various types of carbohydrates ranging from monosaccharides to polysaccharides has been discussed. In this block structure, properties and functions of carbohydrates have been explained in detail. A separate unit on glycobiology has been included which emphasizes on the less dicussed functions of carbohydrates such as role as information rich molecules, cell- cell recognition and blood group antigens.

Block-3.pdf

Block 3 deals with lipids as a major source of energy and explains how essential these are in the formation of plasma membrane of cell and other sub-cellular organelles. Lipids also play a vital role in cell signaling and synthesis of steroid hormones.

Block-4.pdf

Block 4 explains the structure and functions of vitamins and nucleic acids. You will study how DNA is acting as a genetic material. It also explains the physical and chemical changes occurring in DNA upon exposure to ultraviolet rays and chemical reagents.