Pharmaceutical Biochemistry
Pharmaceutical Biochemistry is a comprehensive course spanning the structure and function of biomolecules and cell metabolism. The course develops a common foundation in applying the principles of general and organic chemistry to analyze the structure of biological molecules and predict their interactions in the body. Students will analyze structure-function relationships and organization in the molecules of life: proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids. The physicochemical properties of functional groups critical in drug delivery are discussed. Specific topics include: membrane structure and function, biosignaling, essential nutrients and cofactors, enzymes, and the regulation of metabolic pathways.
Molecular Visualization Labs
Biochem Links
Khan Academy Videos: Biology | Biomolecules
Interactive Concepts in Biochemistry
Virtual Textbook: Organic Chemistry
1) Acid-base
2) Functional groups
3) Amino acids
4) Proteins
Protein visualization (DNA in purple)
5) Enzymes
6) Carbohydrates
7) DNA
Ball and stick rendering Lehninger problem 8.16
8) Lipids
9) Membranes
10) Biosignaling
11) Metabolic regulation
12) Carbohydrate metabolism
13) TCA cycle
14) Oxidative phosphorylation
Oxidate It or Love It acclaimed music video
15) Lipid metabolism
Fatty Acid Metabolism Ch.18 Interactive animation
16) Nitrogen metabolism
Insulin, obesity and metabolism - Course outro
Resources
PubChem Lookup a molecule
PDB Visualize protein and DNA structure
Strategies for Single Best Answer Multiple Choice Questions
If two choices denote precisely the same thing, they can be eliminated (assume the test is written correctly and there aren't two good answers). You can also use the law of contradiction: contradictory statements cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense.
After you're done reading and answering the question, check to make sure the answer is reasonable (or logically consistent with everything you know to be true). Eg, if you're using a complicated formula to calculate the temperature of a lab room, the answer shouldn't be 1000000 degrees.
General tips:
Try to solve the problem before looking at the possible answers, this way the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you.
Draw the chemical structure or equation being referenced.
Eliminate answers you know aren't right (start with easier parts of the problem).
Consider all the choices, and their finer aspects, before finalizing your answer.
In "All of the above" and "None of the above" choices, if you are certain one of the statements is true don't choose "None of the above" or one of the statements is false don't choose "All of the above".
In Matching questions, you may use an answer more than once depending on the instructions. Regardless, start with the easier questions in the set, this will clue you in on the types of relationships being looked for.
Language Items
The expert reader hones in on signal words that connect the logical flow of ideas. Categories of transition signals include additive, causal, comparative, contrasting, emphasis and illustrative.
These POGIL videos by student actors show how to actively discuss chapter terms and communicate effectively.
General science terms can trip up even non-ESL students on tests, so it is good to review their precise meaning (try onelook.com):
interaction, affinity, repulsion
mediate: to influence (but not inhibit) or cause a process or event
promote/inhibit
facilitate: to make it possible or easier for something to happen
favorable: likely to happen
moiety: one of the portions into which something is divided that has certain properties (functional group)
Abbreviations frequently used:
E.g. for example
I.e. that is
≠ not equal to
≈, ~ approximately equal to
= defined as (equivalence)
Greek alphabet:
α alpha
β beta
γ gamma
δ, Δ lower, upper case delta
ε epsilon
θ theta
λ lambda
μ mu
ν nu
π pi
σ sigma
ϕ, Φ lower, upper case phi
ψ, Ψ lower, upper case psi
ω omega
Å angstrom (10−10 m)
∞ infinity
Nutrition
Follow: Dr. Hills' Blog
Article by Hills and Erpenbeck: Guide to Popular Diets, Food Choices, and their Health Outcome.
Food Documentaries
The Future of Food (2004) GMO foods
Super Size Me (2004) Fast food industry
King Corn (2007) Corn overproduction in the U.S.
Food, Inc. (2008) Large corporations in the food industry
Food Matters (2008) Nutrition as medicine
Vegucated (2010) Veganism and animal treatment
Forks Over Knives (2011) Plant-based diet
Hungry for Change (2012) Processed foods; juicing
GMO OMG (2013) GMO vs. organic farming
Fed Up (2014) Sugar in the American diet
Cowspiracy: The sustainability secret (2014) Environmental impact of animal agriculture
In Defense of Food (2015) Based on Michael Pollan's well-balanced book
PlantPure Nation (2015) Author of The China Study
The C Word (2016) Anticancer lifestyle/integrative medicine
What's with Wheat? (2016) Wheat, Roundup and the microbiome
We Love Paleo (2016) Grain-free diet
What the Health (2017) Plant-based health
Nutrition and Popular Eating Plans
Evidence on cardiovascular outcomes, obesity, and diabetes reveals that a healthy diet is just what you might expect: rich in fresh vegetables, fruit, legumes and nuts/seeds… in other words a plant-based diet. Such foods are nutrient dense, fueling the body and the immune system with micronutrients. On the other hand, the Western diet is high in processed foods and emphasizes macronutrients: starch, refined grain, added sugar, and animal protein. Seventy percent of disease in the Western world is due to lifestyle and nutrition. The following description of popular diets will aid you in advising patients that may be partial to a particular meal plan.
Vegan
Veganism abstains from all animal products (meat, fish, dairy, eggs, butter). According to the 20-year long China Study (2005), this diet lowers your risk of the chronic Western illnesses: heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
Variants: 80/20 Vegan (e.g. TB12 by Tom Brady); Vegan Before 6pm; Weekday Vegan
References: www.whatthehealthfilm.com/facts
Films: Vegucated (2010); Forks Over Knives (2011); PlantPure Nation (2015); What the Health (2017)
Pescetarian (“Fegan”)
This diet includes fish and seafood but not other animal products. Like some “vegetarians”, coastal communities will often include eggs and dairy products.
Paleo
Abstains from starch (potato, cereal, corn) and all grains (pasta, rice, bread, flour, barley). Eliminates processed foods, added sugar, and dairy products. Often will include eggs and grass-fed butter (not margarine). May be allowed bacon with added sugar once per week. Strict paleo dieters limit pseudograins (quinoa, buckwheat, chia) as well as legumes (beans, chickpea, peanut) which contain the anti-nutrient phytic acid. Tree nuts are not a legume and are allowed, but only in moderation as they contain omega-6 fatty acids rather than omega-3.
Link: https://thepaleodiet.com
Films: We Love Paleo (2016); What’s with Wheat? (2016)
Specific-carb diet (SCD), FODMAP, or SIBO Specific Diet
In addition to abstaining from grains, SCD avoids fermentable carbohydrates that lead to microbial overgrowth in the GI tract. FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols. The diet provides symptom relief for sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s disease/ulcerative colitis. In the first phase, a strict 3-month period is needed to starve off GI bacteria or Candida. Thereafter, legumes and lactose-free cheese can be introduced one at a time to see if tolerated. To aid digestion, beans should be soaked overnight and drained prior to cooking.
SCD Dictionary: www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/legal/listing/A
Other Diets
Gluten-free: Celiac disease is a rare genetic autoimmune disorder affecting <1% of the population. Individuals will react to gluten (wheat, barley, rye). Others may benefit from this diet because they actually have IBS and react to fructan sugars (FODMAPs) found in wheat breads and pasta.
Ketogenic diet (also Atkins or South Beach diets): Variations of the low-carb diet have been attempted by some diabetics and those seeking to lose weight. Excludes high-carbohydrate foods such as starchy fruits and vegetables, bread, pasta, grains and sugar, and increases the consumption of fat in the form of nuts and cream/oil/butter. The resulting lack of blood glucose causes the body to produce ketone bodies. Known as ketosis, this fat-burning state causes the breath and urine to smell fruity. If ketone levels become extreme under starvation conditions, ketoacidosis of the blood can be fatal.
DASH (Dietary approaches to stop hypertension): This well-balanced diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy foods; includes meat, fish, poultry, nuts, and beans; and is limited in sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, red meat, and added fats.
Mediterranean: This cultural diet decreases mortality and the risk of cancer/heart disease. Emphasizes whole grains, olive oil, veggies, legumes/nuts, and fish/poultry in that order. Moderate consumption of yogurt, cheese, and wine is permitted. Red meat, eggs, refined grains/starch, and sweets are used sparingly.
Advanced topics
Fats/Oils: An omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio of 4:1 or lower, as found in many fish, is ideal because omega-3s are a powerful antioxidant. Extra virgin olive is often thought to be healthy, though its ratio is 13:1. Grass-fed meat can have twice as much omega-3s as regular beef.
FODMAPs: Fruits, vegetables and other legal foods can be ranked by their degree of fermentation (used to suggest allowed serving size). IBS is hard to test for: one sign is if you get cramps after eating a bag of raw carrots.