Oct 03, 2024  
2023-2024 WWCC College Catalog 
    
2023-2024 WWCC College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

CHEM& 131 - Introduction to Organic/Biochemistry


Credits: 5
LEC hours per week: 4
LAB hours per week: 2
This lecture / lab course is the second of a two-quarter sequence that examines organic and biological chemistry, with emphasis on functional groups and reactivity in living systems. This course is intended for students seeking a 2-year degree in an Allied Health field. Replaces: CHEM& 122, CHEM& 123.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM& 121  or CHEM& 161  with a grade of C or higher; or permission of the Science Division Chair or designee.
Course Outcomes:
  • Describe the role of carbon and common heteroatoms in organic and biological chemistry.
  • Name and draw the structure of select organic and biological molecules.
  • Predict physical properties and reactivities of organic and biological molecules based upon their structure.
  • Recognize and describe the biological significance of geometric, stereo and constitutional isomers.
  • Identify common organic functional groups and recognize their presence in biological molecules and pathways.
  • Describe how common organic reactions occur in physiological contexts.
  • Describe how organic structure creates biological function in lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and proteins.
  • Separate organic and biological mixtures via recrystallization, extraction, and chromatography.
  • Utilize common biochemical tests to describe the behavior of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins.
Course Topics:
  1. Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons
  2. Amines and amides
  3. Chirality
  4. Carbonyl-containing functional groups
  5. Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins
  6. Nucleic acids and gene expression
  7. Enzymes and metabolism
Course Attribute(s): Lab Course, Natural Science