This course concerns the chemistry of life. The evolution of living organisms started with chemical reactions and chemistry is still the basic science underlying biology. Biochemistry, the chemistry of life, deals with the chemical reactions that produce the specific molecules of life like RNA, DNA, proteins etc. that enable the self-assembly and reproduction of simple and complex organisms. Although organisms vary enormously in complexity and biological properties, they all use similar types of biomolecules for encoding and transmission of information, for compartimentalization (membranes), for building and degrading macromolecules, energy metabolism etc. Errors in the production, proper localization or degradation of these molecules often will cause disease. Biochemical knowledge thus is essential for understanding the molecular biology of cells, the causes of diseases, and the possibilities of bio-technology.
Prof. Dr. Cees Cornelisse
Chemistry
Fall / 2010
The following courses are required in order to take this course:
This course is required in order to take the following course: