Details of LS2101 (Autumn 2026)

Level: 2 Type: Theory Credits: 3.0

Course CodeCourse NameInstructor(s)
LS2101 Biochemistry Amit Kumar Mandal,
Rupak Datta

Preamble
This course introduces 2nd year students to the chemistry of the living systems i.e., biochemistry, where they will learn various biochemical activities that take place in cells starting from the reactions of individual molecules in single steps to the reactions of a series of molecules involved in multiple steps in sequential manner. They will also learn how cells obtain energy from food sources and utilize energy to carry out complex life processes. Nevertheless, this course is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in biochemistry, through engaging lectures and discussions, that will excite students to move forward into advanced studies in life sciences.

Syllabus
Syllabus :

An introduction to the subject of biochemistry
Details on the properties of water and its importance in the biological systems
Importance of weak acid-base conjugates, buffers, and pH in the biological systems
Protein structure: Structures of amino acids, Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of proteins; Protein folding
Enzyme: Enzymology, enzyme kinetics, and allostery.
Vitamins and coenzymes.
Purifications of proteins: Overview of analytical techniques for purification using different chromatographic platform
Nucleic acid structure: Structure of purine and pyrimidine bases, structure of different forms of DNA.
Carbohydrates and sugars: Classification; chemical structures.
Understanding the metabolism of carbohydrates and sugars: Glycolysis, TCA cycle, Electron transport chain.

References
References:

1. D. Nelson and Cox, Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, Mcmillan
2. Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Lubert Stryer, Biochemistry, W.H. Freeman
3. Biochemistry, Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet
4. Introduction to Protein Structure
Carl Branden and John Tooze

Course Credit Options

Sl. No.ProgrammeSemester NoCourse Choice
1 IP 1 Not Allowed
2 IP 3 Not Allowed
3 MP 1 Not Allowed
4 MP 3 Not Allowed
5 MR 1 Not Allowed
6 MR 3 Not Allowed
7 MS ( Biological Sciences ) 3 Core
8 MS 5 Not Allowed
9 MS 7 Not Allowed
10 MS 9 Not Allowed
11 RS 1 Not Allowed
12 RS 2 Not Allowed