8. Reflecting back on the course, what are three major themes you would identify that connect the various topics discussed in this course...?

Three major themes I have noticed during this biochemistry class have been enzymes, ATP, and amino acids. Each of these three topics were talked about almost every class.Not only are these three topics important in our biochemistry class, but they are so important in life. 


Enzymes are defined as a single or group of proteins that ac as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions. We are always talking about enzymes in class, how they help aid along with a series of reactions to get the end product. They have been very important in the past few classes when we have been talking about glycolysis, Krebs cycle, etc. I learned that how important enzymes are and how needed they are by the body in various cycles and processes.

ATP is also very important, it is our main energy source in order to live. We need it to survive and function on a daily basis. ATP  is produces through various cycles in the body that have been discussed the second part of the semester a lot. I have gained a much better understanding of how ATP is produced during the electron transport chain.

Amino acids were discussed the second week of class and looked at again during translation.  Amino acids help build our genetic make up, if there is a mutation in an amino acid, our genetic make up could be very different, or we could have a mutation and then have a disease that could change everything. I feel like I am walking away with a much better grasp of that. 

Each of these three topics I have seen in just about all my other science classes. It is interesting to learn it a different way, and each time gets easier and easier.  

7. How would you explain the connection between glucose entering the body and energy created by the body to a friend, using your new biochemistry knowledge?

      Glucose enters the body and undergoes many changes in order for the body to create energy. First glucose enters the body and a phosphate attaches to the glucose molecule to create glucose 6-phosphate, this phase actual results in a loss of energy since the phosphate comes from ATP and converts to ADP. Then the glucose 6-phosphate rearranges into fructose 6-phosphate where after another phosphate attaches creating fructose 1, 6-diphosphate and more energy is being used. This molecule then splits into two different molecules: dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. The dihydroxyacetone phosphate rearranges into glyceraldehyde phosphate since they are isomers (same amount of molecules in a different arrangement) the process then continues with 2 glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate molecules which turn into 2 molecules of 1, 3-bisphosphoglycerate which then loses a phosphate molecule to create 2 molecules of 3-Phosphoglycerate, which now creates 2 molecules of ATP (energy) for a net of 0 ATP created. These molecules then rearrange into 2 molecules of 2-Phosphoglycerate then it loses water and becomes phosphoenolpyruvic acid. Then the 2 molecules of phosphoenolpyruvic acid loses a phosphate which results in 2 ATPs created which is more energy created. Phosphoenolpyruvic acid then either transforms into Acetyl CoA, ethanol and carbon dioxide, or lactic acid. If it turns into Acetyl CoA it will then enter the Krebs cycle where a lot of energy is created because the molecules lose phosphate groups which results in ATP which is your primary energy source.