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.