Southwestern University PHINMA

School of Medicine
Course Outline

PEN Code: MED 102 Credit: 6 units - lecture

PEN Subject Title: Biochemistry Prerequisite: None

A. Subject Description:
This course focuses on the study of the normal biochemical processes occurring in living things. It is the interface
between cellular biology, medicine and chemistry and gives an overview understanding of how the human body functions,
the molecular changes that result in disease and how this knowledge may be applied to the practice of medicine.

B. Specific Objectives:
At the end of the course, you should be able to:
1. Express a good understanding of the core areas of chemistry and biochemistry and will be capable of applying
chemical principles to biological systems
2. Explain the importance of ATP and oxidative phosphorylation
3. Describe how enzymes work and know the vital role of enzymes in metabolic functions
4. Enumerate the different macronutrients and micronutrients of the body and correlate its deficiencies/toxicities
to the effects it will bring to the human body
5. Explain and illustrate the different metabolic pathways and correlate any deviation of the metabolic event to a
probably disease process
6. Explain what are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleotides and how they are metabolized in the body
7. Discuss hormone action and signal transduction in the body
8. Illustrate the dogma of molecular biology and describe how DNA replication, transcription and translation to
protein takes place
9. Explain the functions and role of immunoglobulins, the red blood cells and white blood cells
10. Describe the biochemical principles of xenobiotics, aging and cancer

C. Subject Outline and Time Allotment:

Module Topics/Activities Schedule

Aug 5
 Orientation and Overview of House Rules and Regulations
(1 week)

Unit 1: Introduction to Biochemistry

 Basics in Organic Chemistry
 Water and Acids, Bases and Buffers
 Introduction to Carbohydrates, Lipids and Amino Acids Aug 12, 13
1  Introduction to Nucleotides Aug 19, 20
 Introduction to Proteoglycans, Glycoproteins and Glycolipids (2 weeks)

ACTIVITIES:
Lecture, Interactive Discussion, Seatwork
Unit 2: Respiratory System Block

 Bioenergetics: The Role of ATP Aug 27

 Biologic Oxidation and the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle (TCA) Sept 2, 3
2
 The Respiratory Chain and Oxidative Phosphorylation (ATP) Sept 9, 10
(3 weeks)
ACTIVITIES:
Lecture, Interactive Discussion, Group Work

1
 Unit 3: Cardiovascular System Block
Sept 16, 17
 Introduction to Enzymes and Its General Properties Sept 23, 24
 Enzyme Kinetics Sept 30, Oct 1
3  Enzyme Regulation and Inhibition (3 weeks)
 Medical Importance of Enzymes

ACTIVITIES:
Lecture, Video Presentation, Group Work
Unit 4: Digestive System and Nutrition Block
 Overview of Metabolism
 Nutrition, Digestion and Absorption
 Micronutrients: Vitamins and Minerals
Oct 7, 8
 Glycolysis and Oxidation of Pyruvate
Oct 14, 15
 Glycogen Metabolism
4 Oct 21, 22
 Gluconeogenesis and Control of Blood Glucose
Oct 28, 29
 The Pentose Phosphate Pathway and Other Pathways of Hexose
(4 weeks)
Metabolism

ACTIVITIES:
Lecture, Interactive Discussion, Video Presentation, Seatwork
Unit 5: Renal and Genitourinary System Block
 Metabolism of Proteins and Amino Acids
 Biosynthesis and Catabolism of Proteins and Amino Acids
Nov 4, 5
 Conversion of Amino Acids to Specialized Products
Nov 11, 12
5  Porphyrins and Bile Pigments
Nov 18, 19
(3 weeks)
ACTIVITIES:
Lecture, Interactive Discussion, Assignment Work

Unit 6: Endocrine & Reproductive System Block

 The Diversity of the Endocrine System
 Hormone Action and Signal Transduction
Nov 25, 26
 Metabolism of Lipids
Dec 2, 3
 Ketogenesis: Oxidation of Fatty Acids
Dec 9, 10
6  Biosynthesis of Fatty Acids and Eicosanoids
Dec 16, 17
 Lipid Transport and Storage
Jan 6, 7
 Cholesterol Synthesis, Transport and Excretion
(5 weeks)
ACTIVITIES:
Lecture, Interactive Discussion, Video Presentation, Group Work
Unit 7: Skin and Neuromusculoskeletal System Block
 Metabolism of Purine and Pyrimidine Nucleotides
Jan 13, 14
 Nucleic Acid Structure and Function
Jan 21
 DNA Organization, Replication and Repair
Jan 27, 28
 RNA Synthesis, Processing and Modification
Feb 3, 4
7  Protein Synthesis and the Genetic Code
Feb 10, 11
 Molecular Genetics, Recombinant DNA and Genomic Technology
Feb 17, 18
 Clinical Biochemistry
Mar 2, 3
(8 weeks)
ACTIVITIES:
Lecture, Interactive Discussion, Seatwork

2
 Unit 8: Immunology and Hematology System Block
 Plasma Proteins and Immunoglobulins Mar 9, 10
8  Red Blood Cells Mar 16, 17
 White Blood Cells (2 weeks)
 Hemostasis and Thrombosis

ACTIVITIES:
Lecture, Interactive Discussion, Video Presentation
Unit 8: Special Topics

 The Biochemistry of Xenobiotics

Mar 23, 24
 The Biochemistry of Cancer
Mar 30, 31
8  The Biochemistry of Aging
(2 weeks)
ACTIVITIES:
Lecture, Interactive Discussion, Video Presentation

Study Period Apr 1 – Apr

17, 2019
BIOCHEMISTRY COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
April 20, 2019

D. Textbook: Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry, 30th Edition

E. Other References:
Swanson, T. et. Al., 2010. BRS: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics 5 th Edition.
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

F. Grading System:

G. Contact Information

Cecille Camille N. Init-Ubod MD Julius P. Mario RMT, PhD

Email add: cciubodswusm@gmail.com Email add: jpmario@swu.edu.ph.
Contact number: 091975932936 Contact number: 09239123034

Nikki Gigi Legaspi RMT, MD Fabito D. Monsanto MD, FPAAB

Email add: legaspi.nikki@gmail.com Email add: fabitomonsanto@gmail.com
Contact number: 09088639602 Contact number: 09152889155

Peter S. Aznar MD, FPSP, MHPE

Dean’s Name and Signature