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Molecular Biology 3 Description
(v1 as of 3/15/08)
Biology 110651, 2008, 10th-12th grade BCA with Dr. Don DeWitt in room 227
M & Th, Mods 13-15
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Course Overview:
This course is an ELECTIVE course for any BCA student and may be taken during the sophomore through senior year. This course is usually taken as three consecutive trimester independent courses during the same year (Tri. 1: Mol. Bio. 1; Tri. 2: Mol. Bio. 2; and Tri. 3: Mol. Bio. 3).  Mol. Bio. 4 is run to cover photosynthesis during the following year during Trimester 1. Each course will be shown on the student transcript as a separate course.  Please visit the Molecular Biology Experience webpage for more details. Warning:  This is a very demanding course and should be taken by students who are very serious about the following topics.  The material presented in this course is explored at a level of sophistication equal to that found in college.  It is advisable that all pre-pre-med / vet / dental students take this course to enable them to be comfortable with the topics when they are required to study them in college.  In addition, any student who is interested in cellular or molecular biology, biochemistry or genetic engineering should take this course.

Finding Information about Mol. Bio.  A massive website has been developed for the Molecular Biology Experience. Each trimester as you explore the course, you will use the website extensively. At the top of the page is the website URL for Mol. Bio. 3. However the Main Menu for the entire series of courses can be found at: http://users.bergen.org/dondew/bio/molbio/molbiology.html.

At any Mol. Bio. website, you will find a symbol for the SiteMAP  which if clicked will take you to a very useful index for all of the Mol. Bio. courses and any part within each course.  Try it, use it, be happy!

The most valuable aspect of the Mol. Bio. Experience, according to AAST alumni, has been the comfort level that it gives the student when they meet the material again. Instead of panicking, these students relate that the college course has been much easier to withstand.  Many of them have become teachers for their clueless fellow students.

Pre-requisite: at least concurrent enrollment in Biology (for AAST / AEDT students) or satisfactory completion of a one year biology course (AMST / ABCT / AVAGC/ ACA / APT.)  The completion of at least one year of chemistry is recommended.  NOTE: Mol. Bio. 3 may be taken by students who have completed 1) Mol. Bio. 1 and 2, or 2) Anatomy & Physiology (trimester 1).

Molecular Bio 3 Specifics:
Through the course of study about cellular metabolism, each student becomes acquainted with how living organisms process energy originally obtained from the sun and ultimately transformed into the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which can be used by any type of cell as an energy source to accomplish cell work. This material is found in chapters 3, 4 and 13 in the Cell Biology text as well as classroom presentations by the instructor.  Each student then uses these information sources to answer a series of take-home and in-class assessments.  The orientation of this course is a simulation of a college course.  Class note-taking skills are emphasized.  No research papers are assigned during this trimester.  Take-home exams as well as in-class exams are used as assessment tools. Valuable resources are available via the internet.

 The major foci of the trimester are enzymatic processes, anaerobic metabolism, and aerobic cellular respiration.
Objectives:
Upon the successful completion of the study of Molecular Biology 3 the student will be able to: (Click here for Assessment DETAILS: Catabolism)
  • differentiate between the processes of anabolism, catabolism and metabolism.
  • describe the role of nucleotides in metabolism including:
    • acetylCoenzyme A (acetylCoA / CoA)
      • structures
      • how acetylCoA is used to transfer energy from glycolysis or beta oxidation to the Krebs cycle
      • location of
        • the synthesis of acetylCoA from two-carbon groups and CoA
        • where acetylCoA transfers an acetyl group to the Krebs cycle
    • adenosine di- (ADP) and triphosphate (ATP) 
      • structures
      • how ATP is made from ADP, Phosphate (Pi) and another source of chemical energy
      • location of 
        • the synthesis of ATP from ADP and Pi 
        • where ATP is used for cellular work
    • flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD / FADH2)
      • structures
      • how FADH2 is used to transfer energy from the Krebs cycle to electron transport
      • location of
        • the synthesis of FADH2 from FAD and 2 H+
        • where FADH2 is used to transfer energy
    • nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD+ / NADH)
      • structures
      • how NADH is used to transfer energy from glycolysis and the Krebs cycle to electron transport
      • location of
        • the synthesis of NADH from NAD+ and H+
        • where NADH is used to transfer energy
  • describe the details and the role of
    • beta-oxidation of fats in aerobic organisms in mitochondria and peroxisomes.
    • protein catabolism for use in energy metabolism.
    • the Krebs cycle (a.k.a., citric acid cycle) in aerobic organisms.
    • electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation in aerobic and photosynthetic organisms
    • FoF1 complexes in metabolism
    • oxygen, carbon dioxide and water in metabolism
    • creatine / creatine phosphate (C/CP) use in skeletal muscle to transfer energy quickly to the contraction machinery
  • describe mitochondrial structure including the specific locations of the biochemical pathways listed in the previous goals
  • explain how enzymes
    • function
    • contribute to metabolism
    • are controlled in metabolism
Assignments:
During the study of metabolism, students will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of concepts by: The percentage value of each assignment and its due date may be determined by clicking on the Assignment Due Dates arrow or the Assignment Details arrow below.  Formatting rules are available also.
Additional Information:
Attendance: 
Please refer to the Attendance Policy for Mol. Bio.
Paper Textbook:
We are using BIOLOGY, 6th ed. by Neil Campbell and Jane Reece, 2002. This book is a standard freshman biology college textbook and is used by our Advanced Placement Biology course.
Electronic textbook resources:
Few electronic books similar to those used in Mol. Bio. 1 & 2 are available in Mol. Bio. 3.  Your textbook and class notes are your survival resources.  If you just can't get away from a DeWitt written electronic textbook, you will find a number of interesting webpages that I have written on metabolism here: Mol Bio 3 Supplements

Internet resources:

Are now located on their on webpage at: Internet Mol. Bio. 3
Contact me at: dondew   at   bergen.org