Iowa State University Courses and Programs 1997-1999

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Biochemistry and Biophysics (B B)

B B 101. Introduction to Biochemical Activities. (1-0) Cr. 1. F. Research activities, career opportunities in biochemistry and biophysics, and an introduction to the structure of biologically important compounds.

B B 102. Introduction to Biochemistry. (0-2) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in Chem 177 and 177L. Fundamentals of biochemistry including biopolymers, biocatalysis, metabolism, and biochemical experiments. For majors and potential majors in biochemistry and biophysics.

B B 221. Structure and Reactions in Biochemical Processes. (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Chem 163, 167, or 177. Fundamentals necessary for an understanding of biochemical processes. Primarily for students in agriculture. Not acceptable for credit toward a major in biochemistry or biophysics. Credit for both 221 and Chem 231 and 331 may not be applied toward graduation.

B B 301. Survey of Biochemistry. (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: Chem 231 or 331. A survey of biochemistry: structure and function of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids; enzymology; metabolism; biosynthesis; and selected topics. Not acceptable for credit toward a major in biochemistry or biophysics. Credit for both 320 and 301 may not be applied toward graduation.

B B 311. Biochemistry Laboratory. (1-3) Cr. 2. F.S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 301 or Biol 302. Emphasis on isolation, characterization, and quantification of biological substances. Not acceptable for credit toward a major in biochemistry or biophysics. Materials fee.

B B 320. The Chemistry of Life. (2-0) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: Chem 331. Chemical basis of selected aspects of enzymology, metabolism, and molecular biology. For majors in biochemistry and biophysics; open to others desiring a sophisticated introduction to biochemistry. Credit for both 320 and 301; may not be applied toward graduation.

B B 398. Cooperative Education. Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of the department cooperative education coordinator; junior classification. Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

B B 404. Biochemistry. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Chem 332. A fundamental rigorous treatment for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in agricultural, biological, and nutritional sciences. Chemistry of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and nucleotides; enzymology; metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. Credit for both 420 and 404, 405; may not be applied toward graduation. Nonmajor graduate credit.

B B 405. Biochemistry. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 404. A fundamental rigorous treatment for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in agricultural, biological, and nutritional sciences. Metabolism of amino acids and nucleotides; lipid biosynthesis; synthesis, turnover and post-synthetic modification of DNA, RNA, and proteins; genetic code; regulation of gene expression; selected topics in molecular physiology. Credit for both 420 and 404, 405; may not be applied toward graduation. Nonmajor graduate credit.

B B 411. General Biochemical Research Techniques. (1-6) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 320 or credit or enrollment in 404 or 501,Chem 210 or 211. Introduction to laboratory techniques for studying biochemistry, including: chromatographic methods; electrophoresis; spectrophotometry; enzyme purification; enzyme kinetics; and characterization of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Materials fee. Nonmajor graduate credit.

B B 420. Physiological Chemistry. (4-0) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: Chem 332. Structure and function of proteins; enzymology; biological oxidation; chemistry and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleic acids; protein synthesis and the genetic code; relationship of biochemistry to selected animal diseases. Biochemistry of higher animals emphasized. Not acceptable for credit toward a major in agricultural biochemistry, biochemistry or biophysics. Credit for both 420 and 404, 405; may not be applied toward graduation. Nonmajor graduate credit.

B B 451. Physical Biochemistry. (2-0) Cr. 2. F. Prereq: Chem 331, Phys 112 or 222; a previous course in calculus is helpful but not required. Selected topics in physical chemistry in the context of applications to problems in biology, biochemistry and food sciences. Not acceptable for credit toward a major in biochemistry or biophysics. Nonmajor graduate credit.

B B 461. Topics in Biophysics. (2-0) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: 451 or Chem 321 or Phys 304. Biological phenomena viewed as problems in physics. Survey of selected topics such as bioenergetics, muscle contraction, nerve conduction, vision, and macromolecular behavior. Nonmajor graduate credit.

B B 490. Independent Study. F.S.SS. Cr. arr. Prereq: College of Agriculture: junior or senior classification and permission of instructor; a maximum of 6 credits of 490 may be applied toward graduation; College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: permission of instructor; no more than 9 credits of B B 490 may be counted toward graduation.

B B 498. Cooperative Education. Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of the department cooperative education coordinator; senior classification. Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

B B 499. Undergraduate Research. F.S.SS. Cr. 1 to 5. Prereq: Permission of staff member with whom student proposes to work. Research under senior staff guidance.

B B 501. General Biochemistry. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Chem 210 or 211, 322, and 332. Chemical composition of living matter and the chemistry of life processes. Chemical characterization of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleotides; membranes; muscle biochemistry; enzymology and co-enzymes; metabolism of carbohydrates; biological oxidations. For graduate students in biochemistry or chemistry, advanced undergraduates in biochemistry or chemistry and qualified students desiring a rigorous course.

B B 502. General Biochemistry. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 501. Chemical composition of living matter and the chemistry of life processes. Metabolism of lipids; membrane biochemistry; hormones; biosynthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins; genetic code; gene regulation; selected topics. For graduate students in biochemistry and biophysics, advanced undergraduates in biochemistry or chemistry, and qualified students desiring a rigorous course.

B B 503. Bioinorganic Chemistry. (Same as Chem 503.) See Chemistry.

B B 511. Topics in Experimental Biochemistry. (1-6) Cr. 1 per module. F.S. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 404 or 501, Chem 210 or 211. Modules include protein chemistry, isotopes in biochemistry, flow cytometry, monoclonal antibodies, and other basic laboratory modules on specialized topics. Taught as individual one-credit modules. Materials fee.

B B 520. Genetic Engineering. (Same as Gen 520.) See Genetics.

B B 521. Radiobiochemistry. (2-6) Cr. 2. S. 8 weeks. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 404 or 501 and credit in Chem 210 or 211. A laboratory course in biochemical uses of radioisotopes. Basic techniques for detecting and quantifying radioisotopes. Laboratory experience in such topics as radioimmunoassay, isotope dilution, radiolabeling of proteins, and isotopic studies of enzyme action. Materials fee.

B B 531. Structure and Reactivity of Biomolecules. (3-0) Cr. 1. F. Five weeks. Prereq: Chem 332. Special properties of reactive groups prevalent in biomolecules and reactions commonly encountered in biochemical studies. A study of reaction types and mechanisms in biochemistry.

B B 540. Signal Transduction. (Same as Zool 540.) See Zoology.

B B 541. Computational Biochemistry. (1-0) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Chem 322, Phys 222, Math166. Application of computers to problems in biochemistry.

B B 542. Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques. (Same as Zool 542.) See Zoology and Genetics.

B B 551. Molecular Biophysics. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 1997. Prereq: Chem 322. An examination of physical methods for the study of the molecular structure and organization of biological materials, with emphasis on applications. Spectroscopy, hydrodynamic methods, and X-ray diffraction.

B B 581. Seminar. (1-0) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Short presentations by students and discussion on assigned topics. For entering graduate students.

B B 590. Special Topics. F.S.SS. Cr. arr.

B B 593. Workshop in Biochemistry and Biophysics. Cr. 1. Offered as demand warrants. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Graduate workshops in selected topics in biochemistry and biophysics. Credit in this course does not meet the requirement for advanced graduate electives in Biochemistry.

B B 607. Plant Biochemistry. (2-0) Cr. 2. Alt. F., offered 1998. Thornburg, Nikolau. Prereq: 405 or 502. Description of unique aspects of plant biochemistry including lipid metabolism, cell wall structure, secondary metabolism, phytoalexin biosynthesis, and plant defenses.

B B 615. Molecular Immunology. (Same as Gen 615, MIPM 615.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 1998. Prereq: 405 or 502. Buss. Current topics in molecular aspects of immunology: T and B cell receptors; major histocompatibility complex; antibody structure; immunosuppressive drugs and viruses; intracellular signalling pathways leading to expression of genes that control and activate immune function.

B B 622. Carbohydrate Chemistry. (2-0) Cr. 2. Alt. S., offered 1998. Robyt. Prereq: 404 or 501. Structure, occurrence, properties, function, and chemical and enzymatic modifications of monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and glycoproteins.

B B 632. Kinetics of Enzyme Action. (2-0) Cr. 1 or 2. 8 or 16 weeks. Alt. S., offered 1999. Fromm. Prereq: 501. The one-credit version stresses the fundamentals of enzyme kinetics. Topics include integrated rate equations, methods for deriving initial-rate equations, inhibition, product effects, and methods for verifying kinetic mechanisms. The two-credit version covers the same material plus additional topics such as allostery, hysteresis, isotope effects, and complex kinetic mechanisms.

B B 642. Mechanisms of Enzymatic Catalysis. (2-0) Cr. 1. First 8 weeks. Alt. F., offered 1997. Metzler. Prereq: 404, 420, or 501. The chemical basis of enzymatic catalysis with emphasis on mechanisms of substrate recognition, general acid-base catalysis and stereoelectronic factors.

B B 643. Vitamins and Coenzymes. (2-0) Cr. 1. Second 8 weeks. Alt. F., offered 1997. Metzler. Prereq: 404, 420, or 501. Chemistry and function of vitamins, coenzymes, and prosthetic groups of enzymes.

B B 645. Molecular Endocrinology; Hormones and Growth Factors. (3-0) Cr. 2. Alt. S., offered 1999. Nilsen-Hamilton. Prereq: 405, 420, or 502. The endocrine system and mechanism of hormone and growth factor action with emphasis on receptors and signal transduction.

B B 650. Biochemical Thermodynamics. (2-0) Cr. 2. Offered every third year; next offered F. 1998. Applequist. Prereq: Chem 321. Biochemical phenomena such as metabolism, coupled reactions, denaturation of macromolecules, cooperativity, and membrane phenomena studied in the framework of thermodynamic principles.

B B 652. Protein Chemistry-Chemical Methods. (2-0) Cr. 1. 8 weeks. Alt. S., offered 1998. Graves. Prereq: 404 or 501. Chemical reactions as a means of determining protein structure and biological function.

B B 653. Protein Chemistry-Physical Methods. (2-0) Cr. 1. 8 weeks. Alt. S., offered 1998. Staff. Prereq: 404 or 501; 541 or familiarity with UNIX operating systems. Application of physical methods to protein structure and biological function.

B B 660. Membrane Biochemistry. (2-0) Cr. 2. Alt. F., offered 1997. Chitnis. Prereq: 405 or 502. Protein and lipid constituents of biological membranes. Structure and topography of membrane proteins. Selected topics concerning the membrane proteins involved in diverse biochemical processes, such as energy transduction transport across membranes, neurotransmission and signal transduction.

B B 670. Molecular Biology of Muscle. (Same as An S 670.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 1998. Huiatt, Robson, Stromer. Prereq: 405, 420, or 502. Ultrastructure of muscle; chemistry, structure, function, and molecular biology of muscle proteins. Molecular aspects of muscle contraction, development, and turnover. Cytoskeletal proteins and dynamics.

B B 675. Nucleic Acid Structure and Function. (Same as Gen 675.) (2-0) Cr. 2. Alt. F., offered 1998. Prereq: 405 or 502. Horowitz. Properties of nucleic acids; relationship of nucleic acid structure to function. Chemistry of nucleotides; the chemical reactivity of nucleic acids; analytical and separation methods; nucleases; sequence determination; synthesis of specific genes; nucleoproteins.

B B 676. Biochemistry of Gene Expression in Eucaryotes. (Same as MCDB 676.) (2-0) Cr. 2. Alt. S., offered 1998. Prereq: 404 or 501, 405 or 502 or Gen 511. Analysis of the biochemical processes involved in expression of eucaryotic genes and the regulation thereof, including RNA polymerase, transcriptional regulatory proteins, enhancers and silencers, chromosome structure, termination, RNA processing, RNA transport, RNA turnover, translational regulation, protein turnover.

B B 681. Advanced Seminar. Cr. 1 each time taken. F.S. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Student presentations.

B B 682. Departmental Seminar. Cr. R. F.S. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Staff and visitor presentations.

B B 696. Seminar in Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology. (Same as Bot 696.) See Botany.

B B 698. Seminar in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. (Same as MCDB 698.) See Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.

B B 699. Research. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

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