Reflecting back on the course, what are the three major themes you would identify that connect the various topics discussed in this course – how are t

As discussed earlier in this blog, the subject of Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes in living organisms. This knowledge along with other science disciplines gives us the tools we need to fully understand the biological processes and their purposes. This course focused on the three major themes of the structure, the function and the connection between biomolecules.

With each biomolecule we studied we began with the structure of each one individually. If there is one thing that I know that I will always remember from Dr. K’s lectures, it is that “structure determines function”. She said this many times in organic chemistry and she repeated it in biochemistry. So clearly, an understanding of structure is necessary for the understanding of function. Proteins were discussed in detail because proteins make up many of the biomolecules that are important in many of the biological processes. The structure of a protein is very important in the way that it will react with other molecules. In fact it is the way that these molecules react with each other that give us the chemical reactions necessary for life. We also discussed carbohydrates and sugars. The structure of these molecules is different and the different structures are important in how they will provide energy for the cell.

Function was also discussed in detail. We studied how enzymes catalyze reactions and how the structure of an enzyme determines what it will catalyze. We studied how DNA holds genetic code, replicates and translates. The function of DNA is important in relaying information necessary for life to proceed. Lipids were discussed as well. These molecules have an important function of providing energy and storing it in a way that allows the organism to be still mobile and productive.

Finally we studied the connection between all of these biomolecules. The metabolic processes took all of these biomolecules and showed how they proceed through many chemical reactions to provide energy and store energy necessary for life. When we were discussing ATP Synthase in oxidative phosphorylation it was stressed that F0 and F1 were both necessary for ATP production to be successful. Like F0 and F1 it is necessary for all of these biomolecules to be present and react with one another for life to continue. It is when one of these processes is not functioning properly or its structure has been modified that we develop disease or death of an organism. It is true that all systems affect one another from the top of your head all the way to your toes.

Biochemistry showed us what these biomolecules look like, how they behave and how they work together to provide the necessary reactions for life. This understanding and knowledge will be valuable when we continue our journeys into the scientific world that we are all heading for.

Answers to presentation questions

Thank you all for your nice comments regarding my oral presentation. I am going to try to answer the questions that you asked.

1. Do acids play a role in the predisposition of getting cavities? Will all that consume acids get cavities or is this related to genes or a combination of both?
The process of getting decay is also related to the amount of time that the tooth is exposed to the acids. If someone consumes one soda a day with there lunch (over a 15-20 minute period) compared to someone else that consumes the same one soda a day but, leaves it at their desk and sips it every 20 minutes or so. The person sipping the soda will have far more decay than the person that drinks it down in 15 minutes. This is because the sipper is constantly bathing the teeth in acids throughout the day.
As far as being predisposed to decay, it is true that some individuals or cultures have lower decay rates. This is due to the hardness of the enamel as well as diet. As I mentioned in my presentation, communities with higher levels of fluoride have harder enamel and are then less likely to develop decay.

2. Should people without city water supplement their fluoride?
As a child with un-erupted teeth, fluoride supplement is recommended to help harden the now forming permanent teeth. Once the tooth is erupted into the mouth the only way that fluoride is beneficial is through topical use, such as: fluoride treatments at the dentist or through use of fluoride toothpaste or mouth rinses. If you are not on city water it is very important to have your water tested for natural fluoride before any supplement is given to a child. Too much fluoride can result in discoloring of the teeth ranging from white spots to brown spots depending on how much fluoride is given.

3. How long does it take for tooth to decay?
It will vary for all individuals. It depends on hardness of enamel, level of pH and the amount of time the tooth is exposed.

4. Where can I get xylitol?
My best suggestion is to ask your dentist for a toothpaste that contains xylitol. Keep reading the ingredients, in time you will find over the counter toothpastes containing xylitol.

5. What type of bacteria occurs in cases that require root canals?
When a tooth is in need of a root canal it is because the center of the tooth, where the nerve and blood supply of the tooth are, have been infected with bacteria. This is often due to a large amount of decay. Since this is inside the tooth, there is not very much oxygen available and the bacteria involved are likely anaerobic.

I hope that I have answered everyone’s questions.