Introduction To Unit 1 - Important Topics To Study
Basically Biochemistry, with a tinge of chemistry knowledge as well. The biggest requirement to prepare this unit in detail is for its connection with other units. For e.g – proteins, you find them in almost all other units. So, if you skip this unit, you will face serious troubles with a lot of concepts and terms elsewhere. On the other hand, taking the time to prepare this unit well will actually help you connect the missing dots. You will get to know the exact reason behind the process of Molecular Biology or a technique under Unit 13. No doubt, it is the 1st unit of the syllabus!
UNIT 1. MOLECULES AND THEIR INTERACTION RELEVANT TO BIOLOGY
A. Structure of atoms, molecules and chemical bonds.
B Composition, structure and function of the biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and vitamins).
C. Stabilizing interactions (Van der Waals, electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction, etc.).
D Principles of biophysical chemistry (pH, buffer, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, colligative properties).
E. Bioenergetics, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, coupled reaction, group transfer, biological energy transducers.
F. Principles of catalysis, enzymes and enzyme kinetics, enzyme regulation, mechanism of enzyme catalysis, isozymes
G. Conformation of proteins (Ramachandran plot, secondary structure, domains, motif and folds).
H. Conformation of nucleic acids (helix (A, B, Z), t-RNA, micro-RNA).
I. Stability of proteins and nucleic acids.
J. Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids nucleotides and vitamins
IMPORTANT TOPICS FOR CSIR NET UNIT 1
- The stabilizing bonds between macromolecules, e.g – proteins and DNA (Van der Waals forces, Hydrogen bonds, and hydrophobic interactions.
- Amino acids structures and behavior according to the different R groups, properties such as chirality and terms such as isoelectric point, pka values.
- Protein conformations, dihedral bonds and Ramachandran plot, techniques to determine different conformations, and their sequencing.
- Protein folding thermodynamics, denaturation and biological function
- Enzyme kinetics (Vmax, MM equation km) is a must to study, along with inhibition processes, graphical representations, and formulas.
- Metabolic pathways of carbohydrates including glycolytic and TCA cycle steps, regulation (specially allosteric and feedback inhibition), enzymes cofactors involved and stoichiometry, ETC and ATP synthesis (along with inhibitors) (very important)
- Numerical questions on molarity, pH buffer and thermodynamic (delta G calculation in various cellular processes).
- Carbohydrate structure (concentrate on epimers, anomers, glycosidic bond formation and type of bond between di and polysaccharides, Glycosaminoglycan examples and function)
- Lipid structure with special emphasis on membrane lipids and adaptation to temperature
- Nucleic acid topology (Twist, Writhe, Linking number) and structure and nucleotide biosynthesis
If you want to refer to reference books do check our e-library for the below books:
REFERENCE BOOKS For CSIR NET UNIT 1
- Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry by David L. Nelson and Michael M. Cox
- Biochemistry by Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet
- Biochemistry Hardcover by Lubert Stryer
- ENZYMES: Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Clinical Chemistry by Trevor Palmer
