Chemical Processes in Human Life

Chemical compounds enter the body. They are breathed in, swallowed or (more rarely) absorbed through the skin. Many are vital to the processes listed above. Some are ‘foreign’ to the body and can lead to illness or disease. Once in the body chemical compounds undergo conventional chemical reactions such as neutralization, hydrolysis, oxidation and reduction.

However, they are not random. Instead each is part of a metabolic pathway. Metabolism can be: anabolism, with anabolic pathways which build molecules in the body, or catabolism, with catabolic pathways which break molecules down in the body.

All are controlled by a group of proteins called enzymes. Enzymes are biochemical catalysts that alter the rate of reactions. However, unlike most chemical catalysts, enzymes are highly selective and only promote specific reactions. This course would basically look into different chemical systems in the body.

At the end of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Discuss the functionality of Biological macromolecules
2. Explain the principles of cells and chemical processes

Course Curriculum