The Wonders of the Molecules of Life

Course title: The Wonders of the Molecules of Life

Course subtitle:

Students will gain knowledge about the types of the molecules of life and their marvelous cooperation to establish and maintain life.

What you'll learn

By the end of this course, you will become acquainted with the amazing and astonishing unseen world of the molecules of life, which are essential for life to start and continue.

You will learn the main types and structures and functions of the molecules of life and how they cooperate with each other in marvelous ways to make us living beings.

Furthermore, you will enjoy learning about the incredible secrets hidden in the microscopic world of biomolecules, and how they work with unbelievable level of efficiency, dedication and accuracy to maintain life.

You will also benefit from learning about the nature of the molecules of life in your future advanced science courses preparing you for a better career. In addition, you will gain more insights about the molecules of life roles in health and disease, which can help you to take the proper precautions to prevent disease and enjoy healthy life.

Course content

This course is composed of 7 sections, 13 lectures (each is about 5-13min), having a duration of about 2 hours total length.

Section 1: Course introduction (22:35 min)

Lecture 1: Course overview (5:19 min)

· Introducing the instructor

· Introducing the course

· Defining the target course learners

Lecture 2: Basic concepts I (11:08 min)

· Atoms, molecules and ions

· Chemical bonds

· Polar molecules

· Hydrophilic and hydrophobic

· Monomers and polymers

Lecture 3: Basic concepts II (6:08 min)

· Functional groups

· Organic molecules

· General cell structure and function

Section 2: Introduction to the world of the molecules of life (6:12 min)

Lecture 4: The main types and roles of the molecules of life, 6:12 min

You'll learn:

· The main types of the molecules of life

· The main functions and roles of the molecules of life

· How the molecules of life cooperate to make us living beings

Section 3: The wonders of Nucleic acids (23:34 min)

Lecture 5: DNA the book of life (12:55 min)

· Definition of DNA

· DNA structure and functions

· DNA replication

Lecture 6: RNA the helper molecule (10:39 min)

· RNA structure

· RNA types and functions

· Transcription process

· Genetic code

· Translation process

· Gene expression

Section 4: The wonders of proteins (24:25 min)

Lecture 7: Protein structures (12:15 min)

· Amino acids the building blocks of proteins

· Primary structure

· Secondary structure

· Tertiary structure

· Quaternary structure

Lecture 8: Protein functions (12:10 min)

· The general functions of proteins

· Catalysis function

· Regulatory function

· Communication function

· Transporting function

Section 5: The wonders of Carbohydrates (18:13 min)

Lecture 9: Carbohydrates structures (7:19 min)

· Monosaccharides

· Disaccharides

· Polysaccharides

Lecture 10: Carbohydrates functions (10:54 min)

· Carbohydrates as short and intermediate energy sources

· Carbohydrates as structural elements (glycosaminoglycans)

· Carbohydrates as communication agents (glycoprotein receptors)

Section 6: The Wonders of lipids (16:18min)

Lecture 11: Lipids structures (8:14 min )

· Triglycerides

· Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids

· Polyunsaturated fatty acids

· Phospholipids

· Steroids

Lecture 12: Lipids functions (8:04 min )

· Lipids as long-term energy sources

· Lipids as structural elements (membrane phospholipids)

· Lipids as communication agents (steroid hormones)

Section 7: Health and disease (10:51 min)

Lecture 13: The molecules of life in health and disease (10:51 min)

· Sickle cell anemia

· Diabetes

Requirements

An interest and curiosity to learn about the molecules of life and the wonderous amazing work they do in our bodies to make us living beings.

Description

Biochemistry is a scientific branch that may seem difficult and may make you feel apprehensive to learn about. The wonders of the molecules of life course provides a very simplified overview of biochemistry, and takes you to a trip into the microscopic world of the molecules of life residing in our bodies, to help you gain a better understanding of the molecules of life and enjoy the amazing secrets of life they perform all the times.

Gain Better, Easier and Deeper Understanding of the Basic Biochemistry Concepts

· DNA sequence, base paring, DNA complementarity, and DNA structure

· DNA replication, transcription, and translation processes

· Genetic information, genes, and genetic code

· Protein hierarchy and different levels of protein structure

· General functions of proteins (catalysis, regulatory, communication and transporting functions)

· Monosaccharides, disaccharides, homopolysaccharides and heteropolysaccharides structures

· General functions of carbohydrates (short and intermediate energy sources, structural elements, communication agents)

· Triglycerides, phospholipids and steroids structures

· General functions of lipids (long term as energy sources, structural elements and communication agents)

Dive into the Microscopic World of the Molecules of Life

This course focus on simplifying the complex biochemistry concepts using everyday language, and analogies to describe and simplify events and interactions in the amazing microscopic world of the molecules of life, stressing their marvelous and incredible roles.

This course is designed for students learning biochemistry or biology, whether in high school or college levels, who need to gain a better understanding of the basic concepts of biochemistry. Also, the course is suitable for the nonspecialized individuals who have interest to learn about the chemistry of life and how it affects our lives in health and disease times.

The basic simplified knowledge provided in the course will help you to better advance in higher biochemistry, biology, or medical courses, and provide you with better career opportunities. Furthermore, the knowledge gained in this course will improve your understanding to the link between biochemistry and health and disease and give you the opportunity to take steps toward disease prevention and maintaining a healthy life.

Content and overview

This course contains 7 sections, 13 lectures (each is about 5-13 min), having a duration of about 2 hours total length.

This course begins with a general introduction to review some of the basic concepts and ideas needed to facilitate learning the rest of the lectures. This will be followed by a general introduction about and the molecules of life which are responsible for establishing and maintaining life. The following lectures will focus on simplified descriptions of each type of the molecules of life in terms of structure and functions and the wonderous work they do in our bodies. Finally, examples of the roles of molecules of life in health and disease will be illustrated.

The course content is presented in short pre-recorded videos (5- 13 min) containing images illustrating and simplifying concepts and ideas.

Your knowledge will be tested using multiple choice quizzes.

By the end of this course, you will have the basic knowledge needed to understand, and enjoy the wonderous world of biochemistry. This in turn, will help you to excel in future advanced courses of biochemistry, biology and other medical courses.

Who this course is for:

· High school, college students learning biochemistry, biology, and related medical and pharmaceutical courses.

· Science teachers

· Parents interested to share knowledge

· Individuals having the interest and curiosity to dig into the world of the molecules of life.