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

If I had to choose three major themes to describe this course would be the production of energy, production of enzymes, and the storage mechanisms in cells. These are connected to many aspects of the course such as glycolysis and the citric acid cycle for energy production and the many intermediate enzymes used in the various cycles and processes. There was also a lot of talk about metabolism which involved many storage mechanisms within both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. And metabolism is the production of energy which was discussed throughout the course.
I learned a lot about these three different aspects though as I did not know how much is put into the production of energy and all of the various steps involved in energy producing processes and all of the enzymes and substances involved in each step. Also these enzymes are always very specific too which is extremely important for the processes to be successful. And that storage mechanisms like glycogen which is used for long term storage of energy. I would say that in all these three topics cover a good deal of what is discussed in biochemistry.

How would you explain the connection between glucose entering the body and energy created by the body to a friend, using your new biochemistry knowled

If i had to explain to a friend the relationship between glucose entering the body and energy being made by first telling them that the conversion of glucose into energy by the body is done by a process called glycolysis. Glycolysis takes a glucose which is a simple sugar and converts it into pyruvate which is an organic acid used in many different processes. The whole process takes place in ten reactions with ten intermediate compounds. The intermediate compounds are important through out the process because they provide entry points for glycolysis to occur. And that all through the process free energy is being made and that it is this free energy that is so important to the body because it is used in making high energy molecules such as ATP and NADH. And both of those substances are involved in many cellular processes.

What knowledge i have connected with past knowledge 2.

There was a few new things introduced in biochemistry lecture. A few of these topics are subjects that i had touched on previously but just glanced over very quickly and didn't really get much from it. But after a few lectures I have been able to tie things together from what I had previously learned. For example when going over glycolysis I remembered talking about the process in other bio classes and hearing about the different intermediates used in the process but never knew the importance of these at all. The intermediates are an access point for glycolysis to occur and that things such as monosaccharides are converted to one of these intermediates to allow it to go through glycolysis.
Another concept i was able to better understand was the citric acid cycle. I was not aware that it was so important and used in all cells that use a form of oxygen for respiration. And that in aerobic organisms the process is very important in the conversion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into a usable energy source.