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Biochemistry

CHEM450 | 4 Credits

Biochemistry gives you an introduction to the chemistry of life. You'll explore how biomolecules like proteins, lipids, and DNA are structured and function, and how cells regulate energy use and metabolism to stay alive and responsive.

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$99 + membership
87% Average Pass Rate
36 Day Average Completion
$47.3 Million Saved on Healthcare Tuition
ACE-RECOMMENDED 2025

About Biochemistry

What You’ll Learn

Our Biochemistry online course is designed to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of biochemistry.

  • Identify weak interactions in aqueous systems, ionizations of water, and buffers against pH changes in biological systems.
  • Contrast primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures of proteins and their effects on binding and interactions.
  • Sort monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, and glycoconjugates.
  • Understand nucleic acid structure and chemistry.
  • Contrast the functions and features of lipids when acting as signals, cofactors, and pigments.
  • Understand the relationship of membrane dynamics with their composition and architecture.
  • Explain how the G Protein, gated ion channels, regulation of transcription and cell cycle achieve biochemical signaling.
  • Identify the effects of bioenergetics and thermodynamics on metabolism.
  • Explain the role of glycogen and glycolysis in metabolic pathways.
  • Articulate the citric acid cycle.
  • Understand the digestion, mobilization, and transport of fats.
  • Articulate the role of ATP in oxidative phosphorylation.
  • Explain the biosynthesis of fatty acids, triacylglycerols and membrane phospholipids.
  • Understand the role of hormone regulation on metabolism.
  • Articulate how genes, chromosomes, DNA, RNA, and other proteins are used as information pathways.

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Course Details

CHEM450
Biochemistry
4 Credits

Concepts from the structure and function of biomolecules to the regulation of cellular metabolism are discussed during this online Biochemistry course for college credit.

ACE-Recommended

The American Council on Education (ACE) evaluates and recommends college credit for courses taken outside traditional degree programs. StraighterLine courses are ACE Credit®-recommended, which means they are transferable to over 3,000 colleges and universities nationwide.

ACE Code:

OOSL-0114

Flexible Schedule

36-day Average Course Completion

Healthcare Courses Have Transferred Over 43,400 Times

$47,300,000 Saved on Healthcare Tuition

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take Biochemistry. Completion of Organic Chemistry I and II or their equivalent is strongly encouraged, though not required.

 

Course Text 

No need to track down a textbook; these texts are provided digitally as part of the course enrollment:

 
  • Nelson, David L., et al. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. 8th ed., Macmillan Learning, 2021.
 

Course Checkpoints

Checkpoint 1: The Foundations of Biochemistry

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 1 Reading Assignment: Chapter 1
  • The Foundations of Biochemistry
  • Checkpoint 1: Chapter 1: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 2: Water, the Solvent of Life

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 2 Reading Assignment: Chapter 2
  • Water: The Solvent of Life
  • Checkpoint 2: Chapter 2: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 3: Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 3 Reading Assignment: Chapter 3
  • Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins
  • Checkpoint 3: Chapter 3: Video Playlist
  • Checkpoint 3: Chapter 3: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 4: The Three-Dimensional Structure of Proteins

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 4 Reading Assignment: Chapter 4
  • The Three Dimensional Structure of Proteins
  • Checkpoint 4: Chapter 4: Video Playlist
  • Checkpoint 4: Chapter 4: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 5: Protein Function

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 5 Reading Assignment: Chapter 5
  • Protein Function
  • Checkpoint 5: Chapter 5: Video Playlist
  • Checkpoint 5: Chapter 5: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 6: Enzymes

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 6 Reading Assignment: Chapter 6
  • Enzymes
  • Checkpoint 6: Chapter 6: Video Playlist
  • Checkpoint 6: Chapter 6: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 7: Carbohydrates and Glycobiology

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 7 Reading Assignment: Chapter 7
  • Carbohydrates and Glycobiology
  • Checkpoint 7: Chapter 7: Concept Map

Checkpoint 8: Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 8 Reading Assignment: Chapter 8
  • Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids
  • Checkpoint 8: Chapter 8: Video Playlist
  • Checkpoint 8: Chapter 8: Concept Map

Checkpoint 9: Lipids

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 9 Reading Assignment: Chapter 10
  • Lipids
  • Checkpoint 0: Chapter 10: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 10: Biological Membranes and Transport

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 10 Reading Assignment: Chapter 11
  • Biological Membranes and Transport
  • Checkpoint 10: Chapter 11: Video Playlist
  • Checkpoint 10: Chapter 11: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 11: Biochemical Signaling

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 11 Reading Assignment: Chapter 12
  • Biochemical Signaling
  • Checkpoint 11: Chapter 12: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 12: Introduction to Metabolism

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 12 Reading Assignment: Chapter 13
  • Introduction to Metabolism
  • Checkpoint 12: Chapter 13: Video Playlist
  • Checkpoint 12: Chapter 13: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 13: Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, and the Pentose Phosphate Pathway

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 13 Reading Assignment: Chapter 14
  • Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, and the Pentose Phosphate Pathway
  • Checkpoint 13: Chapter 14: Video Playlist
  • Checkpoint 13: Chapter 14: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 14: The Metabolism of Glycogen in Animals

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 14 Reading Assignment: Chapter 15
  • The Metabolism of Glycogen in Animals
  • Checkpoint 14: Chapter 15: Video Playlist
  • Checkpoint 14: Chapter 15: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 15: The Citric Acid Cycle

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 15 Reading Assignment: Chapter 16
  • The Citric Acid Cycle
  • Checkpoint 15: Chapter 16: Video Playlist
  • Checkpoint 15: Chapter 16: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 16: Fatty Acid Catabolism

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 16 Reading Assignment: Chapter 17
  • Fatty Acid Catabolism
  • Checkpoint 16: Chapter 17: Video Playlist
  • Checkpoint 16: Chapter 17: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 17: Oxidative Phosphorylation

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 17 Reading Assignment: Chapter 19
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation
  • Checkpoint 17: Chapter 19: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 18: Lipid Biosynthesis

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 18 Reading Assignment: Chapter 21
  • Lipid Biosynthesis
  • Checkpoint 18: Chapter 21: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 19: Biosynthesis of Amino Acids, Nucleotides, and Related Molecules

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 19 Reading Assignment: Chapter 22
  • Biosynthesis of Amino Acids, Nucleotides, and Related Molecules
  • Checkpoint 19: Chapter 22: Video Playlist
  • Checkpoint 19: Chapter 22: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 20: Hormonal Regulation and Integration of Mammalian Metabolism

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 20 Reading Assignment: Chapter 23
  • Hormonal Regulation and Integration of Mammalian Metabolism
  • Checkpoint 20: Chapter 23: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 21: Genes and Chromosomes

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 21 Reading Assignment: Chapter 24
  • Genes and Chromosomes
  • Checkpoint 21: Chapter 24: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 22: DNA Metabolism

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 22 Reading Assignment: Chapter 25
  • DNA Metabolism
  • Checkpoint 22: Chapter 25: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 23: RNA Metabolism

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 23 Reading Assignment: Chapter 26
  • RNA Metabolism
  • Checkpoint 23: Chapter 26: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 24: Protein Metabolism

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 24 Reading Assignment: Chapter 27
  • Protein Metabolism
  • Checkpoint 24: Chapter 27: Concept Map Activity

Checkpoint 25: Regulation of Gene Expression

  • Textbook: Checkpoint 25 Reading Assignment: Chapter 28
  • Regulation of Gene Expression
  • Checkpoint 25: Chapter 28: Concept Map Activity

Assignments & Grading 

Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.

Assignments for this course include:

  • 25 Checkpoints
  • 6 Benchmarks

This course has an open-book Final Benchmark. No calculators are permitted.

What You’ll Need 

  • A reliable computer or laptop
  • Stable internet connection
  • Web browser
  • Basic computer skills
  • Any required course materials

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I had a GREAT experience using Straighterline. All of my credits (78) transferred to my university and cut my time in school in half. The classes were structured well, allowing for an accelerated or slower pace, the platform is user-friendly. Loved my experience.

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Love Learning Again

I forgot how much I love learning until I found StraighterLine! The lesson outlines are very helpful, and my understanding of the course material has been vastly expanded. I look forward to taking more courses with StraighterLine.

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Launching Your Healthcare Journey

Biochemistry helps you understand life at the molecular level from how cells produce energy to how enzymes, DNA, and proteins work together to keep us alive. Whether you're heading into healthcare, research, or biotech, this course gives you the scientific foundation employers and graduate programs are looking for.

Why it matters:

  • Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industries, with 1.8 million new jobs expected between 2022 and 2032.
  • Biochemistry helps you understand life at the molecular level — an essential skill for careers where you need to understand how the body works at a chemical level.

How this course sets you up for success:

Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse, Physical Therapist Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Medical Assistant, Radiologic Technologist, Surgical Technologist, and Paramedic/EMT

How this course sets you up for success:

Biochemistry is an important step in your science education, whether you’re aiming for lab research or clinical work. Build a strong foundation for a rewarding career in healthcare and science today.

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