Course Contents

Introduction: Definition and concept of life. Chemical basis of life. Structure and the basis of function, Chemical diversity, Functional groups in functional diversity, Molecules of life and Polymerization; carbohydrates, lipids, Proteins, Phospholipids in membrane systems, Polypeptides in protein diversity, Enzymes as molecular tools in chemical transformations. Nucleic acids; the molecule of genetic information, Origin of replication. Origin of life. Chemical evolution, Origin of metabolism. Protobionts, Origin of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Introduction to cell biology, overview of structure and function of cell organelles. Cell division. Diversity in life (classification and phylogenetic relationships) Kingdom Prokaryotae, Protista, Fungi, Plantae and Kingdom Animalia; Phylogenetic tree, Overview and salient features of each category.

Course Learning Outcomes

The course aims to: 1. Provides a ground and wide range coverage to principles of life with particular emphasis on chemical basis of life and polymerization of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. 2. Define the role of enzymes and phenomenon of hereditary transformation. 3. Describe the concept of origin of life and diversity in life including classification and phylogenetic relationships between various Kingdom, Phyla and Classes.