What knowledge have you connected with past knowlege?

I remember taking my first college science course, General Biology I and kept asking myself "Why do I need to know this?".  As I continue to take more in depth science classes, I now know the answer to my own question.  Each course goes beyond the basic knowledge I learned from my first college science class.  Even though each course covers a different subject, important information has come together to help me understand the overall picture.  Biochemistry continues to draw the overall picture.  It has helped me to see how chemistry and biology and other science topics are connected.

Before this course I had learned about the different pHs, but never quite understood the importance of pH.  I have learned that chemical processes that occur in the body are very sensitive to pH.  If the environment is not at the right hydrogen concentration, than the process may not occur.  Also relative to pH were pKa values, which I had never encountered until Organic Chemistry.  I know understand that any acid will act as a buffer in the +1 to -1 range of its pKa value.  This is important because a buffer resist change in pH, which allow chemical processes to occur.  Until this course I never made the connection between pH, pKa, and buffers.

The importance of sterochemistry has become relevant.  All amino acids that make up biologically active proteins are in the left handed form.  This is important to understand for structure determines function.  A slightest change in structure could effect a protein drastically.  By understanding the differences in structure, it has help me to put together the pieces of how it will effect a process.

 Through the beginning of the course til now I have been able to connect present knowledge with past knowledge  to help me better understand the overall picture.  Although I have already learned the information I need, it is coming together and I have a better understanding.   During the remaining course I believe that i will be able to make more connections and a deeper understanding of the importance of Biochemsity.