Department of Chemistry, Unit Catalogue 2009/10 |
CH40036: Biopolymers |
 Credits:
| 3 |
| Level:
| Masters |
| Period: | Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| EX 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| Before taking this unit you must take CH20149 and while taking this unit you must take CH30039 and take CH30032 and in taking this unit you cannot take CH30036 |
| Description: | Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an overview of biopolymer structures (carbohydrates, nucleic acids). This overview will form a basis for students to appreciate selected recent developments in carbohydrate and nucleic acid chemistry. After studying this unit, students should be able to: * Show an appreciation of carbohydrate and nucleic acid chemisty. * Determine the structure of an unknown polysaccharide. * Explain what is meant by the terms gene and clone. * Describe how DNA can be manipulated in the test tube. * Describe how DNA analysis is useful in forensic science and archeology. * Apply knowledge to problem-solving exercises in carbohydrate and nucleic acid chemistry. * Critically evaluate publications from the recent literatire to illustrate the course themes. * Demonstrate knowledge of selected recent developments in carbohydrate and nucleic acid chemistry. Content: Monosaccharide and oligosaccharide chemistry and stereochemistry. Carbohydrates as acetals and hemiacetals, relating them to mainstream organic chemistry. Application of NMR spectroscopy to carbohydrate structures. Synthesis of disaccharides with an emphasis on protecting group strategies. The diversity of naturally occurring carbohydrates in a monomeric and polymeric form and their role in biochemistry. Brief summary of DNA and genes. Manipulating (cutting, pasting and amplifying) DNA with enzymes. DNA fingerprinting and crime/paternity cases. Ancient DNA and archeology. Nanomachines made of DNA. |