Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2010/11 |
BB10121: Biochemistry 2 |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Certificate |
| Period: | This unit is available in... |
| Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| EX 90%, MC 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| Before taking this unit you must take BB10120 |
| Description:
| Aims: To set out the central pathways of glycogen and fatty acid metabolism and mitochondrial oxidation and how these are regulated. To inculcate appreciation of the metabolic pathways into function at the organ level. To outline the structure, biosynthesis and metabolic importance of glycoproteins and of mucopolysaccharides. Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * describe and explain the principles of mitochondrial oxidative function; * describe and explain lipid structure and the pathways of fatty acid oxidation and synthesis; * describe glycogen metabolism and explain how it is regulated by the hormones adrenalin and insulin and by metabolic substrates; * describe the structure and function of mucopolysaccharides; * describe the basic structural pattern of glycoproteins. Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Numeracy & computation T/F/A, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F, Career preparation T/F. Content: The course is a direct follow-on from BB10120. Topics studied are 1) mitochondrial bioenergetics, respiration, oxidative phosphorylation and the chemiosmotic theory; 2) lipid metabolism - structure of lipids, catabolism and anabolism of fatty acids, ketogenesis and coordination with other metabolic pathways; 3) glycogen structure, biosynthesis and catabolism; 4) regulation of glycogen metabolism by hormones; 5) relationship between mucopolysaccharide structure and function and distribution; 6) common structural patterns of glycoproteins. |