Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Unit Catalogue 2010/11 |
PA10237: Introduction to chemical biology and pharmacology |
 Credits:
| 12 |
| Level:
| Certificate |
| Period: | This unit is available in... |
| Academic Year |
| Assessment:
| EX 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| This unit is only available to students with A level chemistry at grade A or B or equivalent. |
| Description:
| Aims: To introduce the student to the organisation of procaryotic and eucaryotic cells, and to provide a chemical approach to study the structure and function of cell components including amino acids, peptides and proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. To provide a chemical approach to study the structure and function of nucleic acids and their role in protein synthesis. To introduce the student to general aspects of pharmacology and receptor theory. Learning Outcomes: At the end of the unit the student should be able to: * describe the properties of proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids and their building blocks and to present the rationale for how such macromolecules maintain their in vivo structures and functions; * demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure and functions of nucleic acids and their role in protein synthesis; * demonstrate an understanding of the principles underlying the fate of a drug molecule following administration, and the concept of a receptor as defined by classical pharmacological means. Skills: Working with others (T/F) Study skills, problem solving (T/F/A) Handling information (T/F/A) Scientific and practical skills (T/F/A). Content: An outline of cellular organisation, structure and function of major organelles and membranes in procaryotic and eucaryotic cells. Structure, classification, biosynthetic origins and biochemical roles of amino acids. The nature of the peptide bond and the forces which maintain primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins. Protein function, reactive groups, enzymes and catalysis, allostery, protein fractionation. The structure of relevant carbohydrates and lipids, and the biological role of these molecules in energy metabolism. Structure and organisation of DNA and RNA; Nucleotide synthesis, DNA replication, RNA transcription, protein synthesis. Receptor theory, agonists, antagonists, measurements of potency, pA2; Examples of the above taken from blood and respiratory pharmacology. |