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SL12001: Biochemistry

[Page last updated: 26 October 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Life Sciences
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: EXOB 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • MCQ exam (EXOB 35%)
  • Open-book written examination (EXOB 65%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit you will be able to:
  • explain the biochemical pathways of central metabolism, glycogen and fatty acid metabolism and mitochondrial oxidation and relate the regulation of these pathways to the homeostasis of the whole organism.
  • outline the structure, biosynthesis and metabolic importance of key proteins, carbohydrates and lipids.
  • relate knowledge of basic eukaryotic metabolism with that of prokaryotes.



Synopsis: Exploring key biochemical pathways, you will study eukaryotic cells at the metabolic level and some differences between these and prokaryotes. To understand these pathways, you will cover the structures, functions and regulation of proteins, primarily enzymes, that are the main workhorses of cells. Your studies of eukaryotes will also cover the control and integration of pathways to enable homeostasis in multicellular organisms, principally humans.

Content: The unit content will include: The structures and functions of proteins including their regulation The thermodynamics and bioenergetics of cellular reactions The biochemical pathways of central metabolism The way central metabolism connects catabolism and anabolism The different ways of producing ATP in prokaryotes The regulation of central metabolism with respect to the needs of the organism in relation to its environment The principles of mitochondrial oxidative function Lipid structure and the pathways of fatty acid oxidation and synthesis including their regulation Glycogen metabolism and how it is regulated Structure and function of mucopolysaccharides The basic structural pattern of glycoproteins

Course availability:

SL12001 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Chemistry) with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Biochemistry with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
Department of Life Sciences
  • USSL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 1)
  • USSL-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Biochemistry with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSL-AFB12 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 1)
  • USSL-AKB12 : BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSL-AFM10 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry (Year 1)
  • USSL-AKM10 : MBiochem(Hons) Biochemistry with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSL-AFM12 : MBiomed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences (Year 1)
  • USSL-AKM12 : MBiomed(Hons) Biomedical Sciences with professional placement (Year 1)

SL12001 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Chemistry
  • USSC-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 1)
  • USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USSC-AKM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Pharmacology) with professional placement (Year 1)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.