Department of Chemistry, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
CH30036 Biopolymers |
| Credits: 3 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: EX100 |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take CH20014 or take CH20078 and while taking this unit you must take CH30039 or take CH40039 and in taking this unit you cannot take CH40036 |
|
Aims & Learning Objectives: To provide an overview of biopolymer structures (carbohydrates, nucleic acids). After studying this unit, students should be able to: * Show an appreciation of carbohydrate and nucleic acid chemistry. * 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 archaeology. 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 ocurring 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 archaeology. Nanomachines made of DNA. |