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Department of Chemistry, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


CH50198: Chemistry of the cell

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: CW25EX75
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: After taking this unit you must take CH50199
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
Understand the fundamental chemistry/biochemistry that underpins life and critically evaluate how drug molecules can be designed to treat disease states via selective interaction with individual enzymes/receptors at a molecular level.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this course the student should be able to:
* be familiar with the chemical/biochemical information required to understand how a range of different drug molecules operate at a molecular level;
* appreciate how proteins and receptors are used to control structure and function and explain how their activities can be manipulated via selective interactions with drug molecules;
* understand how enzymes catalyse reactions at a molecular level and use case studies to demonstrate how their interactions with drug molecules can be used to treat the disease state;
* appreciate how nucleic acids encode genetic information and describe how proteins are synthesised at the ribosome with an emphasis on understanding how drug molecules can be used to regulate cell division;
* understand how lipids, proteins and carbohydrates combine to control the structure and function of cell membranes and critically evaluate how drugs can be used to manipulate receptor function;
* appreciate the chemistry and biochemistry of carbohydrates with an emphasis on how they are used as a source of energy and how their biopolymers are used to communicate information.

Skills:
Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Numeracy & computation T/F/A, Problem solving T/F, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F, Career preparation T/F.

Content:
Overview of the cell. Proteins: amino acids - structures, ionisation and physical properties; primary, secondary and tertiary structure and an overview of protein folding, conformation and degradation. Enzymes: catalysis, kinetics, regulation. Receptors: structure and signal transduction; agonists, antagonists, mode of action. Common methods for purifying and analysing proteins. Nucleic acids: structures, ionisation and physical properties; DNA: primary and secondary structure; packaging; replication, transcription. Different types of RNA; Protein synthesis: the ribosome and mRNA translation. The structures of relevant carbohydrates and lipids and their role in metabolism and membrane formation. Relevant examples of different drugs directed at different biological targets with an emphasis on understanding their mode of action at a molecular level.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

CH50198 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.