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BB10215: Biochemistry for biologists

[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Aims: To introduce students to the fundamentals of central metabolism and to relate this to the homeostasis of the whole organism.

Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to:
* describe the building blocks of biological systems; amino acids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids
* describe how these form macromolecules
* explain the fundamentals of thermodynamics as they relate to biological reactions
* explain how enzymes function
* describe why ATP is effective as the 'energy currency of the cell'
* describe and explain the different ways in which ATP is produced under different conditions within muscle
* describe the role of vitamins as cofactors, coenzymes and prosthetic groups in metabolism
* describe the diseases associated with vitamin deficiencies
* describe the features (with mechanisms) underlying examples of Protein Energy Malnutrition
* describe the main clinical features of obesity and diabetes
* explain how appetite is controlled and syndromes associated with obesity
* describe the reactions of the glycolytic pathway
* describe the reactions of the gluconeogenic pathway.

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

Content: 1) Structures of biologically relevant macromolecules
2) Enzymes: catalysis, kinetics, regulation
3) Vitamin Function
4) Malnutrition and Obesity
5) Metabolic Pathways
6) How ATP for muscle contraction is produced.

Programme availability:

BB10215 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Biology & Biochemistry

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes 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.