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BB10262: Human biochemistry

[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Biology & Biochemistry
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CW 20%, EX 80%
Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 20%)
  • Examination (EX 80%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Aims: To introduce students to the fundamental principles of metabolism and to relate this to the homeostasis of the whole human.

Learning Outcomes: 1. Describe and explain the fundamental principles of thermodynamics as they relate to biological reactions, including enzyme function and metabolic pathways
2. Use biochemical principles to describe how muscles contract and how different forms of exercise affect biochemical, metabolic and hormonal processes in health and disease
3. Describe the role of vitamins as cofactors and coenzymes in metabolism and summarise the diseases associated with vitamin deficiencies
4. Summarise the features (with mechanisms) underlying examples of protein energy malnutrition including protein turnover
5. Describe the main clinical features of obesity, diabetes and other related syndromes
6. Describe the biochemical response to consuming nutrients, including the metabolism of dietary components, the regulation of appetite, and differences between insulin versus exercise-induced glucose uptake in muscle
7. Describe and explain relevant laboratory techniques for investigating aspects of human biochemistry in the context of sport, exercise, health and disease

Content: This unit will introduce students to fundamental biochemical processes that are relevant to sport, exercise, health and disease. Lectures will cover content including: enzymes (catalysis, kinetics, regulation), metabolism of nutrients, vitamin function, protein malnutrition and protein synthesis (including relevance to exercise and doping with anabolic steroids), hormones, appetite, metabolic pathways, genetics and single nucleotide polymorphisms, muscle contraction, glucose uptake and exercise, supplementation of diet relevant to sport and exercise (e.g. antioxidants, carnitine, protein), obesity, type II diabetes and related health conditions, biochemical laboratory techniques. Accompanying practical classes will introduce students to fundamental laboratory techniques, including pipetting, making solutions, basic calculations, and analytical methods relevant to sport, exercise, health and disease (e.g., ELISA, western blotting, cell culture).

Programme availability:

BB10262 is a Designated Essential Unit on the following programmes:

Department for Health
  • UHHL-AFB22 : BSc(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (Year 1)
  • UHHL-ACB22 : BSc(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Combined Professional Placement and Study Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHHL-AAB22 : BSc(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • UHHL-AKB22 : BSc(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Professional Placement (Year 1)
  • UHHL-AFM22 : MSci(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (Year 1)
  • UHHL-ACM22 : MSci(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Combined Professional Placement and Study Abroad (Year 1)
  • UHHL-AAM22 : MSci(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • UHHL-AKM22 : MSci(Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Professional Placement (Year 1)

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.