School of Life Sciences  
 
 
LSC-10034 Natures Tools: Proteins & Enzymes  
Co-ordinator: Dr David Watson   Tel:33676  
Teaching Team: Prof T Greenhough, Mrs Janet  Norton Mrs Deborah  Goodall Miss Lynsey  Wheeldon Mrs Lisa  Smith Mrs Jennifer  Moran Mrs Linda  Flynn Mrs Trish  Procter Dr David  Watson Dr Mark  Skidmore, Mrs Susan  Andrews  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 1 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 734414
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
As an elective module, AS Chemistry grade C or equivalent

Barred Combinations
None
Description

This module is all about proteins. Proteins are intimately involved in all cellular processes. They help to form and maintain cell structure, catalyse metabolic reactions, transport materials in and out of organelles, transduce signals and regulate gene expression.

Great progress has been made in understanding the molecular structure of proteins, and we are now able to visualise many of them in great detail. Knowing the structure helps us to understand how a protein functions, and the content of the module reflects these two aspects. The first part deals with protein structure, and why proteins adopt a certain unique shape. The second part of the module explores how the function of some proteins, particularly enzymes, can be understood in terms of their structure. Concepts and ideas you encounter here underpin the remainder of the course, and and the relationship between protein structure and function will be developed in future modules at level 5 and 6.
Aims
The aim of the lecture course is to impart knowledge of and promote understanding of protein structure and function and the principles of enzymology. The practical course introduces students to the essential equipment of a biochemical laboratory and skills workshops will promote the acquisition of subject specific and employability skills.
Intended Learning Outcomes
understand that proteins are macromolecules built from specific sequences of amino acids, describe the common structural motifs adopted by folded proteins and discuss how their three dimensional shapes are stabilised by non-covalent forces will be achieved by assessments: formative, 02
demonstrate knowledge of enzyme kinetics explaining the principles by which enzymes catalyse a biochemical reactions and describe in detail the reaction mechanism of a named enzyme. will be achieved by assessments: 01,02
explain why a protein's function is intimately dependent on its structure and describe how changes in protein shape, triggered by the binding of small ligands or other proteins, can result in altered protein function will be achieved by assessments: 02
correctly and safely use basic laboratory equipment such as pipettes, pH meters and spectrophotometers will be achieved by assessments: formative, 01
develop skills in numeracy, problem solving, data recording and report writing and show awareness of the pitfalls of plagiarism will be achieved by assessments: formative, 01,02
Study hours
lectures 18 hours
laboratory classes 24 hours
skills workshops 12 hours
directed private study 20 hours
private study &assessment 76 hours
Description of Module Assessment
01: Laboratory Report weighted 25%
laboratory report written in the style of a published scientific paper
Indicative length 1500 words
02: 2 Hour Exam weighted 75%
end of module unseen exam
50 % compulsory short answer questions 50% essays (2 from a choice of 4)
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.