LSC-10064 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module will introduce you to a broad range of core biochemistry concepts that will underpin a lot of what you will be studying throughout your course.
Starting from an overview of basic concepts of chemical bonding, reactivity, kinetics and thermodynamics, you will look at their application to the study of protein structure and how this relates to protein and enzyme function.
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 first part of the module reflects this. Our exploration of the function of enzymes will look at their underlying kinetic behaviour and why this is important in terms of the control and regulation of biochemical processes, including the generation of energy in cellular metabolism; something that will be explored in more detail in future modules in the consideration of metabolic disorders, including those as seemingly diverse as obesity and neurological conditions.
The second part of the module will look specifically in more detail at the biochemical processes that underpin energy generation in the body and will cover the major metabolic pathways responsible for the processing of carbohydrates, fatty acids and protein/amino acids.
Overall this module will provide a solid grounding in core biochemistry and develop an appreciation of the relationship between the chemical and biological sciences that underpin our understanding of human biological and biochemical processes.

The module aims to provide students with an understanding of core chemical concepts and their application to the biological sciences. These concepts are applied to topics developing an understanding of protein and enzyme structure-function, the progress of biochemical reactions and the major metabolic pathways for the generation of energy. Supporting tutorial and workshop activities will align with asynchronous content and practical sessions delivered in LSC-10087 and will introduce students to a range of essential biochemical techniques for the study of enzyme kinetics. Further supporting workshops and tutorials are designed to support the development of key skills in data analysis, presentation and communication of information.

Intended Learning Outcomes

explain the basis of the layout of the periodic table and how this relates to atomic and molecular structure and properties, including Lewis notation applied to bonding in simple organic molecules: 2
explain basic concepts of chemical bonding, kinetics, reactivity and thermodynamics and their application to the study of protein structure, biochemical reactions and metabolic processes: 1,2
describe the macromolecular structure of proteins in terms of primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure and the common structural motifs adopted by folded proteins: 2
explain the effect of environmental changes, substrate concentration and the binding of non-substrate ligands on protein and enzyme structure and function: 1,2
describe the central role of metabolism in homeostasis and explain the progress and control of key metabolic pathways involving carbohydrates, fatty acids and protein/amino acids: 3
describe oxidative metabolic processes for the production of ATP, including enzyme complexes in the mitochondria: 3
analyse and interpret experimental data from the results of experimental investigations and communicate these effectively in written form in a scientific laboratory report: 1

Study hours

Active learning:
32 hours of workshops/tutorials/lectures supporting asynchronous materials and interactive learning
6 hours of IT workshops supporting data analysis and report writing
10x 9 hours engagement with asynchronous content
Independent study:
2x 1 hour online tasks/class tests
52 hours preparation of in-course assessment
118 hours independent study: preparation/revision for online tests and engaging with directed reading

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment