62220 BIOCHEMISTRY 1

Year	No.	Offer	Mode	Description			Cred. Pts
00	62220 	S1  	D 	BIOCHEMISTRY 1            	1.00

Contents

• Staffing
• Pre-requisite(s)
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Recommended References
• Student Workload
• Assessment Details
• Other Requirements

STAFFING:

PRE-REQUISITE(S)

61613

RATIONALE:

This unit provides an introduction to the major classes of biochemical
compounds, their metabolism, and laboratory techniques used  to  study
biochemical  processes. The unit also forms a  basis  for  studies  in
other units in the fields of biology, chemistry and clinical science.

SYNOPSIS:

Biochemistry  may  be considered as the description  of  life  at  the
molecular  level. The chemical and physical nature of  structures  and
functions within living cells is studied. This unit allows students to
develop an understanding of the major classes of biochemical compounds
found in living organisms and the metabolism of these compounds. Study
of biochemistry is central to studies in biology, and in particular is
related  to  units  in  plant and mammalian physiology,  microbiology,
genetics,  cell biology and molecular biology. A series  of  practical
classes  is integrated with the lectures to allow students to  further
develop  concepts covered in the lectures, and also to become familiar
with  use  of  materials and equipment commonly used  in  biochemistry
laboratories.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. demonstrate a knowledge of the major classes of biochemical
   compounds, including carbohydrates, lipids and proteins;
   
2. understand and describe the action of enzymes and their
   application in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and
   proteins;
   
3. demonstrate familiarity with the integration of metabolic
   pathways in an organism;
   
4. demonstrate an awareness of the different metabolic processes
   which occur in different species (including animals, plants
   and micro-organisms);
   
5. demonstrate an awareness of the applications of biochemistry
   in contemporary science, particularly in biotechnology;
   
6. demonstrate familiarity with a range of laboratory techniques
   used to identify, quantify and study biochemical substances;
   
7. carry out simple qualitative biochemical tests, and quantitate
   reliably a range of common biochemical substances in
   biological specimens.
   

TOPICS:

 Description                                                    Weighting(%)

Biological Macromolecules, structure and chemistry                    25.00
-  carbohydrates
-  lipids
-  proteins

Enzymes                                                               10.00
-  structure, mechanisms of action
-  enzyme kinetics
-  allosteric enzymes

Bioenergetics                                                         10.00
-  energetics of reactions
-  ATP and other high energy compounds
-  energy content of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins

Metabolism                                                            47.00
-  metabolic regulation
-  glycolysis
-  gluconeogenesis
-  Krebs cycle
-  electron transport chain
-  oxidative phosphorylation

Photosynthesis                                                        8.00
-  light reactions
-  Calvin cycle

TEXT and MATERIALS to be PURCHASED:

Pechenik, J.A. 1993, A Short Guide to Writing about Biology, 2nd
edn, Harper Collins.

Biochemistry - Practical Manual, USQ Publication.

RECOMMENDED REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Mathews, C.K. & Van Holde, K.E. et al 1996, Biochemistry, 2nd edn,
The Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company.

Montgomery, R. et al 1990, Biochemistry, A Case Oriented Approach,
5th edn, C. V. Mosby.

Stryer, L. 1995, Biochemistry, 4th edn, Freeman.

Voet, D. et al 1995, Biochemistry, 2nd edn, John Wiley and Sons.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

	ACTIVITY				HOURS
Lectures                                      	42
Laboratory or Practical Classes               	42
Report Writing                                	15
Private Study                                 	67
Examinations                                  	4

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

No  *F/S Marks     Due        Description                              Wtg(%)    LBL WWW
1   S              PASSIM    REPORTS ON LAB WORK                       30.00     N   N
2   S              31/03/00  1 HR RESTRICTED EXAMINATION               10.00     N   N
3   S              END S1    3 HR CLOSED EXAMINATION                   60.00     N   N

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1    Students must achieve an overall pass of 50% and at least 40%  in
     each  individual component. Please note that good performance  in
     one  or  two  components may not be sufficient to  counterbalance
     weak  performance in the remaining component (s).  Students  must
     actively participate in at least 80% of the practical classes.  A
     medical certificate will normally be required for non-attendance.
     Written   reports  on  practical  work  must  be  submitted   for
     correction  no  later than one teaching week  (normally  7  days)
     after the completion of the experiment in the laboratory.
2    In  accordance  with  University's  Assignment  Extension  Policy
     (Regulation  5.9), the examiner of a unit may grant an  extension
     of  the  due  date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
     This  policy  may  be  found in the USQ  Handbook,  the  Distance
     Education  Study  Guide and the Faculty of Sciences'  Orientation
     Handbook for new on-campus students.  All students are advised to
     study and follow the guidelines associated with this policy.
3    Closed Examination: a closed examination is an examination  where
     the  candidates  are  allowed to bring only writing  and  drawing
     instruments into the examination.
4    Restricted   Examination:   a  restricted   examination   is   an
     examination   where  only  those  materials  specified   in   the
     examination paper are permitted during the examination.