610-330 Biological Chemistry

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

At least three of Chemistry 610-210, 610-211, 610-220, 610-221, 610-240, 610-241 and 610-260.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject covers topics selected in each of the following areas:

Organic Natural Product Chemistry (12 lectures): alkaloids; terpenoids; prostaglandins; steroids; vitamins; hormones: antibiotics: biogenesis of the preceding classes: acetate, shikimate and mevalonate biosynthetic pathways: metabolism of the C1 pool: carbohydrate catabolism.

Bioinorganic Chemistry (12 lectures): bioavailability of the trace metals; biochemistry of dioxygen: haemoglobin; zinc and copper enzymes; molybdenum enzymes; cobalt and vitamin B12; cytochrome and iron-sulphur centres; ion pumps; photosynthesis; metal-based drugs.

Biophysical Chemistry (12 lectures): structure of macromolecular systems; major techniques for studying molecular structure; relationship of structure to function of biomolecules; model membranes and self-assembling systems; physical chemistry of proteins and bilayers; dynamics of biomolecules; biomembrane structures; membrane ion channels; lipid-protein and receptor-ligand interactions.

Assessment

One 3-hour and one 1.5-hour written examination at the end of Semester 1.