521-021 General Biochemistry

Credit Points

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The principal objectives are to develop (i) an understanding of the relationships between chemical properties and functions of body constituents, metabolic and regulatory processes and vital functions and adaptive responses of the human body, (ii) skills in experimental observation, data evaluation and interpretation, and (iii) an appreciation of the role of experimentation in the development of biomedical knowledge and the clinical relevance of biochemistry and molecular biology. Major topics covered: thermodynamics and homeostasis of living systems; digestion of food ingredients; the structure, function and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids; specialised functions of biomembranes, particularly in relation to bioenergetics and ion transport; intracellular mechanisms controlling biochemical processes; specialised topics including the structure and function of immunoglobulins, basic principles of gene structure and expression and metabolic disorders with a genetic basis. Separative and analytical procedures in modern biochemistry; experimental design and factors which influence the significance of results; computer-based data handling and analysis; interpreting biochemical data; conducting literature searches.

Assessment

A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination (85%) including material on protein biochemistry from first year and material related to practical (10%) and practice (5%) classes.

Prescribed Texts

• Stryer L, Biochemistry. 4th ed. Freeman 1995.