521-211 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Part A

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Chemistry 610-121 and 122 (before 1998) or 610-141and 142 or, if an average mark of 60% or better is obtained, 610-161 and 162. Biology 600-141 and 142 is not a prerequisite but is strongly recommended.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

By the end of the subject the student should have acquired; knowledge of the fundamental areas of biochemistry and molecular biology relating to the structure, function and chemical properties of biological molecules; a detailed understanding of the structure and function relationships of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids; an understanding of the principles of digestion and absorption of nutrients; and an appreciation of the fundamentals of molecular cloning and recombinant DNA technology. Content includes: Introduction to the principles of cellular functions; amino acid chemistry; acid base implications in biochemistry; preparation and purification of proteins; structure and function of proteins with particular attention given to serum proteins, haemoglobin and immunoglobulins; properties of enzymes and their regulation; lipid chemistry; biomembrane composition, architecture, dynamics and function including membrane transport processes; carbohydrate structure and function; the enzymology of mammalian digestion and absorption of nutrients; the structure of nucleic acids, DNA helices and implications for roles as genetic material; molecular cloning and recombinant DNA technology.

Assessment

Computer-based tests of knowledge gained in computer tutorials (10%); a 3-hour written examination at the end of the semester (90%).

Prescribed Texts

• Mathews C and van Holde K, Biochemistry. 2nd ed. 1996 Benjamin/Cummings.