BIOS 2014 Functional Proteins and Genes
Legacy Code 300936
Coordinator Patrick O'Doherty Opens in new window
Student Contribution Band
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Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Identify and explain biologically important chemical bonds and functional groups and describe their interaction.
- Recognise and describe the structure of monomeric units of major biomolecules in a cell.
- Explain how complex biomolecules form through polymerisation, chemical modification or aggregation of these monomeric units form complex functional or structural molecules.
- Discuss key metabolic processes, their control and cellular location.
- Relate different biomolecules to different cellular structures and processes.
- Handle biomolecules for analysis in a laboratory.
- Collect, record and analyse laboratory data in a lab book consistent with legal standards.
- Be able to perform basic biochemical calculations (mole calculations, dilutions, unit conversion, standard curve and basic enzymatic calculations).
- Work as a member of a group.
Subject Content
1. Overview of Biochemistry
- The cell, groups of important biomolecules, bonds, Functional groups, genes to proteins
- The aqueous environment
2. Biomolecules - Lipids
- The Chemistry and structure of fatty acids
- Membranes: phospholipids and glycolipids
3. Biomolecules - Introduction to Carbohydrates and Glycobiology
- The Chemistry and nomenclature of mono, di and polysaccharides
- Heteropolysaccharides: cellulose, starch, glycogen and The extracellular matrix
4. Biomolecules - Nucleic acids
- Ribose, deoxyribose, phosphodiester bonds, bases
- structural differences between RNA and DNA
5. Biomolecules - Proteins
- Amino acids: functional groups; acid base properties; symbols
- structure of proteins: peptide bonds, protein folding, pictorial representation of protein structure
- Classification and functions of proteins
- protein Packaging and post translational modification
- protein degradation
6. Introduction to metabolism
- Overview of anabolic and catabolic pathways and their regulation
- Characteristics of enzymes: active sites; catalytic principles; Basic enzyme kinetics
- introduction to important branch Point, High energy compounds and co-Factors
7. Quantitative aspects of Biochemistry
- handling and Analysing biomolecules in A laboratory
- developing independence in data organisation, recording and calculations
- maintaining A legal Standard laboratory note book
Assessment
The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.
Type | Length | Percent | Threshold | Individual/Group Task | Mandatory |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Final Examination | 2 hours | 50 | Y | Individual | |
Written Assignment - research assigned protein | Max 500 words | 10 | N | Individual | |
Laboratory Component - (a) Laboratory Book completeness/ correctness, (b) Practical Skills Quiz | Throughout semester | 20 | N | Individual | |
Quiz - (a) Post-laboratory questions (online), (b) Functional Molecules Quiz | Throughout semester | 20 | N | Individual |
Prescribed Texts
- Tymoczko, JL, Berg, JM & Stryer, L 2013, Biochemistry: a short course, 2nd edn, W.H. Freeman, New York.