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Chemistry of Life

Module description

In this module you will be introduced to a variety of biochemistry topics. You will learn the importance of biochemistry in all living processes. The principles of biochemistry will be discussed in this module will be illustrated through references to physiological phenomena, with particular attention paid to those arising through neural mechanisms.

To complement the theory of biochemistry covered in the lectures, you will also undertake laboratory practical work where you will be introduced to techniques that cover fundamental biochemistry skills and enzyme kinetics.

This is a compulsory module for BSc Neuroscience students.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module introduces you to core concepts in human biochemistry and complements these with appropriate practical class sessions. The module will discuss topics including structure of proteins, enzyme kinetics and metabolic pathways. The module will also provide a background to fundamental aspects of chemistry. The theory of various techniques used to study biochemistry will be discussed to complement the laboratory practical class sessions.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Understand the basic concepts of biochemistry.
• 2. Understand the range and structures of biological molecules.
• 3. Summarise the relationship between chemical structure and biological function.
• 4. Understand fundamental metabolic pathways
• 5. Communicate key practical skills relating specifically to biochemistry of the human body.
• 6. Illustrate essential elementary chemistry and structural organic chemistry.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Describe how the basic biochemistry phenomena contribute to neural processes.
• 8. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of chemistry and biochemistry.
• 9. Begin to utilise simple biochemistry techniques to analyse enzyme kinetics and analyse the experimental results

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 10. Communicate ideas effectively by written and oral means.
• 11. Begin to identify appropriate information from various relevant sources including teaching material, books and the internet.
• 12. Develop skills for independent study.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

We will cover topics including:

• Techniques in Biochemistry
• Fundamental aspects of Chemistry
• Amino acids and proteins
• Protein structures
• Protein folding and neurodegenerative disease
• Enzymes and co -enzymes
• Allosteric enzymes
• Enzyme kinetics
• Metabolism - Glycolysis
• Citric acid cycle
• Electron transport chain and ATP synthesis
• Fatty acid metabolism

These will be covered through lectures, data analysis and laboratory practical sessions.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Hames D and Hooper N (2011) Instant Notes in Biochemistry, 4th Ed, CRC Press, ISBN - 13 978-0415-60845-9

Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Stryer L (2012) Biochemstry, 7th Ed., Freeman ISBN 13: 978-1-4292-7635-1

Voet DJ, Voet JG and Pratt CW (2008) Principles of Biochemistry, 3rd Ed., John Wiley and Sons, ISBN-13 978-0470-23396-2

Key words search

Proteins, enzymes, amino acids, metabolism, sugars, energy, mitochondria, ATP synthesis, TCA cycle, enzyme kinetics, thermodynamics, glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism and chemistry