Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
This module will introduce you to a broad range of core biochemistry concepts that will underpin a lot of what you will be studying throughout your course. Starting from an overview of basic concepts of chemical bonding, reactivity, kinetics and thermodynamics, you will look at their application to the study of protein structure and how this relates to protein and enzyme function. Your exploration of the function of enzymes will consider reaction kinetics and why this is important in terms of understanding the control and regulation of biochemical processes, including the generation of energy in cellular metabolism. In this part of the module you will explore in more detail the biochemical processes that underpin energy generation in the body and cover the major metabolic pathways responsible for the processing of carbohydrates, fatty acids and protein/amino acids.; something that will be explored in more detail in future modules in the consideration of metabolic disorders.Overall this module will provide you with a solid grounding in core biochemistry and develop an appreciation of the relationship between the chemical and biological sciences that underpin our understanding of human biological and biochemical processes.
Aims
The module aims to provide students with an understanding of core chemical concepts and their application to the biological sciences. These concepts are applied to topics developing an understanding of protein and enzyme structure:function, the progress of biochemical reactions and the major metabolic pathways for the generation of energy. Supporting tutorial and workshop activities will align with asynchronous content and practical sessions delivered in LSC-10087 and will introduce students to a range of essential biochemical techniques for the study of enzyme kinetics. Further supporting workshops and tutorials are designed to support the development of key transferable skills in data analysis, presentation and communication of information.
Talis Aspire Reading ListAny reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/lsc-10064/lists
Intended Learning Outcomes
explain the basis of the layout of the periodic table and how this relates to atomic and molecular structure and properties including Lewis notation applied to bonding in simple organic molecules: 2explain basic concepts of chemical bonding, kinetics, reactivity and thermodynamics and their application to the study of protein structure, biochemical reactions and metabolic processes: 2describe the macromolecular structure of proteins in terms of primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure and the common structural motifs adopted by folded proteins: 2explain the effect of environmental changes, substrate concentration and the binding of non-substrate ligands on protein and enzyme structure and function: 1,2describe the central role of metabolism in homeostasis and explain the progress and control of key metabolic pathways involving carbohydrates, fatty acids and protein/amino acids: 2describe oxidative metabolic processes for the production of ATP, including enzyme complexes in the mitochondria: 2analyse and interpret experimental data from the results of experimental investigations and communicate these effectively in written form in a scientific laboratory report: 1
19 hours of workshops/tutorials/lectures supporting asynchronous content 6 hours of IT workshops supporting data analysis and report writing30x 3 hours engagement with asynchronous content2 hour online examination (released 9-5)55 hours preparation of in-course assessments and formative class tests128 hours independent study: examination preparation/revision and engaging with directed reading
Description of Module Assessment
1: Report weighted 30%Laboratory reportStudents will produce a laboratory report (~2,000 words) assessing scientific content/insight and graphical data presentation/analysis based on data collected in laboratory sessions delivered in LSC-10087, supported with a number of tutorials/workshops on data analysis and report writing.
2: Open Book Examination weighted 70%Online seen examThe paper will be released on the KLE as a Word document at 9am on the morning of the exam and will comprise compulsory short answer questions (60% contribution to exam component) and one essay from a choice of three (40% contribution to the exam component). Students should answer each question using Word, clearly labelling each question as they provide their answers. Work will be submitted to Turnitin no later than 5pm on the day of release. International students will be asked to notify the School if they need an extension due to different time zones.
Although students have been given significant time to complete this exam script, we expect most students to spend no more than 2 hours. Answers should be as accurate and concise as possible.
For short-answer questions, students should pay careful attention to the number of points that each question is worth. In general, we would expect only one or two sentences for each point.
For essay-based questions, typical answers would be in the range of 500-750 words per question. We recommend that students do not exceed 750 words.