BMB530: Basic Biochemistry (5 ECTS)

STADS: 01012801

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: frankk@bmb.sdu.dk

Additional teachers
brewer@memphys.sdu.dk
adelinar@bmb.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Prerequisites:
None.

Academic preconditions:
Students taking the course are expected to:

• Have knowledge of biology, chemistry and data analysis
• Be able to use Word and Excel
• Be able to prepare an experimental exercise based on guidance from a protocol

Course introduction
To give the students a basic introduction to the catalytic function and mechanisms of enzyme action, to the structure and function of biological membranes and a basic introduction to eukaryotic cell metabolism on a molecular level. The students are introduced to the underlying theory of enzymes and membranes and in the methods used to study these. In addition some biochemical processes in animal and plant metabolism and their regulation are introduced with an emphasis on mammalian cells.

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses FF503, and gives an academic basis for studying the topics of cellular biology in relation to degrees within pharmacology, chemistry and biology.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

• Use methods of enzyme kinetics and biochemistry in theory and practice
• Acquire knowledge and learning experimental methods within pharmaceutical/biological and related fields.
• Independently to apply a range of laboratory techniques in biochemistry

Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:

• use methods from chemical kinetics and enzyme kinetics to determine characteristic constants such as KM and turnover number for enzyme, both in theory and in practice
• explain how the activity of enzymes are regulated, including allosteric regulation
• explain the structure of biological membranes and how compounds are transported through these
• identify the chemical components of biological membranes
• use the thermodynamic and kinetic foundations of metabolism and explain the significance of  free energy and equilibrium constants for coupled reactions and the universal role of ATP in this coupling
• describe the transport of glucose I blood and how it is absorbed
• describe metabolites, enzymes amd coenzymes in glykolysis, glukoneogenesis, the citric acid cycle, glyoxylate cycle and the principles behind regulation and integration of these pathways
• explain the pentose phosphate pathway and its regulation by metabolittes and coenzymes       
• describe the light reactions of photosynthesis and CO2-fixation in plants (biology students)

Subject overview
The following main topics are contained in the course:

• Chemical kinetics
• Simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics
• Regulation of enzyme activity
• Lipid structures in aqueous solution
• Models of biological membranes
• Active and passive membrane transport
• Ion channels
• Metabolism: basic terms and principles
• Glykolysis and gluconeogenesis
• TCA and oxidative phosphorylation
• Glycogen metabolism
• Integration of metabolism
• Photosynthesis
• Experimental techniques in biochemistry

Two laboratory exercises: 1. Enzyme kinetics; 2. metabolism in yeast.

Literature

• Laurence A. Moran (Author), Robert A Horton (Author), Gray Scrimgeour (Author), Marc Perry (Author): Principles of Biochemistry , 5th Edition.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam

1. Participation in lab. work is a prerequisite for exam part a). Pass/fail, internal marking by teacher. (01012822).

Assessment and marking:

1. Reports on lab. work. Pass/fail, internal marking by teacher. Exam aids allowed (1 ECTS). (01012812).
2. Written exam. External examiner, Danish 7 mark scale. No printed or digital aids, only own handwritten notes. (4 ECTS). (01012802).

The written exam is given as a digital exam on e-learn.  A closer description of the exam rules will be posted under 'Course Information' on Blackboard.

Reexam in the same exam period or immediately thereafter. Reexam in part a) is held as an oral exam (pass/fail, internal marking). The form of a re-examination in part b) may differ from the regular exam.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
Intro phase: 22 hours
Skills training phase: 28 hours, hereof:
 - Tutorials: 20 hours
 - Laboratory exercises: 6 hours

Educational activities

Educational form
Activities during the study phase:

• Team work for exercises and completion of reports
• Study groups for enhanced learning yield of tutorials
• Deeper understanding of the curriculum during exam preparation
• Preparation for laboratory exercises

Language
This course is taught in Danish or English, depending on the lecturer.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.