Biochemistry part IV
Dr Wayne Comper
12 points * Four 1-hour lectures, one 6-hour laboratory practical and one 1-hour tutorial per week * Second semester * Clayton * Prerequisites: BCH3011
This subject is the second of a two-part package for students majoring in biochemistry at the third-year level, and is divided into a series of sections that cover three main themes. (i) The plasma membrane, signal transduction and extra-cellular matrix: discussed under such topics as structure and function of the plasma membrane, membrane transport, signal transduction, second messengers, regulation of cell growth and cancer. (ii) Intracellular membrane dynamics: functional and protein trafficking aspects of cellular organelles. Topics include bioenergetic functions and molecular biology of mitochondria and chloroplasts, metabolic and protein trafficking role of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, sorting of secretory and membrane proteins, and biochemistry of lysosomes. (iii) Specialised systems of interaction and control: encompassing molecular mechanisms of actions of hormones and other cellular effectors, and responses of target cells under various physiological and pathological conditions. The practical training course extends the student's skill in modern and advanced techniques in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Assessment
Written (5000 words): 30% * Examinations (4 hours): 60% * Laboratory work: 10%
Prescribed texts
Alberts B and others Molecular biology of the cell 3rd edn, Garland, 1994