Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On completion of this subject students should understand the structure of molecules associated with the life process and the role of these molecules in the function of living cells; molecular organisation of cellular structures, especially that of membranes and the role of membranes in cellular metabolism; physical and biochemical properties of proteins, especially in their roles as enzymes; molecular nature of nucleic acids and the mechanism of how they specify proteins; basic methods of isolation, separation and characterisation of biological molecules; medical relevance of these biological molecules.
Synopsis This subject is the first of two one-semester subjects that will give BSc (Biomedical) students a basic knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology. This subject will differ from BCH2011 in that one lecture/tutorial hour per week will be devoted to biomedical aspects of molecular biology. The subject includes amino acid chemistry, protein chemistry, the catalytic role of proteins as enzymes, the principles of molecular biology, the chemistry and biosynthesis of nucleic acids and their function in information flow in cells, membrane structure and the structure lipids and carbohydrates as components of membranes. Practical training covers aspects of the assay of biochemical molecules, enzymology and molecular biology.
Assessment Examinations (2 x 2 hours): 75% + Laboratory training: 25%