Medical biochemistry of cells and tissues
Dr Alfons Lawen
8 points * Four 1-hour lectures/tutorials and one 5-hour practical per week * Second semester * Clayton * Prerequisites: BCH2031 * Prohibition: BCH2022
Objectives On completion of this subject students should understand the metabolic role of molecules in living cells; the molecular organisation of cellular structures and tissues; cellular metabolism and its regulation; the regulation and integration of metabolic processes in tissues, their regulation by hormones and their consequences for nutrition; the medical relevance of these biochemical concepts. Practical and small-group teaching will allow students to strengthen and extend their understanding of lecture material as well as to develop skills in the use of biochemical and molecular biological techniques, oral presentations and problem solving.
Synopsis This subject is the second of two one-semester subjects that will give students the basic knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology. This subject will differ from BCH2022 in that one lecture/tutorial hour per week will be devoted to biomedical aspects of biochemistry and their clinical applications. It covers energy utilisation by living organisms, a general outline of metabolism, aspects of the oxidation and synthesis of carbohydrates and lipids, the metabolism of amino acids and nucleotides, the regulation and integration of cellular metabolism, enzyme regulation, gene therapy, the metabolism of specialised tissues and the biochemical basis of nutrition, hormonal regulation and neurotransmitter function. Biochemical aspects of diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, defects in carbohydrate, lipid and nucleotide metabolism as well as the biochemistry of alcoholism, diabetes and obesity will be discussed. In the practical program students are trained in techniques including the use of radioactive isotopes and the processing of biochemical data.
Assessment Examinations (2 x 2 hours): 80% * Laboratory training: 20%
Prescribed texts
Lehninger A L and others Principles of biochemistry 2nd edn, Worth, 1993
Recommended texts
Garrett R H and Grisham C M Biochemistry Saunders, 1995
Zubay G and others Principles of biochemistry W C Brown, 1995
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