To provide a solid understanding and knowledge of fundamental biochemical processes which will underpin an understanding of nutrition, metabolism and exercise physiology.

The course is delivered as a series of lectures covering the following topics: Carbohydrates; Lipids; Amino acids; Protein; Nucleic acids; Enzymes; Membranes; Muscles; Nerves; Hormones; Metabolism This is supported by a series of laboratory based practical investigations covering the following areas: Analysis of carbohydrates; Exploring Lipids; Behaviour of Amino acids and Proteins; Enzymes; Nutrition. The course is examined through a series of term tests, practical laboratory write ups, and an end of term exam based on multiple choice questions and essay style questions.

1. Specify, describe and distinguish the building blocks of the major macromolecules in organisms and cells. 2. Identify, describe and discuss the major macromolecules in terms of structure, chemistry and their function in organisms and cells. 3. Describe how enzymes catalyse biological reactions, and identify key components in systems which contribute to catalysis. 4. Distinguish between different enzyme inhibitor classes 5. Describe the components of and discuss the functions of biological membranes 6. Discuss and explain the function of muscles and nerves 7. State the function of important hormones 8. Describe and explain how ATP is generated in cells, and distinguish between the different systems involved (Glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, Electron transport chain, proton motive force) 9. Utilize well labelled diagrams to aid convey information on all topics. 10. Describe and perform experimentation to distinguish between different macromolecules 11. Given data for enzyme catalysed reactions, extract values for the key kinetic parameters Km and Vmax 12. Describe, explain and perform experimentation to determine kinetic parameters for enzymes 13. Given data for construction of a standard curve, estimate the concentration of unknown solutions.

The student will develop the skills and confidence to be able to tackle and understand complex biological systems. The student will have an appreciation of the rigors of correct cell biology procedures and be able to evaluate the quality of new scientific information.

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The module is taught by a combination of one hour lectures, tutorials and two-hour laboratory sessions. Recent research findings are incorporated across all of the elements of the module. Students collaborate in laboratory research groups and are collectively responsible for the group efforts as a means to develop the desirable attributes of our graduates.