BMB530: Basic Biochemistry
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher
EKA: N200009112, N200009102, N200009122
Assessment: Second examiner: None, Second examiner: External
Grading: Pass/Fail, 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Bachelor
STADS ID (UVA): N200009101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 21-02-2022
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Comment
Entry requirements
The course cannot be taken byt students who have taken BMB532, or has BMB532 as a mandatory course in their study programme.
Academic preconditions
Students following the course are expected to:
- Knowledge of biology, chemistry and data processing
- The ability to use Word and Excel
- The ability to prepare experimental exercises as instructed in 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 FA508, 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 are 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
- describe some of the reaction mechanisms for simple enzyme catalyzed reactions
- describe 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 and coenzymes in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the citric acid cycle and the principles behind regulation and integration of these pathways
- describe the basics of the light reactions of photosynthesis and CO2-fixation in plants (biology students)
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- Chemical kinetics
- Simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics
- Cooperativity and allosterics
- Regulation of enzyme activity
- Examples of enzyme reaction mechanisms
- Components of biological membranes
- Lipid structures in aqueous solution
- Models of biological membranes
- Diffusion of matter through membranes
- Active and passive membrane transport
- Ion channels
- Metabolism: basic terms and principles
- Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis
- TCA and oxidative phosphorylation
- Glycogen metabolism
- Photosynthesis and C=2 fixation mechanisms
- Experimental techniques in biochemistry
The students will have the opportunity to study simple biochemical issues through 2 laboratory exercises that lasts 3 hours each:
- exercise: enzyme kinetics
- exercise: metabolism in yeast.
Literature
Laurence A. Moran (Author), Robert A Horton (Author), Gray Scrimgeour (Author), Marc Perry (Author): Principles of Biochemistry, 5th Edition.
See itslearning for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
Autumn
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam a) | N200009101, BMB530: Basic Biochemistry |
Tests
Reports on lab. work
EKA
N200009112
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course.
ECTS value
1
Exam element b)
Timing
January
Tests
Written exam
EKA
N200009102
Assessment
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Duration
4 hours
Examination aids
Allowed exam aids are personal handwritten notes, whether they are written on paper or on a tablet (or similar device) and then printed out. The book, notes that have been copied and printed or typed are not allowed. Standard build in calculator in Windows/MAC are allowed. It is also allowed to use Maple, Mathematica, Mathcad, MathLab, GeoGebra Apps, R, R-Studio, CAS TI-Nspire, Ms Excel og LibreOffice Calc. WordMat is allowed but not recommended. Use of WordMat is at your own risk and no support is provided for errors caused by the program.
However, you may visit the course site in itslearning in connection with accessing the exam questions.
ECTS value
4
Additional information
The re-exam will be changed to an oral exam, if 13 or fewer students are enrolled. The oral re-exam takes place as follows:
- You draw a number that corresponds to the subject in BMB530's curriculum in which you are to be examined. You will be given the subject and its questions, and you will be asked if you understand the questions.
- You have 25 minutes to prepare the subject. You decide how you will present the supporting material for your answer.
- You will be examined by lectors and censor for 15 minutes.
- After the examination you will receive your grade.
Prerequisites for participating in the exam a)
Timing
Autumn
Tests
Participation in lab. work
EKA
N200009122
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
0
Additional information
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a)
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
- Intro phase: 22 hours
- Skills training phase: 28 hours, hereof: Tutorials: 20 hours and Laboratory exercises: 6 hours
Activities during the study phase:
- Team work for exercises and completion of reports
- Study groups for enhanced learning yield of tutorials (voluntary)
- Deeper understanding of the curriculum during exam preparation
- Independent preparation for laboratory exercises
Teacher responsible
Additional teachers
| Name | Department | City | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan R. Brewer | brewer@memphys.sdu.dk | Institut for Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi |
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Educational Law & Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.