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Unit Summary
Unit type
UG Coursework Unit
Credit points
12
AQF level
Level of learning
Introductory
Former School/College
Pre-requisites
BIO00307 - Human Physiology BIO01202 Anatomy and Physiology II
Unit aim
Introduces basic chemical and biochemical concepts focused on providing students with an understanding of the molecular basis of physiological processes. The unit covers the basics of carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism, the role of enzymes and the effects of exercise on these metabolic pathways and gene expression.
Unit content
Topic 1: Introduction to atomic and molecular structure and chemical properties
Topic 2: Overview of functional groups in organic chemistry and the properties of water
Topic 3: Amino acids, protein structure, functions and biosynthesis and response to exercise
Topic 4: Enzymes, coenzymes, and reaction kinetics
Topic 5: Structure, function and metabolism of carbohydrates and response to exercise
Topic 6: Structure, functions and metabolism of lipids and response to exercise
Topic 7: Metabolism, bioenergetics and the ATP cycle and response to exercise
Topic 8: Other molecules essential to human systems: nucleic acids, cofactors and coenzymes
Topic 9: Cellular response to injury, inflammation and adaptations to lifestyle and exercise
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | GA1 | GA2 | GA3 | GA4 | GA5 | GA6 | GA7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | describe the physical and chemical characteristics of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids and relate this to their function and organisation within the human body | |||||||
| 2 | explain the significance of protein enzyme catalysed reactions in living systems and examine enzyme kinetics in cellular respiration | |||||||
| 3 | discuss the metabolic pathways that relate to the storage and production of cellular energy from carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and apply these to the changes in energy demand during exercise | |||||||
| 4 | describe the regulation of cellular respiration and relate this to changes in energy demand during exercise of different intensities | |||||||
| 5 | discuss cellular and metabolic adaptations and the inflammatory process due to exercise particularly in relation to adipocytes and muscle fibres | |||||||
| 6 | collect, interpret and present biochemical experimental data in a laboratory report and be able to critically discuss the findings | |||||||
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
-
describe the physical and chemical characteristics of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids and relate this to their function and organisation within the human body
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
explain the significance of protein enzyme catalysed reactions in living systems and examine enzyme kinetics in cellular respiration
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
discuss the metabolic pathways that relate to the storage and production of cellular energy from carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and apply these to the changes in energy demand during exercise
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
describe the regulation of cellular respiration and relate this to changes in energy demand during exercise of different intensities
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
discuss cellular and metabolic adaptations and the inflammatory process due to exercise particularly in relation to adipocytes and muscle fibres
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
collect, interpret and present biochemical experimental data in a laboratory report and be able to critically discuss the findings
- GA1:
- GA4:
Prescribed texts
- I strongly recommend that you invest in a copy of this text. It is straightforward and accessible. Weekly readings are based on this book: Mougios, V, 2006, Exercise Biochemistry, Human Kinetics, Illinois, USA. ISBN: 13:9780736056380.