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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 and bonding
Topic 2: Overview of functional groups in organic chemistry, the properties of water and acid/base equilibria
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 | outline fundamental chemical and biochemical concepts | |||||||
| 2 | describe the physical and chemical characteristics of major classes of biological molecules | |||||||
| 3 | describe the biochemistry of muscle contraction and relaxation | |||||||
| 4 | summarise the core metabolic pathways and apply this to changing conditions | |||||||
| 5 | critically review the evidence about the regulation of core metabolic pathways | |||||||
| 6 | collect, report and interpret laboratory experimental data and critically discuss the findings | |||||||
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
-
outline fundamental chemical and biochemical concepts
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
describe the physical and chemical characteristics of major classes of biological molecules
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
describe the biochemistry of muscle contraction and relaxation
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
summarise the core metabolic pathways and apply this to changing conditions
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
critically review the evidence about the regulation of core metabolic pathways
- GA1:
- GA4:
-
collect, report and interpret laboratory experimental data and 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.