Unit information: Biochemistry: Cellular Processes in 2019/20

Unit name	Biochemistry: Cellular Processes
Unit code	BIOC10004
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Gus Cameron
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	A-level Biology or equivalent strongly advised
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Biochemistry
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Biochemistry: Cellular Processes gives students the skills and knowledge needed to understand major cellular processes and how they are powered. Topics covered include cell structure, the cytoskeleton, the secretory pathway, cell division, cellular dynamics and cell movement, the basic properties of carbohydrates, the principal metabolic pathways found in cells and their regulation, membrane-based energy transduction, regulation of metabolism, hormones and signal transduction, and the cell biology of development.

The unit is supported by laboratory classes and workshops that build ability and confidence in the practical, numerical and written skills required by scientists. This material is supported by online resources delivered through Blackboard and eBioLabs.

Unit contents

• Regulation of metabolism
• Hormones and signal transduction
• Carbohydrate metabolism
• Fat metabolism
• Oxidative phosphorylation and ATP
• Cell division and dynamics
• The cytoskeleton
• The secretory pathway
• The cell biology of development

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the unit a successful student will be able to

1. Analyse and interpret metabolic pathways.
2. Describe energy generation within cells.
3. Compare and contrast regulatory strategies.
4. Compare and contrast the breakdown and synthesis of fats and carbohydrates.
5. Predict the outcome of inhibiting or bypassing components of oxidative phosphorylation.
6. Discuss cellular dynamics and division.
7. Identify how cells maintain their structure.
8. Describe the key drivers of cell development.

The units aims to develop the following skills:

9. Logical deduction, calculation and the application of scientific methods

10. Presentation of scientific arguments both verbally and in written form in a clear and rigorous manner.

11. Completion of practical work using standard laboratory apparatus and demonstrate the proper use of scientific units.

12. Observation, measurement, calculation and interpretation of scientific data.

Teaching Information

The teaching in the unit is delivered through 30 1-hour lectures and is supported by five 3-hour practical sessions and four 90-minute workshops.

Assessment Information

The overall mark for the unit will be determined as follows:

• Practical work (20%): students undertake practicals throughout the unit. Marks are allocated to pre-lab tests (20% of the marks) hosted on the online dynamic laboratory manual, eBiolabs, and practical write-ups (80% of the marks)
• Examination (80%): one 3-hour paper consisting of MCQs, short form data handling questions and short-form written answers.

Opportunities for formative feedback will be available via practicals and workshops.

Intended learning outcomes will be assessed as follows:

• Learning outcomes 1-8 will primarily assessed through the three hour unit examination.
• Learning outcomes 9-12 will be assessed through summative laboratory reports.

Reading and References

Recommended reading includes:

1. Biochemistry (Berg, Tymoczko & Stryer, Freeman, 7th Edition, ISBN-13: 978-1429276351).
2. Instant Notes in Biochemistry (Hames & Hooper, 4^th Edition, ISBN-13: 978-3137842019).
3. Biochemistry (Voet & Voet, Wiley, 4th Edition, ISBN-13: 978-0470570951).
4. Principles of Biochemistry (Voet, Voet & Pratt, Wiley, 4^th Edition, ISBN-13 978-1118092446)