Human Biochemistry

SCI 8030NEF

Course Guide

Human Biochemistry

SCI 8030NEF

Course Guide

Human Biochemistry

Course Start Date

N/A

Course Level

N/A

Length in Terms

N/A

Credits

N/A

Language

N/A

Fees ($) (including lab fees)

N/A

Future Terms

Quota and Schedule

Course Start Date	Course Level	Length in Terms	Credits	Language	Fees ($) (including lab fees)	Future Terms
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Quota and Schedule

Course Coordinator:

Dr Davis Lui Kwok-ho, PhD (PolyU)

Aims

The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the chemistry of crucial and important biological molecules, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. The focus is on their metabolic functions within biological systems, as well as at the molecular and cellular levels. This foundational knowledge will serve as a basis for further studies in biomedical-related disciplines.

Contents

Topic 1. Water and aqueous system

Properties of water
Interactions and bonding
Ionisation of water, weak acids and weak bases
Mechanism of blood pH and buffer system

Topic 2. Chemistry of carbohydrates, protein, lipids and nucleic acids

Definition and classification of carbohydrates, protein, lipids and nucleic acids
Structure, chemical properties and functions of carbohydrates, protein, lipids and nucleic acids

Topic 3. Biological oxidations

Introduction, enzymes and coenzymes of biological oxidation
Electron transport chain or respiratory chain
Oxidative phosphorylation, inhibitors and uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation
Pyruvate oxidation and citric acid cycle

Topic 4. Energy metabolism

Glycolysis and aerobic respiration
Pentose phosphate pathway of NADPH
Glucogenic and ketogenic amino acids
Metabolism of ketone bodies
Fatty acid and lipids metabolism
Related disorders such as glycosuria and diabetes mellitus

Topic 5. Haemoglobins

Chemistry and functions of haemoglobin
Introduction to heme synthesis
Heme degradation and types of normal and abnormal haemoglobin
Types of jaundice

Topic 6. Enzymes

Types, properties, classification and nomenclature
Definition of zymogen and proenzyme
Co-factors and comparison of free energy of activation
Classification of enzymes
Specificity factors affecting enzymes activity
Enzyme inhibition
Isoenzymes
Diagnostic importance of different enzymes

Learning support

Lecture: 22 hours

Tutorial: 11 hours

Laboratory: Six hours

Assessment

Course assessment includes continuous assessment and a final written examination. Continuous assessment includes laboratory reports, presentations and a mid-term test.

Set book(s)

There is no set book in this course.