BS12110 - CHEMICAL BASIS OF BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES

Module Identifier

BS12110

Module Title

CHEMICAL BASIS OF BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES

Academic Year

2003/2004

Co-ordinator

Dr David J Hopper

Semester

Semester 1

Other staff

Dr Mustak A Kaderbhai

Pre-Requisite

Normally A or AS level Chemistry or its equivalent.

Course delivery

Lecture

20 Hours

Practical

4 Hours

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Exam	2 Hours One 2-hour theory examination.	70%
Semester Assessment	Continuous Assessment: To be handed in at the end of the semester	30%
Supplementary Assessment	2 Hours One 2-hour theory examination; re-submission of all failed course work.	100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module the students should

Be able to recognise geometric and stereo isomers of organic compounds and to apply the rules to assign the correct nomenclature to simple examples of these types of isomers.
Be able to identify the major acidic and basic groups in biological systems, have an understanding of the relevance of their pK values and contribution to buffering.
Have a basic understanding of the background physical chemistry to bioenergetics and electron transport processes in nature.
Have a basic understanding of analytical techniques and to be able to interpret results from these for the identification of simple compounds.

Aims

This module aims to give the students sufficient chemical knowledge to understand the principles that underlie biological processes at the molecular level. It will buid on the students' basic knowledge of chemistry in those areas that are particularly pertinent to biology and provide them with a background for a better understanding of further studies in biochemistry.

Content

A description of bonding in organic molecules will introduce a study of structural and geometric isomerism. The conformations of simple carbon compounds and their systematic nomenclature will be considered and the importance of this form of isomerism in natural compound will be emphasised.
A survey of stereoisomerism and optical activity will include both the D and L system and the R and S nomenclature. Fischer projection formulae, seperation of enantiomers and the concept of symmetry will be described. Again the relevance to natural compounds will be emphasised.
A study of biologically important functional groups will lead to a review of the concept of pH, acids, bases and buffers drawing particularly on the examples of amino acids. Other aspects of physical chemistry will include energetics, binding of ligands and electrochemistry, again the relevance to biological processes emphasised and with examples drawn from biology. The topis of chemical equilibria and reaction kinetics will be linked with a simple consideration of enzymes and their role in biological reactions.
The major analytical methods used in biochemistry including various forms of spectroscopy and the use of isotopes will be described.
Although the major emphasis will be on organic chemistry aspects of bio-inorganic chemistry will be discussed.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Berg, J.M., Tymoczko, J.L. & Stryer, L. (2001) Biochemistry 5th. W.H. Freeman and Co.
Price, N.c., Dwek, R.A., Ratcliffe, R.G. & Wormald, M.R. (2001) Principles and problems in physical chemistry for biochemists Oxford University Press

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4