Biochemistry and Metabolism (11734.1)

This unit provides a comprehensive exploration of metabolism. It examines the synthesis and breakdown of biomolecules as fuels and building blocks for the human body to function. This unit introduces students to metabolism and energy transfer mechanisms and explores the main catabolic and anabolic pathways for carbohydrates, proteins and fats together with their regulation. Emphasis will be placed on the utilisation of these nutrients under different physiological conditions and selected metabolic/nutritional diseases. This unit is co-taught with Biochemistry and Metabolism G.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Differentiate between major biochemical pathways used in humans, both to extract energy from the key nutrients and to synthesise new cellular components;

2. Examine the role of energy in living cells, with particular reference to the concept of free energy and the role of ATP;
3. Discriminate between the mechanisms of metabolic control of the main catabolic and anabolic pathways;
4. Integrate acquired knowledge of metabolic pathways to examine metabolic changes in disease; and
5. Collect experimental data and apply biochemical principles to the interpretation and validation of this data.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

11733 Fundamentals of Biochemistry

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

6518 Human Biochemistry

Assumed knowledge

None.