Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PHB1503

 
TITLE Molecules of Life

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Physiology and Biochemistry

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit will teach students that all living organisms are highly complex and diverse, and that they all use the same types of biomolecules, forms and sources of energy.

This study-unit provides an introduction to the multidisciplinary science of Biochemistry. It describes the molecules and building blocks of biochemistry, focusing on their biological functions of the four classes of biomolecules, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids, in view of their chemical properties. Both theoretical and experimental methods of determining the types and concentrations of these molecules are explored.

This study-unit describes how energy is stored in and produced by biological carbon molecules and introduces the student to metabolic logic.

Study-unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to:
- Describe the broad range of biological polymers and the monomeric units from which they are built;
- Explain the role of water in living systems;
- Discuss how biological buffers maintain physiological pH;
- Describe how the forces at work hold molecules together and guide their interactions;
- Identify where in the body and where in a cell particular molecules are found;
- Explain the physicochemical properties of biomolecules and why these are important for their function; and
- Describe metabolic logic in terms of energy storage and production.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Describe the structures of a number of biomolecules including monomeric building blocks of larger polymers such as proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids;
- Describe the various functions of each class of biomolecules;
- Explain why the physicochemical properties of biopolymers are important for their function;
- Discuss the character and function of the different chemical bonds in biological molecules and structures;
- Comprehend the principles governing pH;
- Discuss how biological buffers maintain pH;
- Outline pathways of central carbon metabolism;
- Describe the principles of UV/Vis spectroscopy; and
- Describe the principles of circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Calculate the concentrations of conjugate acids and bases from known pH and pK;
- Prepare a buffer at the required concentration and pH;
- Calculate the concentration of protein or DNA from absorbance measurements;
- Measure the concentration of a protein by colorimetric assay;
- Interpret CD data; and
- Work safely in the laboratory.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Nelson, D. L. and Cox, M. M. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry. 6th edition. New York, Worth Publishers. 2013.
- Berg, J. M., Tymoczko, J. L., Gatto, G. J. and Stryer, L. Biochemistry. 8th edition. London, Palgrave Macmillan. 2015.

Supplementary Reading:

- Watson, D. J., Baker, T, A., Gann, A., Levine, M. and Losick, R. Molecular Biology of the Gene. 7th edition. New York: Cold Spring Harbor Press. 2013.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Independent Study, Lecture, Practicum & Seminar

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Practical SEM1 Yes 20%
Examination (2 Hours) SEM1 Yes 80%

 
LECTURER/S Gary J. Hunter (Co-ord.)
Marita Vella

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit