KJM2400 Biochemistry Course description

The students will acquire knowledge about different types of cells and their structures, biochemical macromolecules and the most important chemical reactions that take place in cells. They will also develop skills in aseptic technique and growing of microorganisms, isolation and analysis of proteins and DNA. 

The course builds on KJPE1300 General Chemistry and KJFP1400 Organic Chemistry.

Approved laboratory course in KJPE1400 Organic Chemistry and KJTS1500 Physical Chemistry, or corresponding qualifications.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• can define the difference between the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• has a basic understanding of the growth, nutrient uptake and classification of microorganism
• can present the structure and function of the most important biochemical compounds in the groups carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
• can describe the structure and function of biological membranes
• can explain the functions of enzymes and coenzymes and explain simple enzyme kinetic theories
• can describe metabolic processes such as glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, electron transport chains, lipid metabolism and photosynthesis
• can explain DNA synthesis (replication), RNA synthesis (transcription) and protein synthesis (translation) in prokaryotic organisms

Skills

The student is capable of:

• growing and classifying/identifying some types of microorganisms with the help of gram staining, microscopy, metabolism experiments and enzyme tests
• performing a growth experiment and constructing a bacterial growth curve
• using simple isolation methods for proteins and analysing the amount and purity with the help of gel electrophoresis and spectroscopy
• isolating DNA and analysing the amount and purity using spectroscopy
• performing simple enzyme kinetic experiments
• performing health risk assessments and classifying chemical compounds and solutions

General competence

The student:

• is capable of planning and using aseptic technique to perform biochemical experiments
• is aware of the ethical and environmental consequences of working with living organisms
• is capable of communicating the results of biochemical and microbiological laboratory experiments, both orally and in writing
• is capable of assessing chemical risks associated with work in chemical enterprises and laboratories.

Lectures, exercises and laboratory assignments.

Coursework spring 2021 due to Covid-19:

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can sit the exam:

• 6-day laboratory course with 4 written assignments (groups of 2-4 students, 10-20 pages per assignment)

• approval of 4 of 8 exercises (2-4 hours per exercise)

Coursework earlier:

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can sit the exam:

• 6-day laboratory course with 4 written assignments (groups of 2-4 students, 10-20 pages per assignment)

• approval of 6 of 8 exercises (2-4 hours per exercise)

Individual written exam, 3 hours.

The exam result can be appealed.

In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, oral examination may be used instead of written. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the exam result cannot be appealed.

Pre-approved dictionary.

Grade scale A-F.

One internal examiner. External examiners are used regularly.

The course has an overlap of 10 credits with KJTP2411 and KJTS2410.

Under the rule that students have three attempts to take an exam, attempts in equivalent courses also count.