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 enzyme kinetics.

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 explain the difference between the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• has a basic understanding of the growth, nutrient uptake and classification of microorganisms
• can explain the structure and function of the most important biochemical molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
• can describe the structure and function of biological membranes
• can explain the functions of enzymes and coenzymes and understand basic 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 enzymatic tests
• performing a growth experiment and constructing a bacterial growth curve
• using basic protein isolation methods and analysing the protein amount and purity with the help of gel electrophoresis and spectroscopy
• performing basic enzyme kinetic experiments
• performing health risk assessments and classifying chemical compounds and solutions

General competence

The student:

• is capable of planning and using aseptic techniques 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.

The course consists of lectures, exercises and laboratory experiments.

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

• 5-day laboratory course and 3 written reports (1 individual lab journal and 3 reports in groups of 2-4 students, 10-20 pages per report)
• 2 of 8 exercises

Individual written exam, 3 hours.

The exam result can be appealed.

In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, oral instead of written examination may be used. In case of an oral exam the result cannot be appealed.

Grade scale A-F.

One internal examiner. External examiners are used regularly.

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

Students have in total 3 attempts to take an exam, and this includes attempts in equivalent courses.