KJM2400 Biochemistry Course description

The students will acquire knowledge about cells, biological macromolecules and the most important chemical reactions that take place in cells. They will also develop skills in protein and DNA analysis, and enzyme kinetics.

The course builds on KJPE1300 General Chemistry and KJM1400 Organic Chemistry.

To take this course at least 30 ECTS from the 1.year in the bachelor programme must be passed. Approved laboratory course in KJM1400 Organic Chemistry and KJM1500 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 cell structure and the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• can explain the structure and function of the most important biochemical molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
• can present different methods to analyze biochemical molecules, specially proteins
• can explain the structure and function of antibodies
• can explain the function of enzymes and understand basic enzyme kinetic theories
• can describe metabolic processes such as glycolysis, the citric acid cycle and the electron transport chain
• can explain DNA synthesis (replication), RNA synthesis (transcription) and protein synthesis (translation) in prokaryotic cells

Skills

The student is capable of:

• analyzing the protein concentration in a sample using spectroscopy
• identifying proteins using SDS-PAGE (gel electrophoresis) and Western blotting
• performing basic enzyme kinetic experiments
• performing restriction digestion of plasmid DNA and analysis of DNA using agarose gel electrophoresis
• performing health risk assessments and classifying chemical compounds and solutions
• planning and performing biochemical experiments
• communicating the results of laboratory experiments both orally and in writing

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:

• 4-day laboratory course and 2 written lab reports (in groups of 2-4 students, 8-14 pages per report)
• A group assignment (2-4 students per group) in the form of an oral presentation.

Individual written exam under supervision, 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.

No aids allowed

Grade scale A-F.

One internal examiner. External examiners are used regularly.