The Chemical Foundations of Life

Course Content:

The module is intended to introduce basic chemistry from first principles with particular
emphasis on application to biology and biochemistry. The module also provides students
with an understanding of the structure and function of the major classes of biological
molecules.

Autumn Semester content summary: carbon structures, chemical reactions and
calculations.

? Structure of the atom: protons, neutrons, electrons; electrons and orbitals;
metals and non-metals, ions, radicals.
? Structure of molecules; from small organics to large biomolecules, identification
and naming of common functional groups.
? Atomic and molecular measurements; molecular mass, moles, concentration
? 3D molecular shape and isomerism: optical and geometrical isomerism,
configuration and conformations.
? Bonding within molecules (covalent) and between molecules (ionic, hydrogen,
van der Waals).
? Distribution of electrons within molecules; electronegativity; inductive and
resonance effects.
? Movement of electrons between molecules; making and breaking of bonds;
equilibrium, substitution, elimination, reduction and oxidation reactions.
? Common reactions of organic and bio-organic molecules.
? Water; physical, solvent and colligative properties.
? Acids and bases, pH and pKa.

Spring Semester content summary: fundamental biochemistry of proteins, lipids,
carbohydrates, bioenergetics and enzyme kinetics.

? An introduction to structures and functions of the major groups of biomolecules
including:
Proteins; amino acids, peptides and proteins, protein structure and function;
Carbohydrates; mono-, di- and polysaccharides, structure and functions;
Lipids; fatty acids, triacylglycerols, membrane lipids and sterols.
? Bioenergetic principles and an overview of energy-generating pathways and their
roles in aerobic and anaerobic respiration (glycolysis, citric acid cycle and
oxidative phosphorylation).
? Kinetics of reactions: order, simple integrated rate equations, Arrhenius
equation.
? Introduction to enzyme kinetics (Km, Vmax, competitive and non-competitive
inhibitors).
? Laboratory skills: titrations, qualitative chemical analysis, the effect of
temperature change on rate. Construction and use of standard curves in
quantitating unknown analytes.

Teaching: Lectures, tutorials, workshops and practical sessions

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? Exam: MCQ and SAQ test (50%)
? Practical: MCQ test (15%)
? Coursework: Written reports, online tests, problem worksheet (35%)
STUDY OPTION 2:
? On line report for titration practical, practical MCQ test, taught material MCQ
test
STUDY OPTION 3:
? Proforma based practical report on enzyme kinetics and protein assay practicals,
MCQ & SAQ test on taught material.

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer