Download Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Course
Specifications
Valid as from the academic year 2017-2018
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (I001838)
Course size
Credits 5.0
(nominal values; actual values may depend on programme)
Study time 150 h
Contact hrs
50.0 h
Course offerings and teaching methods in academic year 2017-2018
A (semester 1)
seminar: coached exercises
3.75 h
practicum
3.75 h
guided self-study
6.25 h
lecture
36.25 h
Lecturers in academic year 2017-2018
Van Damme, Els
Gheysen, Godelieve
LA14
LA14
Offered in the following programmes in 2017-2018
Bachelor of Science in Bioscience Engineering (main subject
Agricultural Sciences)
Bachelor of Science in Bioscience Engineering (main subject Cell
and Gene Biotechnology)
Bachelor of Science in Bioscience Engineering (main subject
Chemistry and Food Technology)
Bachelor of Science in Bioscience Engineering (main subject
Environmental Technology)
Bachelor of Science in Bioscience Engineering (main subject Land
and Forest Management)
Joint Section Bachelor of Science in Bio-Engineering
lecturer-in-charge
co-lecturer
crdts
5
offering
A
5
A
5
A
5
A
5
A
5
A
Teaching languages
Dutch
Keywords
Part Biochemistry: Macromolecules, enzymes, enzyme kinetics, central
metabolism, Part Molecular Biology: Gene expression, transcription, translation, gene
regulation, PCR, DNA sequence analysis, GMO
Position of the course
Every student must know the basic principles of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Part Biochemistry
This course provides a fundamental base for the study (structure, organisation and
function) and optimal control of living matter (animal, plant and microorganism). After a
survey of the molecular building blocks and of the macromolecules of the living cell, the
properties and kinetics of enzymes as biocatalysts are covered. Finally, the principles
and major pathways of the central metabolism are discussed.
Part Molecular Biology
This part zooms in on the structure-function relationship of DNA and chromosomes.
Genome analysis and -databases are explained. The basic principles of recombinant
DNA techniques are explained (with discussion about GMO's). An important aim of this
part is to bring insight into gene structure, gene expression and gene regulation,
including the differences between pro-and eukaryotes.
Contents
Part Biochemistry
(Proposal)
1
Deel 1: Biochemistry as a science
1.1. The study area of biochemistry
1.2. Cells are built up of 4 groups of biomolecules
1.3. Structural organisation of living cells
1.4. Structure and properties of water
1.5. Non-covalent bonds in biomolecules
1.6. Water as a solvent for biomolecules
1.7. Acid-base chemistry – Ion equilibria
Deel 2: Biomolecules
2.1. Nucleotides and Nucleic acids
2.2. Amino acids, Peptides and proteins
2.3. Carbohydrates
2.4. Lipids
2.5. Vitamins and Co-enzymes
Deel 3: Enzymes, enzyme kinetics and biocatalysis
3.1.
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.
Catalysis and Enzymes
Reaction mechanisms
Kinetics of enzymatic reactions
Regulation of enzyme activity in vivo
Deel 4: Central metabolism
4.1. Metabolism and Energy
4.2. Carbohydrate metabolism – Anaerobic processes
4.3. Carbohydrate metabolism – Oxidative processes
4.4. Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation
4.5. Fatty acid metabolism
4.6. Amino acid metabolism
Part Molecular Biology
1. DNA and genome analysis
1.1. DNA- and chromosome structure
1.2. Genome structure and data bases
1.3. DNA replication in the cell
1.4. PCR and DNA sequence-analysis
2. Gene expression
2.1. Transcription, function of a promoter
2.2. Splicing
2.3. Translation and localisation of proteins
2.4. Basic principles of gene regulation in pro- and eukaryotes
3. Basic principles recombinant DNA
3.1.Restriction-enzymes and cloning in plasmids
3.2. DNA/RNA Hybridisation
3.3. Transformation, GMO-discussion
Exercises
1. DNA extraction, Restriction analysis, PCR, Gel electrophoresis
2. DNA analysis: mutations, sequence alignments and comparison, function
Initial competences
Part Biochemistry
Basic principles of organic chemistry: nomenclature, reaction mechanisms, functional
groups, steric structures
Part Molecular Biology
Basic principles of biochemistry
Final competences
1 Part Biochemistry
(Proposal)
2
1 Knowledge of structure and design of biomolecules in the cell 1 2 Knowledge of activity and regulation of enzymes
3 Knowledge of central metabolism, especially the catabolic processes that generate
1 energy
4 Knowledge of correct terminology with respect to biomolecules and metabolic
1 processes
5 Part Molecular Biology
1 Insight in gene structure, gene expression and gene regulation
6 to use PCR for DNA analysis with interpretation of the results
7 to search and analyse DNA sequences in data bases
8 to execute tasks in DNA and gene analysis
9 to know the correct terminology for molecular genetics and recombinant DNA
1 technology
Conditions for credit contract
Access to this course unit via a credit contract is determined after successful competences
assessment
Conditions for exam contract
This course unit cannot be taken via an exam contract
Teaching methods
Guided self-study, lecture, practicum, seminar: coached exercises
Extra information on the teaching methods
The exercises comprise partly practicals in the lab and partly coached PC-classes. The
exercises are a compulsory part of the course.
Learning materials and price
A written course is available; some reference books are recommended.
References
Standard books dealing with biochemistry and molecular biology
Course content-related study coaching
The students can ask questions personally or by email to the professor or the
assistants.
Evaluation methods
end-of-term evaluation
Examination methods in case of periodic evaluation during the first examination period
Written examination with open questions
Examination methods in case of periodic evaluation during the second examination period
Written examination with open questions
Examination methods in case of permanent evaluation
Participation
Possibilities of retake in case of permanent evaluation
not applicable
Calculation of the examination mark
The student has to pass for both parts (Biochemistry / Molecular Biology).
Students who eschew period aligned evaluations for this course unit may be failed by
the examinator.
(Proposal)
3