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UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Unit Title SBL 205 – BASIC METABOLISM
Purpose The unit aims to provide fundamental concepts with a focus on description, organization,
and functions of metabolic pathways of primary metabolites in microorganisms, plants and
mammalian systems.
Course Objectives
1. To deliver a concise knowledge and understanding of primary basic metabolism, an integral part
of cellular activities in all living organisms.
2. To describe and emphasize functional and regulatory aspects with illustrations of pathways and
structural features of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids.
3. To describe the importance of cellular respiration and energy metabolism.
Expected Learning Outcome
By the end of the course unit the learner should be able to:
1. Overview of the structural the features of important biomolecules in metabolism which unravel
the intricate nature of life.
Define homeostatis, differentiate between Homoeotherms and Poikilotherms
Distinguish different modes autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition
Understand anaerobic and aerobic metabolism and its importance
A good understanding of biological reductive and oxidative reactions.
Evaluate the function of ATP as energy molecule and role of NAD/FAD as electron carriers
Describe the process of light dependant reactions of photosynthesis
Describe anabolic (synthetic) and catabolic (degradation) metabolic pathways of carbohydrates,
lipids and amino acids.
9. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding cellular and mitochondrial respiration for
harvesting chemical energy during metabolism
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Course Content
Introduction to Merabolism, Anabolic and Catabolic reactions, Aerobic and Anaerobic metabolism,
Homiotherms and Poikilotherms, Autotrophs and Heterotrophs. Role of mineral elements.
Photosynthesis. Anabolic and catabolic pathways of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids. Cellular
and mitochondrial respiration and energy metabolism. Kreb’s cycle. Electron Transport Chain and
Oxidative Phosphorylation. Calorimetriy, Basal and Standard metabolic rates.
Learning & Teaching Methodologies:
Lectures, PowerPoint presentation, Class discussions, Practical (laboratory) sessions
Instructional Materials and Equipment
Laptop PC, LCD projector, Lecture Notes, Charts and Illustrations, Laboratory with adequate
facilities, Internet
Course Assessment
Continuous assements (CAT 1 & CAT 2, Laboratory reports 30 %, Examination 70 %
TOTAL = 100 %
Recommended Text Books
BIOCHEMISTRY, 3rd edition (2004), S.C. Rastogi.
PRINCIPALS OF BIOCHEMISTRY, (2004), Nelson D. L.
PRINCIPALS OF BIOCHEMISTRY (2008), A. Lehninger, D. L. Nelson & Michael M. Cox, 5th Edition
PLANT BIOCHEMISTRY, (1997), edited by P.M. Dey and J.B. Harborne, Academic Press.
FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOCHEMISTRY, LIFE AT MOLECULAR LEVEL, (2008, 3rd edition),
Donalls J. Voet, Judith Voet, Charlotte Prat., John Wiley & Sons
CHEMICAL BIOLOGY: An Introduction to Biochemistry, (1973) Bronk J.R. Macmillan, New York
Teaching Schedule
LECTURE TOPICS
1. Introduction to Metabolism
1.1 Categorize Molecules of life
1.2 The energy of life
1.3 Definition of basic metabolism
1.4 Anabolic and catabolic pathways
1.5 Organization of metabolic pathways
1.6 Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
2. Homiotherms and Poikilotherms
2.1 Definition of Homeostatis
2.2 Thermoregulation and metabolic rates
3 Autotrophic and Heterotrophic nutrition
3.1 Photoautotrophs and chemoautotrophs
3.2 Holozoic, saprophytic and parasitic nutrtition
4. Nutritional requirements
Impotance of minerals and trace elements
5. Differentiate oxidative and reductive
metabolic reactions
5.1 Role of ATP as an energy molecule
5.2 Role of NAD and NADP as electron carriers
6 Photosynthesis
6.1 Light Dependant energy building reactions
6.2 Structure and functions of chloroplast and
chlorophyll
6.3 Role and functions of photosystems
6.4 Cyclic and non-cyclic photo-phosphorylation
7 Carbohydrate Metabolism
7.1 Nomenclature - Mono, di, oligo and
polysaccharides
7.2 Gluconeogenesis – CO2 fixation (Calvin Cycle
– Dark Reactions) – Carbon reduction
7.3 Biosynthesis of Mono, Di, and
Polysaccharides and Interconversions of Hexoses
7.4 Glycolysis – Breakdown (catabolism) of
glucose to generate energy - Oxidation
7.5 Fate of Puruvate – aerobic and anaerobic
conditions
7.6 Pentose Phosphate Pathway - Alternate Route
of Glucose breakdown
7.7 Role of Trans-aldolase and Trans-ketolase
7.8 Biosynthesis of Glucose in Animals
7.9 Glycogenesis - Synthesis of glycogen from
glucose
7.10 Glycogenolysis – Glycogen breakdown
8. Lipid Metabolism
8.1 Fats & Oils – Structures and functions of
different types of lipids
8.2 Utilization of fatty acids as fuels
8.3 Biosynthesis of fatty acids and triglycerides
8.4 Action of Lipases
8.5 ß-Oxidation and α-Oxidation of Fatty acids
CAT 1
9 Amino Acid Metabolism
9.1 Source and forms Nitrogen –Nitrogen Cycle
9.2 Acid-base properties of amino acids
Lab
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Lab 1. Techniques to determine
Chlorophyll A & B
UV absorption spectra of
chlorophyll extracts
Week 4
Lab 2. Hydrolysis of starch by
Amylase
Polyphenol Oxidase activity of
apple and potato extracts
Peroxidase activity
Week 5
Lab 3 Enzymatic synthesis of starch
by phosphorylase
Week
6/7
Lab 4. Fat hydrolysis – Enzyme
Lipase
Week 8
Nitrification by soil organisms
9.2 Assimilation of ammonia - reductive amination
9.3 transamination reactions
9.4 Major biosynthetic pathways of essential and
non-essential amino acids
9.5 Oxidative Deamination and catabolic
pathways of Amino Acids
10 Cellular Respiration & Energy Metabolism
10.1 Definition and goals of cellular respiration
10.2 Harvesting of chemical energy
10.3 Stages of cellular respiration
10.4 Krebs or TCA or Citric Acid cycle reactions
10.5 Significance of Citric Acid cycle
10.6 Function and purpose of Electron Transport
Chain as electron carriers
10.7 Role of cytochromes and energy production
10.7 Oxidative phosphorylation – ATP synthesis
11. Calorimetry
11.1 Application of calorimetry in metabolic
studies
11.2 Direct and Indirect calorimetry
11.2 Respiratory Quotient and its significance
11.3 Basal and Standard metabolic rates
CAT 2
EXAMINATIONS
Week 9
Week
10
Week
11
Week
12
Weeks
14/15
Lab 5. Determination of respiratory
quotient of plant tissues