Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
BB20018 Enzymology A |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Intermediate |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: EX 80%, PR 20% |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take BB10003 and take BB10004 |
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Aims & Learning Objectives: Aims: To provide a fundamental basis for understanding the action of enzymes as catalysts, mainly at a physical level, and also those properties of enzymes arising from their nature as proteins. After taking this course the student should be able to: * understand the nature of steady-state kinetics of simple enzyme-catalysed reactions * appreciate the influence that protein structure and organisation has on the catalytic and regulatory functions of enzymes. * understand the requirements of reliable assay procedures, including practical ability. * discuss the purpose of studies of the transient phase of enzyme-catalysed reactions. * from simple mechanisms, to derive steady-state rate equations. * appreciate the role of coenzymes and their underlying basis in heterocyclic chemistry. * understand reversible inhibition and covalent modification, and the effects of pH on catalytic activity. Content: Ligand binding; steady-state and transient kinetics; theories of catalysis; allostery; multienzyme complexes; chemical modification; effects of inhibitors and pH; isoenzymes; heterocyclic chemistry and coenzymes; purification and assay |