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CH10191: Chemistry of the cell

[Page last updated: 21 April 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/3
Owning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to:
* describe the structure and explain the function of cell organelles
* describe the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
* understand how proteins are key to cellular function
* explain how the secondary and tertiary structures of proteins control structure and function
* understand how enzymes catalyse reactions
* describe how receptors communicate information
* understand the central role of protein targets in the drug discovery process
* explain how nucleic acids encode genetic information
* describe how proteins are synthesised on the ribosome.

Aims: To teach the students the fundamentals of biochemistry with an emphasis on its central role in the drug discovery process.

Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Numeracy & computation T/F/A, Problem solving T/F, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently F

Content: Overview of the cell. Proteins: amino acids - structures, ionisation and physical properties; primary, secondary and tertiary structure and an overview of protein folding, conformation and degradation. Enzymes: catalysis, kinetics, regulation. Receptors: structure and signal transduction; agonists, antagonists, mode of action. Common methods for purifying and analysing proteins. Nucleic acids: structures, ionisation and physical properties; DNA: primary and secondary structure; packaging; replication, transcription. Different types of RNA; Protein synthesis: the ribosome and mRNA translation. Relevant examples of different drugs directed at different biological targets with an emphasis on understanding their mode of action at a molecular level.

Programme availability:

CH10191 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AFB07 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Year 1)
  • USCH-AAB08 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCH-AKB08 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Industrial Placement (Year 1)
  • USCH-AFM05 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Year 1)
  • USCH-AAM06 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Study year abroad (Year 1)
  • USCH-AKM03 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Industrial Placement (Year 1)

CH10191 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.