Biochemistry III (Animal Processes)

The Biochemistry III Animal Processes course has been developed in response to industry demand and is specifically designed to equip graduates with work-ready skills. Each participant will be trained and assessed in theory and in practical tasks. Real-world exercises are used throughout the program. 

Biochemistry is the study of chemical processes in living organisms. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes. By controlling information flow through biochemical signalling and the flow of chemical energy through metabolism, biochemical processes give rise to the incredibly complexity of life. Much of biochemistry deals with the structures and functions of cellular components such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and other biomolecules although increasingly processes rather than individual molecules are the main focus. Over the last 40 years biochemistry has become so successful at explaining living processes that now almost all areas of the life sciences from botany to medicine are engaged in biochemical research. Today the main focus of pure biochemistry is in understanding how biological molecules give rise to the processes that occur within living cells which in turn relates greatly to the study and understanding of whole organisms.

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
   • Including: sources of energy; the digestive process as a source of energy; components of the cell; catabolic and anabolic metabolism, energy exchanges; free energy; enthalpy; entropy; energy transporters; ATP; oxidation-reduction process; enzymes.
2. Glycolysis and Glycogen Metabolism
   • Including: glucose, glycoysis; activation of glycolysis; metabolism of pyruvate; glycogen; fructose and galactose.
3. Movement through Membranes
   • Including: membranes; kinetics and mechanisms of movement; mediated and non-mediated transport; passive mediated glucose transport; ion gradient active transport; ATP driven active transport; ionophores.
4. Electron Transport and Oxidative Phosphorylation
   • Including: the mitochondrion; electron transport; oxidative phosphorylation; citric acid cycle; control of ATP production.
5. Sugar and Polysaccharide Metabolism
   • Including: sugars; glycoproteins; biosynthesis of oliogsaccharides and glycoproteins; pentose phosphate pathway.
6. Lipid Metabolism
   • Including: lipids, lipid metabolism; pancreas and bile acid; transport across the mitochondrial membrane; fatty acid oxidation in the mitochondrion; beta oxidation; unsaturated fatty acid oxidation; ketone bodies; biosynthesis of fatty acids; metabolic control and regulation of fatty acid metabolism; cholesterol synthesis, control of cholesterol biosynthesis and transport; arachidonate metabolism; phospholipid and glycolipid metabolism.
7. Amino Acid Metabolism
   • Including: amino acids, amino acid metabolism, transamination, synthesis, amino acid catabolism; glucogenic and ketogenic; the urea cycle; biosynthetic precursors and the role of amino acids; physiologically active amines; biosynthsis of non-essential amino acids; biosynthesis of essential amino acids; aspartate family; pyruvate family; aromatic family; histidine; major organs; nitrogen fixation.
8. Nucleotide Metabolism
   • Including: nuclei acids; nucleotides; synthesis and regulation of ribonucleotides; purines; pyramidines; formation of DNA, nucleotide degradation; purine catabolism; purine nucleotide cycle; nucleotide coenzymes in animals.
9. Enzyme Activity
   • Including: enzymes; enzyme classification; enzyme kinetics; enzyme regulation; induced fit; lock and key mechanism.
10. Other Processes
    • Including: homeostasis; hormones; neurotransmitters; signalling cascade; receptor binding; nuclear localisation signals.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.