Lesson Structure:  Biochemistry - Animals BSC103

There are 10 lessons as follows:

1  Introduction to biochemistry

• The Basics: Atoms, Chemical bonds and Molecules, The Periodic Table 
• Parts of a Molecule 
• Nomenclature
• Aromaticity
• Organisms and Organic Compounds

2  Lipids and proteins

• Carbohydrate
• Types of Carbohydrate: Monosaccharides, Oligosaccharides, Polysaccharides
• Carbohydrate Function
• Lipids: Fatty Acids, Triglycerides, Phospholipids, Sterols, Terminology
• Commercially useful Fats and Lipids: Drying Oils (in paints & lacquers), Soaps, Detergents, Waxes
• Proteins: Fibrous Proteins, Globular Protein, Functional Categorisation of Proteins, Proteins in the Human Diet

3  Enzymes and hormones

• Hormones
• Summary of Endocrine Glands in the Human Body
• Enzymes: Enzyme Activation, Enzyme Deactivation
• Digestion: Fermentation, Maltose, Hydrochloric Acid, Gastric Juice, Pepsin, Chyme, Pancreatic juice, Bile, Glycogen, Fatty Acids
• Digestive Enzymes      
• Digestive Hormones

4  Nucleic acids

• Nucleic Acids: Pentose Sugars, Nitrogenous Bases
• Nuclotide Structure
• DNA & RNA
• ATP - The Body's Energy Reservoir: Sources of ATP

5  Thermo-regulation

• Lowering Temperature
• Raising Temperature
• Effect of Temperature on Enzymes: Heat Shock Proteins
• Sweat (Sudoriferous) Glands: Eccrine Glands, Apocrine Glands, Physiological Values For Other Animals
• Energy Production
• Factors Affecting Individual BMR: Growth, Body Size, Food, Thyroid Gland
• Fever: Mechanism of Fever, Shivering, Other Temperature Disorders, Grades of Fever, Signs of Fever

6  Carbohydrate metabolism

• Carbohydrates in an Animal or Human Body: Glycogenesis, Glycogenolysis, Gluconeogenesis, Hyperglycaemia, Hypoglycaemia
• Carbohydrate Oxidation: Glycolysis, Citric Acid Cycle
• Anaerobic Respiration
• Carbohydrate Storage: Fattening Animals, Sources of Carbohydrate
• Absortion of Carbohydrates   
• Carbohydrates in Mammals
• Alcohol
• Comparing Energy Pathways from Different Foods: Carbohydrates, Fats (Triglycerides), Proteins
• The Urea Cycle

7  Absorption

• Digestion: Peristalsis, Enzyme Action, Chemical Digestion
• Absorption

8  Acidity and alkalinity

• pH: Measuring pH
• Buffers
• Animal Acid Base Balance
• Respiratory Acidosis and Alkalosis
• Metabolic Acidosis and Alkalosis
• Mammalian Buffer Systems: Haemoglobin, Phosphate, Protein
• Role of the Renal System in Acid Base Balance

9  Chemical analysis

• Biochemical Testing
• Concentration Testing: Moles and Molarity
• Chromatography
• Spectrophotometry
• Analysis of Biomolecules: DNA Composition, RNA Composition, Protein Composition
• Titration

10 Biochemical applications

• Environmental and Agricultural Testing
• Medical Science
• Poisons/Toxins
• Cell Culture

Learning Goals:  Biochemistry - Animals BSC103

• Identify characteristics of common chemical compounds important in animal and human biochemistry.
• Explain the characteristics of major biochemical groups, including carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
• Explain the characteristics of chemicals which control biological processes in animals and humans, including enzymes and hormones.
• Explain the role of nucleic acids in the biology of animals and humans.
• Explain the role of thermo-regulation in animals and humans.
• Explain the role of carbohydrate metabolism in animals and humans.
• Identify the characteristics of acidity and alkalinity in relation to animals and humans.
• Develop simple chemical analysis skills relevant to testing animals.
• Identify applications and uses for biochemical processes and products.

Practicals:

• Explain the formulae of ten specified chemical compounds commonly found in animals and humans
• Calculate the percentages of elements contained in two specified chemical compounds
• Differentiate between characteristics of major groups of biochemicals including:
  • carbohydrates
  • proteins
  • amino acids
  • lipids
  • nucleic acids
• Identify differences between monosaccharides
• Differentiate between plant and animal/human biochemistry, with three examples of biochemical processes unique to eachand polysaccharides
• Differentiate between a fat and an oil
• Explain the characteristics of a specified protein formula
• Compare two fibrous proteins with two globular proteins
• Explain the functions of carbohydrates in animals/humans
• Explain two commercial applications for lipids in the learners chosen industry.
• Explain two commercial applications for proteins in the learner's industry
• Explain two commercial applications for carbohydrates in the industry the learner's industry
• Distinguish between an enzyme and a hormone
• Explain how one specific enzyme functions in an animal/human
• Explain how one specific hormone functions in an animal/human
• Explain the relevance of hormones to the learner's chosen industry sector
• Explain the relevance of enzymes to the learner's chosen industry sector
• Define relevant terminology, including:
  • nitrogenous base
  • double helix model
  • nucleotides
  • pentose sugars

• Explain the importance of RNA in animals/humans, including:
  • location in cells
  • Explain the importance of DNA in animals/humans
  • Describe the biological and chemical differences between RNA and DNA
  • Explain the role of ATP in providing energy for various cellular activities
  • Explain the mechanisms of body heat production in animals/humans
  • Describe the homeostatic processes which regulate body temperature
  • Explain the mechanisms of body heat loss in animals/humans
  • List the main biochemical processes involved in animal/human carbohydrate metabolism
  • Explain glycolysis, including the sequence of chemical reactions involved
  • Explain the Krebs cycle, including the sequence of chemical reactions involved
  • Explain the electron transport chain, including the sequence of chemical reactions involved
  • Explain differences in animal/human carbohydrate metabolism for a specified situation
  • Explain the processes occurring during the absorptive (fed) state
  • Explain the processes occurring during the post absorptive (fasting) state Describe three chemical buffering effects
  • Explain the role of pH in the control of respiration
  • Explain the importance and methods of pH control of human blood
  • Identify factors involved in controlling acidity and alkalinity in a specific case study
  • Compare a chemical test kits (eg. indicator strips) with chemical meters (eg. haemoglobin meter)
  • Explain the practical applications of various analytical techniques in industry
  • Determine the value of analytical techniques used in the learners industry sector
  • Differentiate between chemical toxicity and tolerance
  • Explain the implications of LD50 characteristics of five different chemical substances
  • Explain the implications of half-life characteristics of five different chemical substances
  • List the active toxins in ten poisonous plants or animals which commonly occur your locality
  • Explain the effects of two naturally occurring toxins on the human body
  • Explain the function and use of two different plants as medicines, for humans or animals
  • Determine three different applications for animal tissue culture

Student Testimonials  - see what they think!

"I undertook this module last summer as I needed to cover the requirement to be accepted into a Biomedical Science Degree course. I managed to complete the coursework and exam for Biochemistry I and III modules in just over two months(200h study time). It was very intense mainly because of my deadline to be accepted into the university course. I guess it could been easier if I didn't have to complete it within such short amount of time. My tutor was great, I spoke to her from the start and explained I needed to work at a really fast pace. She cooperated and clarified my doubts whenever I needed it. Overall I had a really good experience studying with ADL. When doing distance learning study, you really need to focus and be disciplined, but it is all worth it at the end. I was accepted into my course, I've completed my first year and about to start the second one. Thank you ADL and my tutor Juliette Ivanova for your support  -  Maria R, Biochemistry I, (Animals) and Biochemistry III (Biochemical Processes)", UK

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