Handbook

Biochemistry is a field of science that describes the molecules and interactions that underlie biological systems and life itself. This field is central to most studies in biology and life sciences and is leveraged in biomedical research and the biotechnology industry. In this subject, students are introduced to cell biology and cell metabolism, building on the concepts developed in Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCH2IBM). Students study the mechanism by which enzymes promote sequences of chemical reactions; concepts of bioenergetics and thermodynamics; the different and interconnected metabolic pathways that oxidise macronutrients such as carbohydrates, lipids and proteins into ATP, the energy currency of cells; and how cells dynamically adapt their metabolic utilisation to generate biomolecules for their function. Understanding these concepts in metabolic biochemistry will be consolidated throughout the semester in tutorials focused on appreciating how metabolism has profound consequences to cellular and organism function, and often disease. Laboratory techniques commonly utilized in biochemistry including enzyme kinetics and metabolism assays, will be introduced through practical activities.