Unit rationale, description and aim

This unit is designed to provide students with a broad theoretical and practical understanding of the metabolic biochemistry that underpins courses in general science, biomedical and plant biology. It will build on basic concepts developed in biochemistry and will focus on the study of important molecular control and modulation of cell processes. Key topics will include enzyme production and control, the metabolic process and how it is affected by different physiological states (e.g., dieting and exercise). This unit aims to develop students' technical and communication skills through the use of instrumentation in practical settings and through the analysis of scientific findings and preparation of written reports.

2025 10

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  • Semester 2Campus Attendance
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  • Semester 2Campus Attendance

Prerequisites

CHEM204 Biochemistry OR CHEM201 Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry OR CHEM207 Foundations of Biochemistry

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Describe the cellular metabolism of some key biomo...

Learning Outcome 01

Describe the cellular metabolism of some key biomolecules
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7

Compare the major metabolic pathways that are invo...

Learning Outcome 02

Compare the major metabolic pathways that are involved in the production of chemical energy from nutrients in living cells
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7

Explain the ways in which cells control correct fu...

Learning Outcome 03

Explain the ways in which cells control correct functioning of metabolic processes
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7

Explain the effect that disease, poor nutrition an...

Learning Outcome 04

Explain the effect that disease, poor nutrition and exercise can have on metabolic processes
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8

Demonstrate an understanding of experimental metho...

Learning Outcome 05

Demonstrate an understanding of experimental methodologies, data analysis and evaluation of experimental and clinical results and communication of these data and findings.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC7, GC8

Content

Topics will include:  

  • Metabolic pathways and their regulation 
  • The Citric Acid Cycle as the common metabolic pathway, the role of oxidation-reduction reactions in energy transfer, the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.  
  • Respiration and catabolic pathways: glycolysis, fermentation, glycogenolysis, fatty acid b-oxidation, amino acid deamination, the urea cycle.  
  • Biosynthetic and anabolic pathways: gluconeogenesis, glycogenesis, amino acid biosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, membrane lipid biosynthesis.  
  • Control of metabolic pathways under normal nutrition, starvation, diabetes and other metabolic diseases, anaerobic exercise, weight gain and dieting: the Cori cycle, ketone bodies,  
  • Essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals in the diet,  
  • Allosteric enzymes and metabolic pathway (feedback control)
  • Quality control and quality assurance in laboratory measurement in a Biomedical setting

 

Photosynthesis: The structure of the chloroplast, chlorophylls, light reactions, dark reactions, Calvin cycle, photorespiration and C4 cycle.  

Assessment strategy and rationale

The assessment strategy is designed to assist students in meeting the learning outcomes in a stepwise fashion. Students are encouraged to work consistently throughout the semester and regular feedback is provided to guide their studies.

Regular, short tests assess different aspects of the course content. Timely feedback is provided to enable improved performance on the next attempt. These tests help prepare students for the final exam, having questions of the same standard as those on the exam.

The practical assessment allows students an opportunity to display their growing understanding of laboratory-based work and involves data collection, processing, interpretation, and comprehension of concepts covered in practical activities. 

The final exam assesses material from all content areas. Having been provided with feedback from the earlier assessments, students should now be able to address misunderstandings and conceptual difficulties identified from these earlier tasks and show that they have now met these learning outcomes.

To pass this unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome and obtain a minimum mark of 50%.

Overview of assessments

Tests Regular, short tests assess different aspe...

Tests

Regular, short tests assess different aspects of the course content. Feedback is provided quickly, allowing students to gauge their progress, and to seek assistance if they wish. These tests help prepare the students for the final exam, having questions of the same standard as those on the exam

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Practical Assessment The practical assessment al...

Practical Assessment

The practical assessment allows students an opportunity to display their growing understanding of laboratory-based work and involves data collection, processing, interpretation, and comprehension of concepts covered in practical activities. 

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO3, LO4, LO5

Written Examination The final exam assesses mate...

Written Examination

The final exam assesses material from all content areas. Having been provided with feedback from the earlier assessments, students are now able to address misunderstandings and conceptual difficulties identified from these earlier tasks, and show that they have now met these learning outcomes.

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit adopts an active learning approach to help students develop a complex and integrated understanding of biochemistry.

Students participate in weekly lectures where interactive discussions and questions are encouraged to deepen understanding. Weekly tutorials reinforce key concepts from lectures through group discussions and problem-solving, providing a more interactive learning environment.

Practical classes are essential for hands-on learning. Through experiments such as protein isolation and separation, students gain experience in applying theoretical knowledge while engaging in peer learning to enhance their understanding.

In addition to face-to-face classes, students have access to extensive online resources via the Learning Management System (LMS). This includes external videos, additional reading materials, and other digital resources to cater to diverse learning styles.

By integrating lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, and online support, this unit ensures students develop a deep, applied, and collaborative understanding of biochemistry.

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Appling, D. R., Anthony-Cahill, S.J. and Mathews, C.K. (2019) Biochemistry: Concepts and Connections. 2nd ed. Prentice Hall. 


Baynes, J.W. and Dominiczak, M.H. (2022) Medical Biochemistry. 6th ed. Elsevier Publishers

Bettelheim, F.A., Brown, W.H., Campbell, M. K., Farrell, S., and Torres, O.J., (2019) Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry. 12th ed. Thomson Brook/Cole Publishers.


Cox MM, Lehninger AL, Nelson DL, editors. (2017) Lehninger principles of biochemistry. Seventh edition. WH Freeman Macmillan Learning


Crook, Martin. Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolic Medicine, Taylor & Francis Group, (2012). ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/acu/detail.action?docID=967160.


Garrett, R., Grisham, C, M. Biochemistry (7th Ed.). (2023) Cengage Learning


Gill KD, editor. Basic Concepts in Clinical Biochemistry: A Practical Guide [electronic resource]. (2018) . 2018. Imprint Springer


Moran, L.A., Horton R.A., Scrimgeour, G., Perry, M. and Rawn, D. (2013) Principles of Biochemistry: Pearson New International Edition. 5th ed. Pearson, Prentice Hall.


Murphy M, Srivastava R, Deans K. Clinical Biochemistry. (7th Edition). Elsevier Limited (UK); 2023. https://clinicalkeymeded.elsevier.com/books/9780323881661


Smith JL, Carr TP, Smith JL, editors. Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. Seventh edition; Student edition. (2018) Cengage Learning.


Voet, D., Voet, J.G and Pratt, C.W. (2016) Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level. 5th ed. John Wiley & Sons

.

Walker S, editor. Lecture notes Clinical biochemistry [Internet]. 9th ed. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell; (2013) p. 1–12. Available from: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/acu/detail.action?docID=1372259

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