BIOCHEMISTRY I ANIMAL & HUMAN BSC103

Understand the chemical Processes that are at work inside Human or animal bodies.


Job Prospects

A knowledge of biochemistry can be useful in many types of jobs (eg. lab assistant to medical  receptionist, food industries, fitness industries). Becoming a biochemist requires a great deal more than this one course, but between this course and a full university degree in biochemistry, there are many different vocations you could settle into, and taking this course can be the first step. 

 

This course deals with the chemistry of animals and humans. Some secondary school chemistry will be helpful though it is not essential to success in this course

 

Online Biochemistry Course

  • Learn about the chemical reactions that are behind growth, development and functioning of an animal or human body.

COURSE STRUCTURE

There are 10 lessons as follows:

  1. Introduction to biochemistry
  2. Lipids and proteins
  3. Enzymes and hormones
  4. Nucleic acids
  5. Thermo-regulation
  6. Carbohydrate metabolism
  7. Absorption
  8. Acidity and alkalinity
  9. Chemical analysis
  10. Bochemical applications

COURSE AIMS

  • Identify characteristics of common chemical compounds important in animal and human biochemistry.
  • Explain the characteristics of major biochemical groups, including carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
  • Exlain 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.
  • Deelop simple chemical analysis skills relevant to testing animals. Identify applications and uses for biochemical processes and products.

WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE

  • 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.
  • Identify differences between monosaccharides Differentiate between plant and animal/human biochemistry, with three examples of biochemical processes unique to chand 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
  • Explain the importance of RNA in animals/humans
  • 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

Example of Work you may undertake in this course:

ENZYME PBL TASK

Aim
To understand and explain the role of enzymes in industry.

Learning Outcomes
1. To work with industry to gain an understanding of the role of enzymes in production.
2. To be able to map the process of production in industry with respect to enzymes.
3. To troubleshoot the production process with respect to enzymes.
4. To evaluate your problem solving abilities.

Problem Definition
A local industry whose work involves the use of enzymes has recently contacted you because there has suddenly been a number of problems with their finished product which they suspect is either because:

A) the enzymes they use have been denatured, or
B) there is something about their process that has changed (e.g. temperature) so that the enzymes they use are no longer working effectively.

You have been asked to complete a study on their industry so that they can determine what the problem is. This study must identify how enzymes play a role in the industry and all of the steps in the process they use in their industry. After you have completed this, they have asked you to give them an educated guess about what you think the problem with their enzymes is.

Team Structure and Mode of Interaction
You choose any industry that involves the use of enzymes anywhere in the process. Some examples are: the wine making industry, the dairy industry (e.g. cheese, yoghurt, milk), the agricultural industry or the horticulture industry. Once you have chosen an industry, narrow your focus e.g. one type of cheese, one vat of wine etc.

You have some choices regarding your team structure.

Your team may consist of you, your tutor and an industry professional.

If you are unable to involve an industry professional in your project you may use one other person such as a friend in the role of the industry professional, providing they can help you consider all of the issues, or you may use your tutor in the role of an industry professional.

*You must contact your tutor at least two times via phone, fax or email during the project, before attempting to commence the final submission. Your first point of contact must include a list of the points you will discuss with the client. You should be mindful of the fact that the industry professional is an expert and that experts that charge by the hour, so questions you put should be meaningful, designed to contribute toward achieving the stated project aim, and above all, should not be repetitive. Contact should be concise and time efficient.

*Student forum: You must submit relevant questions to a student room forum on at least two occasions during the project, before commencing the final report. You must check for responses, and incorporate useful responses in your report.
You may ask for guidance, assistance or simply report on your progress. You may request more frequent assistance if necessary, within reason. It is not your tutor’s role to solve the problem.

Discussion Questions
1. What are the steps involved in the industry process you have selected?
2. How important are enzymes to this industry?
3. What enzymes are involved in this industry?
4. What causes enzymes to be denatured?
5. What other factors could stop the enzymes used in this industry from working effectively?

These are issues or questions that you should address in your solution, whether or not you can find answers.

Resources
Human resources (optional) – You may draw on the skills, knowledge and assistance of others – other students, experts whom you consult, friends. All assistance must be formally acknowledged.
Other resources (compulsory)– You are expected to use some resources, but the choice of which ones are yours. You may gather the information required to solve this problem from course readings, books, journals, news programs, the internet, etc. All sources must be acknowledged.

Guidelines 

Duration - This project should take between 8-10 hours (including communications with a tutor or others). When 10 hours of work has been completed, submit what you have, no matter what stage it is in. You may be penalised for exceeding this time limit.
Assessment - You will be assessed on your capacity to work through the problem to a logical conclusion. You are not being assessed on the report.
The report will be part of what shows the school that you have worked through the problem in an appropriate way. Your interaction with a tutor, and use of a forum in the student room are also indicators that you have worked through the problem appropriately.

Final Report
You may use any if a variety of means to present your project but should not spend more than a quarter of the total time involved in the project, on preparing the presentation. Most students are likely to submit a written presentation, possibly with one or more illustrations. If you have the equipment at hand, and appropriate skills, it is acceptable for you to submit a presentation any other way (eg. Multi media presentation with Power point or Flash, Video, CD, DVD).

Your presentation must include:
1. A step-by-step account of the industry process you have chosen,
2. The enzymes used in the process,
3. Factors that could destroy (denature) or inhibit the enzymes used in this process,
4. An account of the problem-solving process you experienced,
3. Your solution,
5. A list of issues that arose during the project, that you either could not deal with or that were not essential to the project,
6. A list of resources used, including human resources.
7. An evaluation of your performance, including what you did very well, and what you can improve,
8. A summary of what you learned about problem solving,
9. A summary of what you learned about enzymes.

Presentation Component Minimum Required Maximum Allowed

 

 

Presentation Component

Minimum Required

Maximum Allowed

A step-by-step account of the industry process you have chosen

Half a page or 3 minute presentation or equivalent

One page or 5 minute equivalent

The enzymes used in the process

One paragraph or 1 minute presentation or equivalent

One page or 3 minute presentation or equivalent

Factors that could destroy (denature) or inhibit the enzymes used in this

Two paragraphs or 2 minute presentation or equivalent

1.5 pages or 4 minute presentation or equivalent

An account of the problem-solving process you experienced

One paragraph or 1 minute presentation or equivalent

One page or 3 minute presentation or equivalent

Your solution

One paragraph or 1 minute presentation or equivalent

One page or 3 minute presentation or equivalent

A list of issues that arose during the project, that you either could not deal with or that were not essential to the project

One paragraph or 1 minute presentation or equivalent

One page or 3 minute presentation or equivalent

A list of resources used, including human resources

One paragraph or 1 minute presentation or equivalent

One page or 3 minute presentation or equivalent

An evaluation of your performance, including what you did very well, and what you can improve

One paragraph or 1 minute presentation or equivalent

One page or 3 minute presentation or equivalent

A summary of what you learned about problem solving

One paragraph or 1 minute presentation or equivalent

One page or 3 minute presentation or equivalent

Precise summary of what you learned about enzymes

One paragraph or 1 minute presentation or equivalent

One page or 3 minute presentation or equivalent

 

 

ASSIGNMENT

1. Distinguish between an enzyme and a hormone.

2. Explain how one specific enzyme functions in an animal/human.
(You can choose any specific enzyme which you are aware of)

3. Explain how one specific hormone functions in an animal/human.
(You can choose any specific hormone which you are aware of)

4. Explain the relevance of hormones to either:
-The agricultural industry
or -Human health and fitness
(Write up to 1 page)

5. Explain the relevance of enzymes to human health and fitness.
(Write up to 1 page)