| CODE | BIO1050 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Molecules and Life | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 2 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Biology | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Introduction. The nature and characteristics of life. Basic overview of the types and strengths of bonds in biological systems. The characteristics and importance of water. The chemical properties of carbon and their role in the function of biological molecules. Biomolecules: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids. Molecular structure related to biological function. Enzymes: Types of enzymes and how their molecular structure affects function and control. Genetic material. Structure and function of DNA and RNA. Protein synthesis. Bioenergetics. The nature and flow of energy through living systems: respiration and photosynthesis. Cell organization. Structure, organisation and function of cell organelles. Important note: Students are informed that regular lecture attendance is obligatory. A grade may be awarded only if the student's attendance to lectures has been regular and all assignments have been submitted as required. Study-unit Aims: To provide students with a basic understanding of the role water and carbon play in biological systems. To enable students to distinguish between different types of biomolecules and understand how their structure relates to their various functions in cells and biological systems. To give students a basic understanding of the molecular basis of the genetic code and how it is utilized during protein synthesis. To give students a basic understanding of the nature and flow of energy during photosynthesis and respiration. To provide students with an overview of the structure, organization and function of organelles in the cell. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: Describe and explain why the characteristics of water and carbon are essential to life on Earth; Distinguish and describe the differences between the various types of biomolecules present in biological systems, and be able to characterize the molecular and structural features enabling them to carry out their various biological functions; Describe the importance of enzymes and how their structure affects their function in biological systems; Understand the molecular basis of the genetic code and the processes whereby genetic information is transcribed and then translated; Explain how energy flows during the processes of respiration and photosynthesis are which enzymes, molecules and structures are involved; Describe the structure and organization of the different organelles present in cells and how this relates to their function. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: Review the literature in order to find information pertaining to a particular discipline of science; Evaluate the available information to determine which is most relevant and updated; Link concepts from diverse disciplines and branches of science; Observe and relate acquired information to prevalent scientific discussions, developments and issues; Demonstrate ability to present scientific information in a concise and clear way both orally and in a written form. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: (availability at the Library or otherwise is indicated against each entry) Nelson, D.L. & Cox, M.M. (2008) Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry (5th ed.). W.H. Freeman . Available in Library. Voet, D. Voet, J.G. & Pratt, C.W. (2006) Fundamentals of Biochemistry: Life at the Molecular Level (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Available in Library. Horton, H.R., Moran, L.A., Scrimgeour, G., Perry, M. & Rawn, D. (2006). Principles of Biochemistry (4th ed.). Prentice-Hall, Inc. Available in Library. Cooper, G.M. & Hausman, R.E. (2009) The Cell: A Molecular Approach (5th ed.). Sinauer Associates, Inc. |
|||||||||
| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Not for Biology or Chemistry students following the B.Sc (Hons) or students following the B.Ed. (Hons) degree courses or students following the B. Pharm course. Pre-requisite Qualifications: A level, Entry Requirements or equivalent. Students are to note that they will be allowed to sit for this study-unit examination and will be awarded a grade only if they have regularly attended lectures and practical classes, if they have submitted any assignments, including practical reports and if they satisfy all other study-unit requirements. |
|||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
|
|||||||||
| LECTURER/S | Simeon Deguara |
|||||||||
|
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
||||||||||