School Of Science And HealthProteins and GenesWestern Sydney University Unit Code: 300555.2
Discipline: BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY
Student Contribution Band: 2
Level: 2
Credit Points: 10
Assumed Knowledge
Knowledge of cell structure; chromosomes, mitosis and meiosis; structure of DNA and its role as carrier of genetic information; Mendelian genetics; chemical bonding, including covalent, hydrogen and ionic bonds and hydrophobic interactions; properties of water, acids, bases and buffers; structure of common functional groups; stereoisomerism; stoichiometry; principles of chemical reactions. Basic mathematical principles, as taught in Fundamentals of Mathematics.
Equivalent Units
300219 - Biochemistry 1, J2820 - Introductory Biochemistry
Incompatible Units
14437 - Biochemistry, 300227 - General Biochemistry, BC201A - Biochemistry 2.1
Prerequisite
300221 Biology 1 OR 300543 Cell Biology AND 300225 Chemistry 2 OR 300550 Medicinal Chemistry
About this Unit
In 2013 this unit will be replaced by 300936 - Functional Proteins and Genes. Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300219 - Biochemistry 1. This unit investigates protein structure, function, synthesis and degradation in both health and disease. Students will analyse how proteins fold and how this relates to function, illustrated by proteins such as oxygen carriers, enzymes, and gene regulators. The importance of bioinformatics for analysing protein structure, function and evolution will be emphasised. Discussion of enzyme structure and catalytic mechanisms will provide a deeper understanding of how catalytic proteins work. DNA, gene structure and gene expression (transcription and translation) will be investigated in some detail at the molecular level, including the impact of mutation on protein function. The relevance of post-translational modification, protein targeting and protein degradation for healthy cell function will also be discussed.