Biological chemistry

• Describe the spatial, logistic, and structural organization of the living cell as well as the overall mechanisms and chemical structures behind its function.
• Describe the overall structure, function and regulation of enzymes, and explain how several enzymes together can form a metabolic pathway.
• Explain how carbohydrates can be broken down by living cells, and the chemical energy transformed into ATP bound energy during both respiration and fermentation.
• Describe the antiparallel double helical structure of DNA; its replication and chromosomal organization in pro- and eukaryotes; as well as the bacterial cell division and eukaryotic meiosis and mitosis.
• Explain the initiation, elongation, and termination processes during transcription and translation in pro- and eukaryotes.
• Describe mechanisms for regulation of gene expression.
• Explain the mechanisms for prokaryotic transfer of genetic material and how a virus reproduces itself by the use of the host reproductive system.
• Describe the basal terms in Mendelian genetics.
• Describe how recombinant DNA technology can be utilized to manipulate living cells.
• Perform the most basic techniques and working procedures within microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, and explain the principles of these techniques.
• Convey and communicate about biological issues and understand the relationship between theory and practice of simple biological issues.

The cell as basic biological unit: structure, function, metabolism, growth, reproduction, heredity and biodiversity. The theory covers: structure of amino acids and proteins, nucleotides and nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids. Enzymes: structure, reactions, inhibition. Dynamic biochemistry: cata- and anabolism together with regulation of metabolism, redox processes and energy metabolism. Synthesis of macromolecules of information: DNA and RNA, protein. Regulation of activities in the cell e.g. synthesis of macromolecules, responses to external stimuli. Mutation and mutagenesis. Genetic processes in pro- and eukaryotes. Gene technology. Examples will be given where basic biological definitions are used in present and future biotechnology. Laboratory exercises supporting the theoretical content. By working with a theoretical and a practical assignment, presentation and communication within this technical field is trained.

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Lectures, group work, theoretical and laboratory exercises
A theoretical assignment must be handed in during the semester.

It is a prerequisite for attending the written examination that the laboratory exercises are carried out and that a theoretical assignment is handed in. Both need to approved by the teachers. This course addresses diploma students, other students are referred to 27932.

Textbook
Sadava et al.: Life. The Science of Biology, 12. ed., 2020