Biochemistry Online Course - Open Learning - Boost Your Career Prospects
- learn about the chemical behaviour of molecules via home learning
- improve your knowledge of these molecules as a foundation to better understanding the biochemical reactions they become involved in (covered in Biochemistry III).
- supportive and flexible learning in your own home
- possible credit toward university course
What are Biochemical molecules?
In addition to carbon, most organic compounds contain hydrogen, and most contain oxygen as well. The atoms of these elements are arranged in various forms to make up most of the dry weight of living organisms. The four main types of biochemical molecules are proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acid. Other important molecules for metabolism regulation are hormones and neurotransmitters which are made up of different protein, carbohydrate, lipid and nucleic acid combinations.
DURATION 100 hours
COURSE STRUCTURE
1. Introduction to Biochemical Molecules - What is Biochemistry? Cells, Metabolic Processes.
2. Amino Acids - Biochemical Nomenclature, Amino Acid Properties, Genetic Coding, Terminology.
3. Structure of Proteins - Functions, Structure, Fibrous Proteins, Cofactors and Conformations, Post Translational Modifications, Protein Denaturation, Protein Degradation.
4. Protein Dynamics - Folding, Molecular Chaperones, Heat Shock Proteins, Understanding Protein Structure, Structural Evolution
5. Sugars and Polysaccharides - Saccharides, Polysaccharide Bonds, Polysaccharide Function, Monosaccharides, Disaccharides.
6. Lipids (Fats) and Membranes - Lipids, Cholesterol, Cellular Membranes, Terminology
7. Enzymes, Vitamins and Hormones.
8. DNA and RNA - Nucleic Acids, Structure, Types of RNA, DNA Replication, Inheritance, Interesting Facts.
9. Laboratory Techniques - Laboratory Health and Safety, Common Experimental Methods.
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
LEARNING AIMS
- Learn the characteristics of biochemical molecules and to distinguish between different groups of biochemical molecules.
- Describe the structural characteristics and other properties that differentiate standard amino acids one from another.
- Learn about the structures of different proteins (both covalent and 3-dimensional).
- Describe common protein dynamics including folding, structural evolution and haemoglobin function.
- Describe the structure and dynamics of different types of saccharides and polysaccharides.
- Understand the composition and structure of both lipids and membranes.
- Describe the structure and dynamics of different types of enzymes, vitamins and hormones.
- Describe the structure and function of different types of nucleic acids including DNA and RNA.
- Become familiar with some of the basic laboratory techniques used in biochemistry and to appreciate the importance of safety in the laboratory.
WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE
- Describe some of the main differences between prokaryote and eukaryote cells.
- Explain mitochondria and why are they important for cellular functioning in eukaryotes.
- Explain the difference between dextrorotary and levorotary molecules.
- Explain the difference between standard and non-standard amino acids.
- Name the bond that is created between two adjacent amino acids in a chain, and state what two chemical groups are involved in forming this bond.
- Name some of the methods used today to determine the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide.
- State common causes of protein denaturation.
- Explain why sickle cell anaemia is called a “molecular disease”.
- List the main types of secondary structure present in proteins and the structural categories of proteins. Include examples.
- Name the bond that can form between cysteine residues in a polypeptide and explain why these are important.
- Explain why polypeptide or protein folding is important.
- Comment on the statement that “proteins and enzymes have static structures”.
- Describe what might be required for a protein to fold efficiently into its active (or native) conformation.
- Define polysaccharides.
- Name one polysaccharide important in nature and describe its structure.
- Explain glycoproteins.
- Classify lipids.
- Explain why fats are an efficient form of energy storage.
- Draw a saturated and non-saturated hydrocarbon.
- State what class of biomolecules enzymes belong to.
- Explain the role of enzymes in metabolism.
- Explain how the flux of reactants through metabolic pathways can be controlled via enzyme regulation.
- Do an Internet search to find out information on the structure of DNA proposed by Watson and Crick in 1953. Discuss the significance of their findings.
- Name the four nucleotide bases that DNA is composed of and state which bases can pair with each other on opposite strands.
- Describe the structure of DNA (B-DNA) with as many of the essential features as you can list.
- Describe the equipment used for gel and paper electrophoresis and the operation principles.
- List some methods for purifying and studying proteins along with a brief description of each method.
- List some of the properties of proteins that form the basis for their purification and separation from each other.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
