BINDURA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Department of Animal Science
Lecturer: Mangwiro T.N.C.
Contacts: Mobile +263 772814737 (+WhatsApp ) [email protected] .
Office: 3B 39 Astra Campus.
Consulting time: by appointment
AG 122: Introduction to Biochemistry
The course is designed to provide students with basic knowledge of the chemistry of plants and
animals in order to understand how living organisms function at cellular and molecular level. As
a basic course it sets the tone for advanced courses like principle of nutrition, physiology and
production courses.
Course Aims and Objectives
It is within the scope of this course that at the end, students must be able to
1. Describe molecular components of cells
2. Explain the basic structure of bio-molecules and their interactions in living organisms
3. Outline the basic structure and fundamental importance of enzymes in plants and animals
4. Demonstrate an understanding of metabolism of bio-molecules in living organisms
Course Outline
Lecture Content
Hours
1(2) Introduction
Characteristics of living organisms,
Introducing cells: pro and eukaryotes- endosymbiotic theory
Practical importance of cells and organelles in their different types
2 (2) Basic Chemistry
● Atoms, Elements, Molecules and Compounds
● The periodic table
● Isomerism, Bonding systems
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● Uniqueness and importance of the element carbon
● Functional groups and importance: Hydroxyl, Carboxyl, Amine,
Carbonyl, Sulphur hydryl, Phosphate, Methyl...
● Structure and importance of water, the medium of life
3(4) Chemistry of carbohydrates- Nomenclature
● According to structure, function and number of carbon atoms,
● Simplicity and complexity open and ring chain structures.
● Formation and breakdown of glycosidic bond
● Practical importance of different carbohydrate classes
● Carbohydrate Metabolism – definitions,
1. Carbohydrate Anabolism – the definitions, processes, sites associated
with carbohydrate synthesis and the sites and the importance of the
processes in living organisms
a. Photosynthesis - light and dark reactions, photo-phosphorylation
b. Gluconeogenesis
c. Pentose phosphate pathway
d. Glyoxylate cycle
2. Carbohydrate Catabolism;
a. Glycolysis
b. TCA cycle
c. Electron transport chain
d. Oxidative phosphorylation
e. Substrate level phosphorylation
5(4) Chemistry of proteins- Nomenclature
Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure
Simple, globular and conjugated proteins
Amino acids, essential amino acids and structure
Properties of proteins, protein ionization (zwitterions) and buffers
Significance of protein- catalytic and regulatory-communication of cells
Protein Metabolism – synthesis of protein from basic compounds and the reverse
process of breaking down protein molecules
a. Protein biosynthesis
b. Protein biodegradation
c. Transamination and the urea cycle
d. Ketogenic and glucogenic amino acids
e. The genetic code
f. Control mechanisms- Roles of nucleotides and ATP
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7(4) Chemistry of lipids- Nomenclature-
● According to simplicity and complexity State at room temperature
● Degree of saturation
● Practical significance in cell surface membranes of plants and animals
● Lipid Metabolism – the role of lipids in living organisms, synthesis and
utilization of lipids in living organisms
a. Lipid mobilisation
b. Transportation
c. Fatty Acid oxidation (β- Oxidation)
d. Fatty acid synthesis, cholesterol, hormones and triacylglycerides
e. Biological membranes and functions.
9(4) Enzymes-Nomenclature-
● According to type of reaction it acts e.g. transferases
● According to type of substrate e.g. amylase, cellulose
● Action mechanisms and properties
11(4) Nucleic acids
Basic structure DNA, RNA
Genetic code
Introduction to protein synthesis
Assessment
Students will be assessed through a three hour examination paper, which will account for 70% of
the final assessment. Mid- and end of semester tests, assignments, Laboratory Practical and field
work reports will account for the remaining 30%.
Work Weight [%] Date of Submission
Assignments 10 TBA
Practical/Fieldwork 10 TBA
Test 10 TBA
Examination 70 End of Semester
Late Submission Penalties
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The penalty for late submission of assessment items is 10% of the total assessment mark for
the item per day i.e. marks will be lost exponentially.
No assignments will be accepted after one week.
Recommended Literature
Voet D, Voet J, G., and Pratt W, C. (2008). Fundamentals of Biochemistry, 3rd Edition.
Hames, B. D., Hooper, N.M., and Houghton, J.D. (1997). Instant Notes in Biochemistry. Bios
Scientific, University of Leeds.
Lehninger, A.L. (1982). Principles of Biochemistry. Worth Publishers, New York.
Stryer L. (1997) Biochemistry, W.H. Freeman and Company, New York
Course Outline Review Panel
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Approval by the Chairman
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Approval by the Dean
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