LQB481 Biochemical Pathways and Metabolism
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | LQB481 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | LQB381 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $5,364 |
| International unit fee | $6,840 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | LQB481 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | LQB381 |
| Coordinator: | Karsten Schrobback | k.schrobback@qut.edu.au |
Overview
The study of biochemistry, along with cell and molecular biology, provides you with the knowledge required for an effective understanding of the structure and function of living organisms at the molecular level. This unit advances the studies begun in LQB381 Biochemistry and further develops your knowledge and understanding of biochemical and molecular studies into metabolic pathways and processes occurring in living cells with a focus on human metabolism in health and disease. This unit provides you with a knowledge base and skills for advanced studies in biochemistry, as well as support for higher level units in life science and allied health courses.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the important aspects of the chemical interconversions and molecular pathways of metabolism that are essential for the maintenance of living cells.
- Explain the central mechanisms of molecular regulation and control in normal metabolism and abnormal metabolism that leads to important metabolic diseases
- Analyse metabolic pathways and their regulation, as well as describe the relationships between these concepts and disease diagnosis and treatment.
- Apply practical competency in the biochemical laboratory to generate, analyse, visualise and interpret experimental data.
- Demonstrate advanced problem solving, information literacy, digital creation and scientific communication skills.
Content
This unit covers the following major topics:
- Metabolic pathways of catabolism and anabolism of the carbohydrates, including glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, glycogen degradation and synthesis, and the pentose phosphate pathway.
- Central pathways of energy metabolism (tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation).
- Biosynthesis and oxidative degradation of lipids and basic steroid metabolism.
- Amino acid synthesis and catabolism, nitrogen excretion (the urea cycle), nucleotide synthesis and catabolism, and the biochemistry of other important nitrogenous biomolecules, such as porphyrins.
- Integration of metabolic pathways and hormonal regulation of metabolism in fed and starved states.
- The primary causes of major metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity, and treatment of these diseases.
- Further extensive training in biochemical laboratory procedures.
Learning Approaches
The unit is presented as workshops and practical laboratory sessions. Weekly content is primarily delivered in online learning modules, and the tutorials/workshops will be used to break down important concepts and support learning of the weekly content. There are weekly formative quizzes available on the unit Canvas website to support the practical and theoretical program. The practical exercises are used to develop your competencies in laboratory practice, data collation, data analysis and scientific communication of your experimental findings. They will also help in building information retrieval and digital creation skills to illustrate complex metabolic processes. In addition, you will continue to be guided in the development of proper work practices in a modern biochemistry laboratory consistent with maintaining a safe workplace.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive progressive formative feedback on multiple components of your assessment. Formative feedback is available through weekly quizzes of multiple choice and short answer questions in content modules on the unit's Canvas pages, where you can receive feedback on your performance to assist your learning. Additional feedback is provided during practical laboratory sessions, where your practical demonstrators are available to provide feedback on your laboratory activities, the data analysis and lab book write up. Furthermore, feedback will be provided for your problem-solving task assessment item to aid in developing your understanding of the relevant content.
Assessment
Overview
General Assessment Information
Your final grade will be calculated by an aggregate score of all summative assessment items. There is no threshold assessment task in this unit.
Practical Class Attendance and Assessment
Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of your learning experience in LQB481. Attendance to laboratory practical classes is mandatory. For example, the data produced in the laboratory experiments are used in the report (assessment item 2) with additional support in data analysis and visualisation available from laboratory demonstrators in class. In addition, exercises during practical classes on information retrieval, digital creation, referencing and scientific communication skills will be vital in completing both the report and the scientific illustrations (portfolio assessment).
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Illustration Portfolio
You are a scientist working closely with a large research group studying the link between metabolism and disease in human. You have been asked to contribute to a scientific literature review by creating illustrations to visualise key elements of specific metabolic pathways in health and disease.
You will produce two separate scientific illustrations that will assess your ability to search, analyse and communicate the detailed mechanisms of metabolic pathways and how disturbances to these processes can lead to disease. The first illustration will be based on the effect of a small molecule drug on cellular metabolism. The second illustration will visualise broader metabolic disturbances due to poisoning. Illustrations must be clearly and correctly annotated and based on quality, trusted peer-reviewed literature.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Laboratory Report
Working as a scientist (which includes dietitian/nutritionists), you are involved in a research project that follows a small cohort of volunteers over a longer time period and examines how changes in their lifestyles affect their health and wellbeing. The project has just started with sample collections.
You are required to test the levels of various biomolecules in collected body fluids by employing biochemical assays in the laboratory classes. You are also responsible to analyse and visualise the experimental data and discuss the results to assess the metabolic state as well as health conditions of the study participants. Your findings need to be presented to your collaborators as a written report that is clearly communicated, scientifically rigorous with reference to quality, trusted peer-reviewed literature, and adheres to professional scientific writing standards.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Examination (invigilated)
You will assume the role of a graduate scientist (which includes dietitian/nutritionists) and demonstrate your understanding of molecular pathways of metabolism and how they are integrated and controlled to maintain homeostasis at cell and tissue level. You also need to be able to explain how abnormal metabolism can cause disease. The final examination consists of multiple-choice and short-answer questions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited in this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Costs
Cost of lab gowns and safety protection glasses are the students responsibility.
Resources
It is recommended that you consult the unit Canvas website for the latest advice in selecting textbooks that will best suit your Course/Major enrolment, career aspirations and current financial situation.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Nelson, DL & Cox, MM, Lehninger, A. Principles of Biochemistry. Most recent edition. W.H. Freeman Publ. ISBN 9780-7167-7108-1
Voet D, Voet JG & Pratt CW. Fundamentals of Biochemistry. Most recent edition. John Wiley & Sons Publ. ISBN 0-4701-2930-1.
Safety and protective equipment
Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:
1. Laboratory coat - 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
2. Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards
3. Fully enclosed non-slip shoes
Risk Assessment Statement
This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to view a Health & Safety Induction video and complete an online health and safety quiz prior to being permitted into the laboratory, to access please follow this link Health & Safety Induction. A passing score of 10/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory session. You may repeat the quiz until this score is achieved. You are also referred to the Faculty of Health's Health & Safety Web Site for further information.
If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LS40 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
Relates to: Laboratory Report, Examination (invigilated) - Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
Relates to: Illustration Portfolio - Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
Relates to: Illustration Portfolio, Laboratory Report, Examination (invigilated) - Contribute effectively to biomedical projects, either as an individual or as a member of a team and demonstrate professional behaviour.
Relates to: Illustration Portfolio
LV41 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
- Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
Relates to: Laboratory Report, Examination (invigilated) - Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
Relates to: Illustration Portfolio - Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
Relates to: Illustration Portfolio, Laboratory Report, Examination (invigilated) - Contribute effectively to biomedical projects, either as an individual or as a member of a team, by demonstrating professional behaviour and participating in continuous learning.
Relates to: Illustration Portfolio
XN43 Bachelor of Nutrition Science
- Apply broad theoretical, technical and cultural knowledge and skills in food and nutrition, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, to respond to a diverse range of contexts and audiences.
Relates to: Illustration Portfolio, Laboratory Report, Examination (invigilated) - Analyse and apply evidence-based research and practice to provide informed, client-centred, and sustainable solutions to sometimes complex current and emerging food and nutrition problems.
Relates to: Laboratory Report
XN45 Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours)
- Apply advanced theoretical, technical and cultural knowledge and skills in food, nutrition and dietetics, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, tailored to respond to a diverse range of contexts and audiences.
Relates to: Illustration Portfolio, Laboratory Report, Examination (invigilated) - Critically analyse and apply evidence-based research and practice to generate informed, client-centred and sustainable solutions to complex current and emerging food, nutrition and dietetic problems.
Relates to: Examination (invigilated)