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 | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,968 |
| International unit fee | $6,216 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, 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.
- Demonstrate an understanding and 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.
- Be able to apply practical competency in the biochemical laboratory, demonstrate scientific writing skills through maintenance of a laboratory practical book and develop a technical understanding of health and safety procedures associated with the handling of potentially hazardous materials and equipment.
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 2 hours of tutorials or workshops and a 2 hour practical laboratory session per week. 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 learning management website to support the practical and theoretical program. In addition, a range of multimedia delivery platforms will run to complement the practical tasks and strengthen understanding of fundamental biochemical concepts. The practical exercises are used to develop your skills in laboratory practice, data collation, data analysis, and calculation of results, with an emphasis on the proper use of equipment used in a modern biochemistry laboratory. In addition, you will continue to be guided in the development of proper work practices consistent with maintaining a safe workplace.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Additional advice and feedback on specific matters or items of assessment is available directly from the Unit Coordinator by arranging an appointment.
Assessment
Overview
1. Formative assessment is through multiple choice question quizzes and short answer question problems set on a unit Web page, where you can receive feedback on your performance to assist your learning in both biochemical knowledge and laboratory practice.
2. Summative assessment of the unit is by a mixture of continuous assessment and examination.
3. Successful completion of the unit requires that all assessable components are satisfactorily completed and an overall pass of at least 50% is achieved.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Laboratory/Practical
Continuous assessment based on practical competencies and work, maintenance of practical laboratory books, and pre-practical quizzes testing weekly content.
Assessment: Examination (written)
Final examination consisting of multiple-choice question, short-answer question and essay questions.
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
One written problem solving task that evaluates quantitative, analytical and interpretive skills. Formative and summative.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
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 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)
Berg JM, Tymoczko JL & Stryer L. Biochemistry, Most recent edition, WH Freeman & Co. [Available online at NCBI Bookshelf - Online Books: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21154/
Biochemistry Free for All OR Biochemistry Free and Easy, Kevin Ahern and Indira Rajagopal, Most recent edition. http://biochem.science.oregonstate.edu/content/biochemistry-free-and-easy
Metabolism Lecture Notes (Dr Michael Palmer, University of Waterloo, Canada) http://watcut.uwaterloo.ca/webnotes/Metabolism/
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. 4th edition (2012) or 5th edition (2017). 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: Examination (written), Problem Solving Task - 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: Laboratory/Practical - Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
Relates to: Laboratory/Practical, Examination (written), Problem Solving Task - Contribute effectively to biomedical projects, either as an individual or as a member of a team and demonstrate professional behaviour.
Relates to: Laboratory/Practical
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: Examination (written), Problem Solving Task - 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: Laboratory/Practical - Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
Relates to: Laboratory/Practical, Examination (written), Problem Solving Task - 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: Laboratory/Practical