BBIO218 - IfE

BBIO218
Basic Metabolic Pathways

ECTS Value: 4 ECTS

Contact Hours: 20

Self Study Hours: 48

Assessment Hours: 32

Overall Objectives and Outcomes

Living bodies require a continual flow of material and energy in order to maintain their body functions of reproduction, repair, building new chemicals, and growth. For the body to live and survive, energy is needed to perform the biological work involved. The material required is obtained from the environment and the energy is obtained from the physiological processes of the body. Living cells can release the energy stored in the chemicals and use it to build, repair, store and break down other chemicals as required to maintain life. This module focuses on the central metabolic pathways involved in this continual flow of material and energy. Photosynthesis is the main route by which free energy in the environment is made available to the living organisms. This module aims to discuss the process of transforming light energy to chemical energy as food material, which energy is then available to other living bodies.

This module then views the respiratory metabolic pathways, performed by most of the living organisms, extracting the chemical energy from food materials. It looks at ways of how living cells use these metabolic pathways to release the chemical energy stored in the food, providing a constant supply of energy to maintain life. It investigates the fate of the three main energy sources: carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. At the same time, it provides an overview of the feedback control mechanism to ensure an efficient distribution and storage of energy allowing stable functions of living cells. Thus, the concept of homeostasis in maintaining stability and chemical equilibrium is given importance. This unit offers an opportunity of studying metabolic pathways within different contexts and fields of study. Thus, it allows space for an appreciation of this study within the context of biodiversity and evolution. To address the fields of human life and the health-related aspects, the unit gives an opportunity for discussions of the variables affecting metabolism and metabolic rate.

By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:

Competences

a)Compare the main metabolic pathways of photosynthesis and cellular respiration using biochemical principles;
b)Relate the origin and evolution of metabolic pathways to their modern biological function;
c)Differentiate between metabolic pathways of the three main energy sources: carbohydrates, proteins and fats;
d)Evaluate the significance of homeostatic regulatory control mechanisms in maintaining chemical equilibrium of cells activities;
e)Use biochemical assays and data analysis techniques to explain how cells convert energy and matter to sustain life;
f)Propose potential biochemical solutions to metabolic disorders based on experimental data;
g)Review researched scientific literature on the connections between nutrients, metabolism and human health;
h)Produce instructional materials and assessments to support student understanding of photosynthesis, respiration, and metabolic regulation.

Knowledge

a)Describe glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and photosynthesis;
b)Identify the structure, function, and cellular localisation of photosynthetic pigments and organelles involved in photosynthesis;
c)Describe the principles of light energy capture and its role in the pathways of photosynthesis;
d)Analyse the internal and external factors that influence the rate and efficiency of photosynthesis in plants;
e)Describe the major stages and cellular sites of aerobic respiration and glucose combustion;
f)Explain the biochemistry, formation, and role of ATP, as the cell’s principal compound for energy storage;
g)Describe the role of hydrogen and electron carrier compounds (example NADH, FADH₂) in transferring energy during metabolic reactions;
h)Describe the fate of metabolic end-products, including their roles in cellular processes, excretion, or storage;
i)Identify the main nutrients in a healthy diet in human beings;
j)Evaluate different assessment approaches that measure understanding of catabolic and anabolic processes.

Skills

- a)Relate the structure of the cellular organelles to their function in photosynthesis and cellular respiration;
- b)Assess the energy yields of different metabolic pathways;
- c)Examine how complex biochemical processes interact to maintain life processes;
- d)Illustrate homeostatic control mechanisms operating to maintain chemical equilibrium;
- e)Recognise the main evolutionary developments of metabolic pathways;
- f)Apply basic laboratory experiments to study the effect of external factors on the rate to photosynthesis;
- g)Interpret experimental results and suggest improvements for metabolic efficiency in organisms;
- h)Relate the importance of nutrients in a human healthy diet to their use in corresponding metabolic pathways;
- i)Design engaging lessons and targeted assessments to support learning of energy transformations and feedback regulation in metabolism.

Assessment Methods

This module will be assessed through: Assignment