Overview

This unit introduces many aspects of biochemistry related to macronutrient (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) and alcohol metabolism with an emphasis on human medical and nutritional applications of biochemistry. The unit will cover the biochemistry of digestion and metabolism of macromolecules in food and subsequent energy production; the understanding of key metabolic pathways underlying the utilization of nutrients for energy; the basis of nutrient requirements in various physiological states and nutrient control of gene expression. Practical components of measuring energy metabolism and understanding how dietary manipulation and metabolic hormones alters energy metabolism will be covered.

Requisites

Prerequisites
CHE10004 Introduction to Chemistry
CHE10001 Chemistry 1
NTR20001 Food & Nutrition Science

Rules

Pre-requisite
CHE10004 Introduction to Chemistry
OR
CHE10001 Chemistry 1

AND

NTR20001 Nutrition Science

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Describe various metabolic pathways of macronutrients and alcohol
  • Evaluate and explain the role of nutrients in the optimal functioning of key biochemical pathways in the body
  • Analyse the biochemical mechanisms of disease development and discuss therapeutic options
  • Measure and investigate the physiological consequences of dietary and nutritional manipulation as they relate to essential metabolic pathways
  • Explain the influence of diet and nutrition on intra- and extra-cellular signalling cascades, gene expression and how these have regulatory roles in metabolism

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Lecture
2.00 12 weeks 24
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Tutorial
1.00 12 weeks 12
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Tutorial Labs
3.00 4 weeks 12
Specified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Various
5.00 12 weeks 60
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning
3.50 12 weeks 42
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment and Presentation 1Individual 25% 1,2,3,5 
Laboratory ReportGroup 35% 4,5 
TestIndividual 40% 1,2,3 

Content

  • Introduction, cells and biological chemistry: an overview
  • Overview of metabolism and energy production
  • Movement of molecules. Protein and enzyme function. Digestive system
  • Carbohydrate digestion, absorption and transport
  • Overview of glucose metabolism - Glycolysis
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation (Electron Transport Chain/Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle)
  • Modulation of carbohydrate metabolism
  • Lipids digestion, absorption, transport and metabolism
  • Protein digestion, absorption transport and metabolism
  • Integration and regulation of metabolism
  • Extra-and intra-signalling cascades and gene expression
  • Biochemical mechanisms of disease development and therapeutic options

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.