CHEM1039 Biological Chemistry

Module Aims

This module provides the student with the fundamental chemical principles necessary to understand the chemistry of biological systems. The module will cover two key areas. Firstly, it will provide an introduction to thermodynamics, electrochemistry and chemical kinetics in relation to biological systems. Secondly, it will provide an introduction to atomic and molecular structure leading to a description of the reactivity of the function groups and a introduction to reaction mechanisms.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Understand the concepts underpinning thermodynamics including enthalpy, entropy and free energy and be able use these concepts
• Understand the principles behind spectroscopy (using absorption spectroscopy as an example). Describe how spectroscopy can be used to determine the concentration of an absorbing species (Beers Law).
• Explain what an acid and base is and understand their use in buffered solutions
• Electrochemistry. a. Explain the role of electron transfer in oxidation/reduction reactions. b. Understand how the electrode potential is measured. c. Appreciate how the Nernst equation relates the electrode potential to the concentration of the redox components d. Explain how electrochemical reactions can be made under reversible conditions to allow the accurate determination of thermodynamic parameters.
• Explain key concepts behind atomic and molecular structure
• Describe molecular structure, isomers and chirality
• Identify key functional groups present in biological system and understand their chemistry
• Basic knowledge in organic reactions.
• Chemical Kinetics. a. Collision Theory/Transition State Theory b. Describe how the rate of a reaction is dependent on the concentration of reactants according to it rate equation. c. Explain why for single step reaction the rate increases with temperature, and how using the Arrhenius equation this allows the determination of the activation energy.
• Radioactivity. Describe alpha, beta and gamma decay, and use this to predict decay series. Understand the concepts of a radioactive half-life and how it is calculated. Be familiar with the use of these isotopes in biology and the types of protection required for their use.