Level: 3
Unit type: Internal
Guided learning hours: 60
Unit in brief
Learners explore the structure of biological molecules, how they affect metabolism, their action in metabolic processes, and the principles of biochemistry in industry.
Unit introduction
Biochemistry encompasses a broad spectrum of biological processes and how they maintain life.
As an essential laboratory-based science, biochemistry uses chemical knowledge and techniques to understand and solve biological problems. Currently, biochemistry is focused on understanding how biological molecules give rise to metabolic processes in living cells.
In this unit, you will develop an understanding of atomic and molecular structure, focusing on the relationship between structure and properties of biological molecules and their metabolic activity. You will explore the structure and importance of organic and inorganic molecules to biochemical processes of living organisms, and examine the principles of metabolism by considering certain metabolic pathways and the role of enzymes in metabolism. You will conduct enzymatic investigations to examine metabolic functions and the nature, causes and effects of associated disorders. Through a combination of experimentation and theory, you will explore how biomolecules are built, broken down and used in cells through metabolic pathways, thereby creating life and sometimes resulting in common disorders. You will examine how biochemistry is used in everyday life, and how current research will shape the future of life and health.
This unit will support you in your progression to further or higher-level studies in the health sector, and is directly relevant to the healthcare, nutritional and pharmaceutical industries.
Learning aims
In this unit you will:
A Explore how the structure of biological molecules affects metabolism
B Explore the action of biological molecules in metabolic processes
C Examine the principles of biochemistry in industry.
