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Pre-requites: N/A
Rationale
Students intending to pursue careers in the life sciences need a foundational course in biology
to put them on a sound footing. As such this course is essential in that it will expose students
in the life science career paths to concepts of structure, function and metabolism of biological
molecules including water, functional groups, carbohydrates, lipids and protein structure. The
structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells will be covered. Students targeted
by this course are those who intend to pursue careers in medicine, agriculture, teaching or
engineering.
Course objectives
After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:
1. Describe the structure and functions of biological molecules.
2. Distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
3. Distinguish between animal and plant cells.
4. Describe the cell cycle during cell division.
5. Interpret the cell ultra structure from an electron micrograph.
Course Content
Chemical bonds and Functional groups: definition and structure; functions of functional
groups in Biomolecules; Different bonds (covalent, hydrogen, hydrophobic and hydrophilic,
ionic and van der Waals); Functional groups in biological molecules (hydroxyl group,
methyl, amino, amide, carbonyl, carboxyl, carboxylate).
Water: Structure of water, dipole nature, bond angle; properties that make water an
important molecule for life, universal solvent properties. adhesive and cohesive properties,
high heat capacity, high heat of vaporization, role of transparency in aquatic plant
photosynthesis.
Lipids: Functions of lipids (energy source and storage, cell membrane structure), structures
of glycerol and fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated); formation of the ester bond in the
synthesis of mono-, di- and triglycerides; waxes, sterols and steroids.
Proteins: Functions of proteins; structure and types of amino acids; synthesis and hydrolysis
of the peptide bond; levels of protein structure (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary);
roles of ionic, hydrogen, hydrophobic bonds and disulfide bridges in the structure of proteins.
Method of Teaching:
Lectures Three hours per week
Tutorials One hour of tutorials per week
Laboratory sessions Three hours per week
ASSESSMENT
Continuous Assessment 40%
Theory Quiz 5%
2 test 20%
Laboratory experiments 15%
Final Examination60%
Prescribed readings
Elliot, W. H. and Elliot, D. C. (2004). Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 3rd Edition.
Oxford.
Kent, M. (2000). Advanced Biology. London: Oxford University Press.
Taylor, D. J. et al. (1997). Biological Science. London: Cambridge University Press.
Recommended readings
Campbell, N. A. et al. (2008). Biology. 8thEdition. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin
Cumming.
Kimbali, J. W. (1994). Biology. 6th Edition. Wm.C Brown Publishers.
Phillips, W. D. and Chilton, T. J. (1994). A –level Biology. New York: Oxford University
Press. Roberts, M. et al. (2000). Advanced Biology. London: Nelson,