UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit focuses on the central role of proteins in controlling or affecting cell function and expands on information covered in BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell. Cells are complex systems containing many thousands of small molecules and larger macromolecules. This complexity enables cells to divide, grow and respond to external changes, and allows specialised cells of multicellular organisms to perform their particular functions. In this unit, the focus is on how these cellular functions are controlled and regulated by intracellular signals and extracellular signals. Understanding how cells regulate their activities allows insight into how an organism responds to and copes with its environment, nutrients and/or diet, infection and disease. The content of the unit is divided into five major themes: (1) metabolic pathways; (2) organelles and energy production; (3) post-translational signal transduction pathways; (4) transcriptional signal transduction pathways; and (5) the cell cycle—regulation and cancer. Workshops and laboratories are interactive and designed to reinforce theory concepts from supplied learning materials. Techniques and technologies used in modern biological laboratories are introduced and train students in biological laboratory skills.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 2 core unit in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Molecular Life Sciences; Biochemistry of Nutrition major sequences
• Level 2 elective

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) acquire and demonstrate knowledge in the role of proteins in cell function; (2) recognise the organising principle of metabolic pathways is used to understand the complexity of cells containing many thousands of small molecules and macromolecules; (3) describe how extracellular signals and intracellular signals cause a coordinated response by metabolic pathways; (4) explain the molecular mechanisms by which cells receive and process signals received from the external environment; (5) describe how various signals from outside and inside the cell contribute to the regulation of the cell cycle and how defects in these pathways can lead to cancer; and (6) demonstrate skills in current techniques used in biochemical research, problem solving, critical thinking, experimental design and data analysis.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) an examination; (2) continuous assessment of laboratory component (quizzes, reports); and (3) online theory themed quizzes. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Alyssa Van Dreumel

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Successful completion of two Unit(s)

SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or SCIX1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell

and any one

BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry
or CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
or CHEX1002 Chemistry Structure and Reactivity

or Successful completion of

Unit(s) IMED1001 Form and Function
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life

Co-requisites

Enrolment in

Major(s) MJD-BCNDM Biochemistry of Nutrition
or MJD-MLSDM Molecular Life Sciences

and

Unit(s) SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or SCIX1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell

Incompatibility

Unit(s) BIOC2202 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function

Advisable prior study

BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell

Contact hours

Workshops: 1 hour per week
Laboratories: 3 hours per week, as per timetable

Note

BIOC2002 has a compulsory face to face laboratory component, which will need to be completed (at a later date) before a final grade can be awarded for the unit, if the unit is completed in an online mode.