Unit details

CHEM2005 The Molecules of Life

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 Chemistry; Chemistry - Synthetic major sequences

Content

This unit provides an introduction to the chemistry relevant to biological systems. Topics to be covered include the important classes of biomolecules: amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and oligonucleotides, addressing their stereochemistry, structure, synthesis, biosynthesis (including the function of selected coenzymes) and importance in living systems. The biological activity of important secondary metabolites along with their biosynthetic pathways will be highlighted. The role of metal ions in biology, with an emphasis on the fundamental transition metal chemistry relevant to the mechanisms of metalloenzymes and metal-based drugs, is also explored.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe key knowledge and concepts about organic and inorganic chemistry relevant to biological systems; (2) critically review basic facts, principles and theories of organic and inorganic chemistry; (3) solve problems at the biology/chemistry interface; (4) critically review chemical terminology, nomenclature and conventions associated with the classes of biomolecules; (5) critically review functional groups, their reactivity and interconversion; (6) acquire skills in performing standard laboratory procedures for simple synthetic organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry; (7) use instrumentation and interpretation of spectroscopic data for structure determination of inorganic and organic compounds; and (8) produce clear written communication of results of laboratory work and reading using correct scientific style.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) final examination; (2) quizzes; and (3) laboratories. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the laboratories component.

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

Except where supplementary assessment is not available in a unit, it will be offered to students in all units who:

• Are in good academic standing overall;
• Have passed over half the units taken in the teaching period concerned, except where they are only enrolled in two or less units in the period;
• Have submitted all assessment items in the unit;
• Have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit; and
• No finding of academic misconduct has been made against them in the unit concerned.

Additionally student may apply for supplementary assessment in any unit which is the final unit required for graduation in there course and where they have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Gavin Flematti

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

Successful completion of Unit(s) CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics (ID 1188) and Unit(s) CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity (ID 1191) and Unit(s) CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques

Co-requisites:

Nil

Advisable prior study:

CHEM2003 Chemical Synthesis (ID 1363)

Incompatibility:

Unit(s) CHEM3008 The Molecules of Life (ID 6085) and CHEM2221 Biological and Medicinal Chemistry (ID 6331)

Contact hours

lectures: 2 hours per week; labs: 36 hours across the semester; tutorials: 1 per week

Texts

Clayden, J. et al. Organic Chemistry, 2nd edn: Oxford University Press 2001

Dewick, P. Medicinal Natural Products, John Wiley and Sons, 1997-2008, any edition

Weller, M. et al. Inorganic Chemistry, 6th edn: Oxford University Press 2014