BS228-5-SP-CO:
Metals in Biology
2016/17
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
15
06 March 2007
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BSC C700 Biochemistry,
BSC C701 Biochemistry (Including Placement Year),
BSC C703 Biochemistry (Including Year Abroad)
The overall aim of this course is to assess the importance of the major trace metals - zinc, copper and iron - in biological systems. Amongst the topics covered are explanations as to how:
- the strong Lewis acidity of the non-redox active zinc(II) cation underpins its roles in enzymes that catalyse hydrolysis, condensation and dehydrogenation reactions;
- ready interconversion between the cuprous and cupric oxidation states allows utilization of copper in proteins that transfer electrons and transport molecular dioxygen, and enzymes that reduce molecular dioxygen and superoxide;
- the chelation of iron by porphyrins yields the highly versatile heme cofactors found in simple electron transfer proteins and oxygen transporting globins as well as at the active site of oxygen metabolizing enzymes
Also included is a detailed description of human iron homeostasis, including a consideration of the potential for and the defences against iron induced toxicity, the structures of the iron transport and storage proteins transferrin and ferritin, the roles of major iron utilizing proteins and enzymes, iron absorption from foodstuffs and dietary supplements in the GI tract, and mechanisms for control of iron metabolism. The course ends with discussion of the design and use of chelating agents for relief of the chronic iron overload that results from treatment of the genetic disorder beta-thalassaemia by repeated blood transfusion.
Learning Outcomes
To pass this module students will need to be able to:
1. describe the structures and functions of a number of proteins and enzymes that contain metal cofactors;
2. discuss homeostasis of metals in mammals, including the potential for and defences against Fe toxicity, the nature of metal storage and transport proteins, metal cation absorption from the GI tract, and regulatory control of metal metabolism;
3. explain how metalloproteins and metalloenzymes may be isolated from cells and how their purities may be assessed;
4. describe how spectroscopic techniques are used to investigate metalloproteins and metalloenzymes;
5. discuss the development of chelating agents as drugs for the relief of diseases associated with metal deficiency or overload.
No information available.
No information available.
No additional information available.
20 x 1 hour lectures, plus 1 revision class before summer exam; 2 x 3 hour practicals or equivalent
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Prac Worksheet (Group 1) |
|
50% |
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
50% |
| Exam |
Main exam: 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
Additional coursework information
Summer Exam: wks 33-36
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Mike Hough
School Undergraduate Office, email: bsugoffice (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)
Yes
No
No
Dr Clive Butler
The University of Exeter
Associate Professor of Microbial Biochemistry
Available via Moodle
Of 46 hours, 18 (39.1%) hours available to students:
28 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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